UniCamp starts volunteer recruitment, introduces new programs
Cameron Wu, a fourth-year English student; Daniel Rojo, a third-year political science student; and Ori Nagasaka, a third-year biology students hand out flyers on Bruin Walk.
By Daily Bruin Staff
Feb. 11, 2015 2:02 a.m.
This article has been updated at 12:17 p.m. on Feb. 11.
UniCamp, UCLA’s official student charity, started accepting applications for volunteers for its 80th summer camp this week.
The main goal of the organization is to help Los Angeles youth from low-income backgrounds by providing them with a camping experience where they build relationships with each other and develop skills to succeed as students and leaders.
UniCamp is looking for about 400 to 500 volunteers for this summer’s camp. The organization is looking for people who are dedicated and interested in philanthropy, said Michael Starr, the UCLA UniCamp program director.
If students are accepted as volunteers, they are required to attend multiple training sessions and participate in a week-long camp session over the summer. Volunteers must also raise at least $480 each to help students attend the camp. Last year, UCLA student volunteers raised about $275,000 to help the campers cover costs.
Mason Lai, a second-year microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics student who attended UniCamp as a volunteer last summer, said the camp changed him more than he anticipated.
He said he initially struggled with one camper who would not listen to him, but by the end of the session, Lai said he and the camper grew close and called each other “brother.”
The first camp in 1934 had about 15 volunteers and 40 students. Last summer, more than 1,200 children and 500 UCLA volunteers participated in the seven sessions of camp spread over seven weeks.
UniCamp leadership has introduced a number of new programs into the sessions starting this summer, said Starr, a former Undergraduate Students Association Council general representative. One of the new programs is an initiative aimed at educating campers about mental health and ways to cope with stress, he said.
Another recent program involves teaching campers about habits to lead a healthier lifestyle through a health and nutrition initiative. Campers will also participate in various science, technology, engineering, arts and math programs meant to help their college and professional prospects, Starr said.
Applications are open till Feb. 20 and can be found on the UniCamp website.
