Campers posing with instruments
Volunteering at camp

Past volunteers have done everything from working security shifts at summer music festivals, to teaching drums at camp and photographing our End-of-Camp Extravaganza performance. Whatever your talents, chances are there’s 
a niche for you at Girls Rock Detroit.

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There are three primary, week-long positions that volunteers fill during camp week: counselors, band coaches, and instrument teachers. Each plays a vital role and we ask 
that you only apply to these positions if you are serious 
about making a commitment to the entire week of camp.

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Can’t be there all week? There are also multiple part-time positions available including everything from snack delivery 
to presenting hour-long workshops.

Please contact our Program Coordinator, if you’re interested in presenting a workshop: board@girlsrockdetroit.org.

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Girls Rock Detroit welcomes all volunteers who are women, transgender (of any identity), and/or gender non-conforming, to apply for camp-week positions. We are committed to providing a safe space for everyone, as well as educating staff, volunteers, and community members in order to create an inclusive environment for all. Positions outside of camp week are open to everyone.

Volunteer Application

To be considered for a camp week volunteer role, all applicants must:

PARTICIPATE

in a brief interview with a GRD staff member

ATTEND

a mandatory Volunteer Orientation session

REVIEW

the volunteer manual

COMPLETE

a fingerprint background check

Photo of volunteer and campers posing

Year Round Volunteer Opportunities

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If you can’t commit to camp week itself, don’t worry—we still need you! Whether you can help spread the gospel of GRD from behind a booth at a music festival, or just showing up to support the campers when they rock out at their End-of-Camp Performance Extravaganza, we truly value your support.

 

Email info@girlsrockdetroit.org anytime to see what’s coming up and find out how we can use your help.

 

We’ll also love you if can donate gear (new or used); donate T-shirts, art supplies or other crafty gems for camp-week activities; host a benefit show, or a fundraising event at your place of business; or just make a donation in any amount — because every 
dollar counts!

Apply
Donate

Volunteer Descriptions

Counselor

No music experience required! * Full-time * Being a camp counselor at GRD is similar to being a counselor at any other day camp, but it ROCKS! Your role is one of the most rewarding at camp; it entails mentoring and supervising a band or group of DJs throughout the week! Counselors will be called upon to help with everything from escorting wee rockers to the bathroom during practice, to making sure everyone has a lunch, to facilitating conflict resolution. Counselors should be good at listening, multi-tasking, managing the tween set, having fun, and taking charge when necessary. Camp counselors also partner with a band coach to help campers write and rehearse their original song during band practice, as well as help model a cohesive and supportive creative environment. [Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm + Saturday showcase] 40 hrs



Jr. Counselor

No music experience required! * Full-time * The job is the same as above, but this position is for 16 and 17 year olds with a rock camp past or equivalent experience! Each junior counselor will be paired with a senior counselor for the week and work with them to mentor a band together. Junior counselors are expected to work as roadies and foodies as needed, and have the opportunity to teach the camp theme song to campers. [Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm + Saturday showcase] 40 hrs



Instrument Instructor

Music experience required * Part-time * There are 5 instruments taught at camp; guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and DJ turntables. Instrument Instructors should be proficient in their instrument and have a broad enough knowledge to be able to break down fundamentals in a language relevant to the tween-to-teen set. Instructors work with groups of 3 to 4 girls at a time and encouraged to plan with other instruments to ensure that the girls are learning at a similar pace. [*Notes: Instrument Instructors are sometimes paired together as co-instructors to teach larger groups of girls. DJ instruction is also conducted 2:30-4:30pm daily. This position combines well with band coach, support crew, or workshop leader for a full day of volunteering!] Mon-Fri, 10:30am-12:30pm] 10 hrs



Band Coach

Music experience required * Part-time * A Band Coach’s primary role is to help a band of campers write one song, which they will perform at the Showcase Concert at the end of the week. Band Coaches work with a counselor to help the girls with everything from plugging in to deciding their band name, from early songwriting stages to their final dress rehearsal. Coaches should have some experience with songwriting and playing a traditional rock instrument (guitar, bass, keys or drums) in a band.
[*Note: This position combines well with instrument instructor, gear crew, or workshop leader for a full day of volunteering!] [Mon-Fri, 2:30-4:30pm + Saturday showcase] 10 hrs



