What is a Mentor?
A THOUSAND SUMMERS is committed to providing support to campers and their families through the Mentor Program.
The Mentor provides support to the Campership applicant and their family throughout the Campership application process. They assist award recipients in preparation for camp, advising through the Capstone Service Project requirements (when applicable), and assist with post camp requirements. The Mentor plays an essential role in the ‘check and balance’ system A THOUSAND SUMMERS has developed to ensure we are serving those for whom the Campership was designed.
Mentors may be veteran volunteers for A THOUSAND SUMMERS that work within a school or partnering youth organization or a person selected by the applicant who is willing to become an A THOUSAND SUMMERS volunteer.
Download our flier outlining the BENEFITS OF BECOMING A MENTOR.
All A THOUSAND SUMMERS Mentors must be screened and approved by completing the Volunteer Application.
Who can become a Mentor?
Someone who is an adult professional who knows the applicant well and regularly observes the applicant with his/her peers. We find mentors are most successful if they have a background in the youth development field (teacher, school counselor, principal, youth leader, coach, scout leader, etc.).
Mentors are most successful if they live in the applicant’s geographic hometown to assist with logistics.
Mentors will be able to give up to two hours per month to support the applicant/camper family through the application process, Capstone Service Project (when applicable), camp preparation and post camp requirements over multiple years.
Mentors may NOT be related to the applicant.
Mentors must complete the A THOUSAND SUMMERS Volunteer application and be approved as an A THOUSAND SUMMERS Volunteer.
What are the responsibilities of a Mentor?
A Mentor is asked to:
- Complete the Volunteer Application the first year they serve and update contact information each new year
- Support the Campership applicant and family through the Campership Application process
- Complete a Mentor Statement form for applicant yearly
- Assist awarded campers with camp enrollment and preparation for camp
- Advise camper through the Capstone Program, when applicable
- Advise camper through the Compass Program, when applicable
- Assist with camper and family post-camp requirements
- Encourage camper to reapply for next summer funding
What is the Mentor Program timeline?
SEPTEMBER
- First time Mentor completes a Volunteer Application
- Returning Mentor updates contact information in Volunteer Account
- Campership Applications available online September 1st (hard copy available upon request)
- Assist applicant and family with application and forms, as needed
- Complete a Mentor Statement for applicant
OCTOBER
- Capstone Campership applications (only for 15 year old renewal campers) due October 15th
NOVEMBER
- Renewal Campership applications due November 1st
- Contact Capstone camper to begin support for service project, if applicable
DECEMBER
- First Summer Campership applications due December 1st
NOVEMBER-JANUARY
- Campership decision letter and Campership Agreement emailed to the family and copied to the Mentor
- Confirm with family that Campership Agreement was returned
- Discuss contacting ATS to set up payment plan for family portion of tuition
JANUARY-FEBRUARY
- Confirm family started camp enrollment on camp website
- Late First Summer and Renewal Campership applications considered for waitlist
MARCH
- Discuss transportation plan to get camper to camp
APRIL
- Review camp Packing List with family and assist with locating needed items. Discuss Equipment Assistance Program
- Assist camper with Compass Program, where relevant
MAY
- Confirm camp enrollment complete. Due to camp by May 1st
- Verify all travel arrangements are in place
JUNE-AUGUST
Meet with camper and family one week before camp start date to verify:
- Camp requirements in place
- Packing List complete
- Transportation and baggage details
JULY-AUGUST
- Meet with camper and family upon camper return to assist with post camp requirements due within 10 days of camper’s return
SEPTEMBER
- Encourage camper to reapply for next summer funding