IN-PERSON CAMPS
Mentors, Assistant Mentors, & Squad Leaders

Mentors, Assistant Mentors (AM), and Squad Leaders spend the week (though some camps can accommodate shorter-term commitments) at a camp working with outstanding high school students from around the world. These individuals are assigned to groups of students to help guide, train, educate, coach, lead, and mentor the campers through each day’s activities. Mentors and AMs will work with the staff and students from first call in the morning until lights out and be with the campers 24 hours per day for the week of the camp. Additionally, mentors and AMs are asked to stay in contact with their campers after the camp is over, continue in the mentoring process, and assist in guiding the student in their future academic and professional choices.

Support Loggies

Loggies spend the week working to provide the logistical materials and supplies for all camp activities. They serve as back up support for the mentors, Assistant Mentors, and Squad Leaders. Shorter term commitments may be possible.

Criteria for Mentors:

1. Ideally a SAME member, or member of another professional organization, sustaining member or strategic partner staff, or a teacher with a STEM background
2. Valid driver’s license
3. Must be able to successfully pass background check
4. Record of active participation in SAME or another organization.
5. Obtain an endorsement from the organization sponsoring you, such as the Post President, Post STEM Coordinator, or a Fellow of your SAME Post or another leader in your organization.
6. Have experience in mentoring/coaching young students
7. Preference is given to mentors that can spend the entire week at camp. However, the priority is to have mentors that are FULLY engaged (mentors and assistant mentors are encouraged to minimize distractions from mobile devices, emails, phone calls, etc.), so shorter-term commitments may be possible.
8. Experienced and working in the STEM field, including teachers – we encourage a very broad and diverse set of STEM backgrounds to provide better exposure for the campers
9. Be physically fit – you will be on your feet much of the day

Criteria for Assistant Mentors, Squad Leaders, and Support Loggies:

1. Have experience in mentoring/coaching young people
2. Available for the duration of the camp
3. Be physically fit – you will be on your feet most all day
4. Must be able to successfully pass background check

In addition, to apply for a position at the Air Force Academy camp, you must be:

1. College/Academy student in a STEM major
2. Enrolled in a ROTC program (preferred but not required)

Staff Positions

Some camps need individuals to support the camp in a staff or leadership role. If considering volunteering, you should contact the specific camp to assess what the needs are. Positions include:

• Event Leaders — Lead an event by providing basic instruction, guidance and feedback on the unit'’ execution of the event.
• Logistics, transportation, curriculum assistant, first aid

Criteria for Staff Positions

1. Ideally a SAME member, or member of another professional organization, sustaining member or strategic partner staff, or a teacher with a STEM background
2. Record of active participation in SAME or another organization.
3. Valid driver’s license
4. Must be able to successfully pass background check
5. Obtain an endorsement from the organization sponsoring you, such as the Post President or a Fellow of your SAME Post or another leader in your organization
6. Have experience in volunteering or working in a camp environment.
7. Some staff positions may require a full week-long commitment. The priority is to have staff that are FULLY engaged (staff are encouraged to minimize distractions from mobile devices, emails, phone calls, etc.). Shorter-term assignments may be arranged. Some event positions are for a specific period.
8. Experienced and working in the STEM field, including teachers – we encourage a very broad and diverse set of STEM backgrounds to provide better exposure for the campers
9. Be physically fit – you will be on your feet much of the day. Those engaged as logistics support should be able to occasionally lift 50 lbs.

Application Process (Deadline to submit: TBD)

1. Submit an application using the link below.
2. Completed applications will be forwarded to the individual camp directors who will make the final selections.
3. Camp directors will contact the selected applicants to coordinate travel instructions and go over roles and responsibilities.

SUBMIT YOUR MENTOR/STAFF APPLICATION HERE

If you have questions about serving as a mentor/staff, contact the specific camp director, or email Jeannine Finton, STEM Coordinator, jfinton@same.org.

PLEASE NOTE: Mentors/Assistant Mentors/Squad Leaders/Loggies are encouraged to ask their Post, organization, or firm to fully support or mitigate their transportation cost. SAME will help connect you with a local Post for travel assistance. Airport pick-up, meals and lodging will be provided.