Who do I email if I have questions? ncphysiocamp@gmail.com

How can I help the Physiology Camp? What we need most is volunteers. History has shown us that the more volunteers we have for a camp (regardless of their healthcare knowledge) then the better the camp goes. More volunteers allows for more one-on-one student interaction, smaller groups, less equipment broken, and a smoother camp overall. If you can help as a volunteer then please reach out to us!  You can also help the Physiology Camp by supporting us through donating new or used equipment, models, books, and supplies.

Do I need to know anything about the healthcare field to volunteer? Not at all! It’s a plus if you do, but it is not a requirement. If you’re unfamiliar with the topic we will be teaching, we will assign you to work with one activity the entire time. We’ve had plenty of volunteers in the past that have done this.

What do I need to wear when volunteering? If you are affiliated with ECU and have an ECU t-shirt then you can wear that with jeans. If not, then wear what you feel most comfortable in. We ask that you not show up in gym shorts, but otherwise we are fairly laid back with our dress code.

Is there an application to be a volunteer? Nope! Just email us or fill out our volunteer sign-up form if you would like to be put on the list to serve as a Camp Volunteer. If you would like to be an undergrad year-round intern, then there is an application process. Although there is a selection process for Camp Leaders among our pool of volunteers, there is no specific application for becoming a Camp Leader.

I would like to volunteer at a specific location. Is it okay if I do not want to volunteer at certain locations? Of course! Many volunteers actually stick to volunteering at one specific location. This allows the volunteer to get to know the students better over time, giving a stronger connection with the students through continuity.

I have a group of people interested in volunteering with the Physiology Camp. Can we all volunteer together? Yes! We like for our volunteers to get along and know each other. In fact, we encourage clubs, companies, coworkers, and schools to sign up as a group.

When I (or my group) volunteer do I go to the same location each time, or to different locations? Either one, there are advantages to both options. Each location we visit is slightly different. If you can sign up to volunteer at multiple locations, it allows you to have a broader impact throughout the community. Volunteers that are willing to attend multiple locations really help to fill in the gaps when we are low on volunteers at a specific location. On the other hand, you can also volunteer at the same location (or same few locations) each time, which allows you to make a closer connection with the students there. If we have groups volunteering together then we often suggest they visit the same location each time.

I want to volunteer, but I have a few more questions I want to ask before I sign up. How can I get more information? If you would like more information then feel free to email us at ncphysiocamp@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!

What is the time commitment of a volunteer? The time commitment is what you make it. You can volunteer with us once a week, once a month, or once a year! Feel free to include this information in your introductory email to us.

Where can I sign up? The sign-up form is linked here!

What are job options in the healthcare field? Good question! The healthcare field is broader than many realize. Within most specialties there are even more branches of opportunity. Here is a web page that explains those opportunities more in depth:
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/healthcare-medical-job-titles-2061494

What are some healthy food choices I can eat as snacks? At the camp we prioritize healthy snacks like sliced up green peppers, cucumbers, apples, oranges, bananas, pretzels, grapes, carrots, and more! Here is a web page that has even more examples of healthy snacks: https://snacknation.com/blog/guide/healthy-snacks/

What are some ways I can exercise without going to the gym? You can get great exercise by playing with a ball or Frisbee outside. You could work on dribbling a basketball, juggling a soccer ball, or even just walking. If you want to stay inside while exercising a good option is turning up the music and dancing around the house (great cardio!). If you’d like to spice it up you can even hold some light dumbbells while you dance to help increase muscle tone. Household chores such as sweeping, dusting, and general cleaning is also an easy way to get your blood flowing and move around. These are just a few ways you can get your exercise in! Here is a web page that gives more ideas and information:
https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/no-gym-required-how-to-get-fit-at-home#1

What can I do to prepare for the healthcare field? This question depends on what field you are going into. In general, it is always useful to get volunteer hours, such as at a hospital, nursing home, or with other organizations (like the Red Cross or the Physiology Camp). Volunteering or shadowing give you experience and on-the-job training for you to learn more about the healthcare field. Shadowing is when you follow around someone in the field that you are interested in. For example, if you are interested in becoming a doctor, you follow a doctor around to see what their job is like. Both shadowing and volunteering also look great on a resume when applying for college, internships, and graduate school. Other ways you can prepare for a healthcare field can be found on this web page:
https://www.angelo.edu/dept/biology/prehealth_professions/preparing.php

Can my parents come with me to the Physiology Camp? Yes! We welcome your parents to join us at any of our camps. We simply ask that if they are going to be there that they sign up as a volunteer for the camp. To do this, simply send us an email stating that the parent wishes to come to the camp that their child is attending and would like to sign up to be a volunteer (please state the dates and times you will be there). Please give us at least a weeks notice.

How much will it cost to have the camp come to our location? Nothing! We come to you for free.

Where can I sign up to have the camp come to our location? Please just send us an email at ncphysiocamp@gmail.com stating when you would like us to come and approximately how many students you have.

What locations does the Physiology Camp visit? In the past we have held Physiology Camps at schools, churches, and after school care programs such as the 4-H club, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, Operation Sunshine, and more. If you would like the Physiology Camp to come to your location, then please contact us via email. The number of locations that we visit is limited by the number of volunteers we have. In general, we visit the most locations over the summer, though we do visit a few throughout the school year. If you are home schooled or are not at an after school care location but would still like for the Physiology Camp to visit, then we may be able to accommodate if you have a group of 6 or more students.

We are having a health fair or career fair at our school. Does the Physiology Camp visit for these types of events? Yes! We have done a few career fairs in the past. Our only limiting factor is making sure we can get volunteers for the event. Please email us in advance to ensure that we can schedule appropriately.

How long does the Physiology Camp last? The length of the camp depends on the location. Some locations hold the camp for a couple hours over a two day period. Other locations ask us to stay for the duration of a week, and others have asked us to come once a month on a regular basis. We are flexible and happy to provide accommodations when possible.

Is the camp only in English? We have previously had a Spanish and ASL Sign Language translator/teacher at a Camp. Outlines are currently being developed to include more Spanish! If you are interested in holding the camp in Spanish or ASL please just let us know when you contact us!

How far in advance should I email to set up dates for the Physiology Camp? In order to have enough time to find materials and volunteers, we prefer to have a few months advance notice if you would like us to visit your location, and a few weeks notice of the specific date and time. The sooner you email us, then the more likely we are able to find volunteers to accommodate.  

We have staff that works at our after school care program/school. Can they participate in the Physiology Camp? Yes! If you have extra staff that would like to participate in the Physiology Camp then we would be happy to have them. Just let us know at least a week ahead of time so we can adjust the amount of volunteers we bring.

I’ve heard that you give out books and sporting equipment to students for free. Can our organization receive free equipment? Unfortunately, we do not have a big budget. In fact, currently we have no budget. Anything that has been given away in the past (food, books, equipment) has been bought and donated by the volunteers at that camp. That being said, we do want to encourage student’s interest of their health and of the healthcare field to extend beyond the Physiology Camp. If we do hear of a student who shows a lot of interest in a book or a particular piece of equipment, we do try to find a way to allow them to keep it or get them something similar. This isn’t something that should be expected or mentioned to students, it is more of a surprise if funds are available.