Workshop Leader

Separate workshop application/proposal required * Part-time * Workshops are 1-hour long sessions that feature guest speakers from the community who promote creativity, collaboration and self-expression by facilitating conversation or interactive activities that fall under our values of artistic experimentation, fearless expression, thoughtful analysis, and/or imaginative action. Workshops do not need to be focused on music! Examples include: songwriting, improvisation, recording, instrument building, self-defense, yoga, consent, zines, history, intersectionality, gender identity, social change, etc. [Mon-Fri, 9:30am or 1:30pm] 1 hr



Receptionist

* No music experience required! * Flexible time commitment From the front desk, the receptionist assists with the check-in and out of campers every day, monitors visitors, gives directions, answers questions, and sells showcase tickets & merch. Volunteers that work reception are responsible for checking in campers as they arrive at camp. An attendance sheet with a list of campers’ names is provided. Oftentimes parents or guardians have questions that can be fielded at the reception desk. [Mon-Fri, 8:00-9:30am and 4:15-5:45pm] 7.5 - 15 hrs



Gear Crew

No music experience required * Part-time * Flexible time commitment * These super-duper important volunteers keep camp week under control and get the show on the road! Count on our gear crew to test, swap out, transport, and even repair camper gear and equipment. They’ll be behind the scenes during rehearsals as well as at the final showcase moving amps, setting up drum kits, and grabbing cables. Music experience is not required but is definitely helpful! [Mon-Fri, 9am-12pm or 1-4pm; Pre/Post-camp loading + showcase]



Foodies

No music experience required * Part-time * Flexible time commitment * Assembling healthy breakfasts, lunches and snacks so all of our rockers can stay focused is crucial!! Foodies make sure that coffee is made, dietary restrictions are monitored, and every camper and volunteer gets their fair share of yummy. Foodies may occasionally be asked to pick local lunch, coffee and snack donations. Feeding people at camp makes everybody happy. Be a food fairy… it’s fun! [Mon-Fri, 8am-12pm or 12pm-4pm; Pre-camp loading]



Before/After care

Part-time * Flexible time commitment * Previous child care experience preferred At camp, we are committed to providing before & after care to those families who need some extra time for drop-off and pick-up. These super important, sun-shiny faces are the first to greet parents and welcome girls to camp, and also bid adieu at the end of the day, making sure each rocker gets home safely! They keep track of camper belongings at our lost-and-found, and also make sure that every kid has a ride home with a familiar face. [Mon-Fri, 7:45-9:00am or 4:45-6:15pm]



Showcase Team

Part-time * Flexible time commitment Showcases are exciting days for our community to come together, see camper bands perform original songs, and celebrate. They are also important days for getting new folks interested in Girls Rock Detroit and raising funds to support our ongoing work. Here is a list of some of the roles that need to be filled at the showcase: Gear Haulers, Merch Sellers, Stage Manager, Welcomers and Door crew, Videographer, Photographer(s) and Camper Wranglers. We ask that all Band Coaches and counselors attend the Showcase if possible. (no music experience required, except for Stage Manager.) [Saturday; 11am-5pm]



Street Team

Help during camp (and year-round!) promoting showcases, fundraiser events and recruiting both campers and volunteers through canvassing with paper flyers as well as online and social media promotion.



Photographer

Do you have experience shooting live events and bands? Take band portraits and capture the magic of rock camp! Female, trans and non-binary folks preferred. [Thursday 2:30-4:30pm]



Social Worker/Counselor/Therapist

Support camp staff and volunteers by being available to discuss tricky situations and feelings. Social workers and therapists are also helpful to have around to help out with group/band dynamics and conflict resolution between campers. Female or non-binary folks preferred. [Mon-Fri; propose your own office hours!]



Nurse/Doctor

Camp regulations require that one certified nurse or registered doctor be on call throughout camp week. The person will most often (but not always) be physically present at camp and any campers complaining of aches/pains should be sent immediately to this volunteer, who will most likely be stationed at the front desk. [Mon-Fri, ON CALL]



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