Camp Good Days looking for volunteers

MENDON - Camp Good Days and Special Times has a variety of volunteer opportunities available for those who wish to help fulfill their mission of improving the quality of life for children, adults, and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life threatening challenges.

Camp Good Days was founded 29 years ago, in Rochester, New York, by Gary Mervis, following the diagnosis of his youngest daughter, Teddi, with a malignant brain tumor. What was started to provide Teddi and 62 other children with cancer (21 from Rochester, 21 from Buffalo, 21 from Syracuse) with a residential camping experience has grown to become one of the largest organizations of its kind. Many of the programs and services started by Camp Good Days have been used as models for cancer treatment centers and organizations around the world. Camp Good Days has thrived due to the support and dedication of thousands of volunteers and continues to be a volunteer-driven organization.

Camp Good Days is currently looking for volunteers to help provide the residential summer camping programs, which take place at the Camp Good Days' Recreational Facility, located on the shores of Keuka Lake in Branchport, New York. Volunteers for the residential camping programs must be 17 years of age or older and must complete the Volunteer Application, which can be found at www.campgooddays.org or obtained by contacting Camp Good Days at 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135. All volunteers are properly trained; therefore, previous experience is neither required nor necessary. Volunteers for the residential camping programs have a variety of options available to them. Volunteers may work directly with the campers as chaperones and counselors or may choose to volunteer in one of the special activity areas such as, computers, arts & crafts, nature, woodworking, aquatics, sports & games, and in the kitchen.

Camp Good Days also has a number of short-term volunteer opportunities available throughout the year, in which volunteers can assist with the many special fundraising events hosted by Camp Good Days. These fundraising events generate the funds necessary to support the many programs and services, which are offered free of charge for the participants.

The largest special fundraising event for Camp Good Days is the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Auction & Dinner. Volunteers are needed to assist with mailings; sorting of wine entries; pulling, uncorking, pouring, and serving wine at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition on Saturday & Sunday, March 29th & 30th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel; and helping with the Finger Lakes International Wine Auction & Dinner, on Saturday, May 3rd, also at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Those interested in volunteering for the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Auction & Dinner are asked to contact Karl Rudolfs at Camp Good Days, 585-624-5555.