Mustangs Ahead- Gabby Zevallos
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL)- Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue is hosting leadership community service opportunities for Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) Mustangs who want to work with children and animals.
A community service opportunity is opening for students who enjoy working with children and animals. Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue is currently seeking four to five camp counselors for its upcoming children’s camp program.
The camp’s programs will run across four separate one-week sessions this summer. The camp dates are June 8, June 15, June 22 and July 5. The daily hours are 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Counselors are not required to commit for all four weeks; however, they must be available for the full five-day schedule during any week they choose to volunteer.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old, have reliable transportation, and feel comfortable working with animals and children.
Interested students are encouraged to stop by Room 566 to pick up an application. Applications must be returned to science teacher Tracy Bohlmann no later than May 8. Additional online volunteer registration will also be required.
Bohlmann explained that she created this connection with Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue as she has fostered Nate’s Animal Rescue for over ten years. She brings kittens and puppies that are either too young or sick to be adopted and cares for them until they are healthy and old enough to be spayed or neutered before they become available for adoption.
“Additionally, I have volunteered for various community events, assisted with surgeries, and pretty much anything they need done. About five years ago, I began working as the summer camp director,” stated Bohlmann.
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The volunteer application stated counselors will supervise groups of 6-10 children ages 8-12 and assist with activities such as games, crafts, snacks, and outdoor events. The camp will also involve working closely with puppies, kittens, and adult dogs.
Volunteers will have hands-on experience with shelter tasks such as bathing puppies, making enrichment toys and treats, and day to day shelter operations such as feeding, veterinary care, and adoptions.
Because many activities take place outdoors, counselors should be prepared for hot weather and the possibility of getting wet or dirty. Camp T-shirts and daily snacks will also be provided.
This volunteer position offers students the chance to earn service hours while gaining hands-on leadership experience in a unique setting. However, spaces are limited, and not all applicants are guaranteed a counselor role.
Students will get the opportunity to improve their skills in leadership, customer service, and time management. They must demonstrate initiative and commitment. The counselors are responsible for guiding the interaction between the children and the animals and keeping both the children and the animals safe and be able to respond appropriately to unexpected circumstances.
Bohlmann emphasized that the campers have the opportunity to learn about how the shelter works and what the animals can go through on their journeys to their forever homes and get hands on time with the animals at the shelter.