Dear Volunteer,

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the 2015 Special Olympics New Jersey Camp Shriver program. Camp Shriver volunteers are "Unified Partners", playing and participating alongside Special Olympics New Jersey athletes. Being a Unified Partner with Camp Shriver is not only a wonderful opportunity to make new friends while sharing a camp experience with Special Olympics athletes, it is also a privilege and much more than "service hours". 

Before completing this application, we ask that you think about why you want to volunteer at Camp Shriver. If your only motivation is to fulfill your school service requirement, Camp Shriver may not be the right fit for you.

But, if your answer reflects a genuine interest and enthusiasm about spending time and playing inclusive sports with Special Olympics New Jersey athletes, we encourage you to complete the application! Many of our past Unified Partners have said that their experience with Camp Shriver helped shape their college and career paths. Many Unified Partners return each year, some even obtain paid counselor positions with Special Olympics New Jersey after hthey have volunteered for several years.

Camp Shriver spans six weeks and each week, as many as 85 athletes participate in camp. The age and ability level of each camper varies, but in general, all are genuinely thrilled to come to Camp and look forward to it all year long. One of the main reasons our athletes love camp is because our Unified Partners and staff make it inclusive and fun for all!

To be considered for a position as a Unified Partner, you are required to complete the online registration and are strongly encouraged to attend an orientation session on Thursday, June 25th at 6:00pm at the SONJ Sports Complex in Lawrenceville. Due to the volume of applicants we receive, those who attend this pre-camp orientation may be given preference over those applicants who do not attend.

Volunteer - Unified Partner Requirements:
Applicant must be:

• At least 14 years of age
• Willingness to adhere to the camp rules of conduct/dress code
• Available and willing to commit to the entire week(s) applying for
• Attendance at either the June 25th orientation session or the orientation session offered on the Monday of your first week *Priority may be given to those who attend the 6/25 session
• Willingness to ethusiastically participate in camp activities

Applicants must commit to Camp Shriver in full-week increments. Below you will find the possible session at which you may volunteer.

Day Camp Shriver

• Special Olympics New Jersey athletes ages 12 and above
• Monday through Friday - 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Monday, July 6 - Friday, July 10 - Soccer
Monday, July 13 - Friday, July 17 - Basketball
Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24 - Soccer
Monday, July 27 - Friday, July 31 - Basketball

Twilight Camp Shriver

• Special Olympics New Jersey athletes ages 16 and above
• Monday through Thursday - 5:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Monday, July 13 - Thursday, July 16 - Basketball
Monday, July 20 - Thursday, July 23 - Soccer
Monday, July 27 - Thursday, July 30 - Basketball
Monday, August 3 - Thursday, August 6 - Soccer

Developmental Day Camp Shriver

• Special Olympics New Jersey athletes between ages 6 - 12
• Monday through Thursday - 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Monday, August 3 - Thursday, August 6 - Sport TBD
Monday, August 10 - Thursday, August 13 - Sport TBD

Please recognize that by submitting your registration, you are committing to volunteer for the duration of the event(s) you selected. If you are unable to commit to the entire time slot, please do not register for that event. In the event you sign up and fail to fulfill obligations of staying for the duration, it may affect your status in volunteering for future Special Olympics New Jersey events.

Questions?? Please contact Volunteer Services at VOLUNTEER@sonj.org.

Special Olympics New Jersey is supported by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Department of Recreation.