CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!!!  

10th Annual

Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp

A Decade of Stars! 
The Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp is a camp that provides life-changing opportunities for musical expression, movement, performance and social interaction for all people with special needs and their siblings in a welcoming summer camp setting focused on ability and inclusion.

Photo by:  Judy Winter

  Camp Dates:  June 14th-16th, 2012
 

We have a wonderful and huge event coming up this summer!  It's our 10th Annual Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp.  We are so excited to be celebrating 10 years - "A Decade of Stars!"  We would love to have you join us for this CELEBRATION!

For those of you who have not yet been involved in the camp, it is a fun-filled, music-filled 3-day event honoring the life of Eric Winter and celebrating the ABILITIES that as people, everyone has!  Cindy Edgerton, the camp dean, met Eric about 13 years ago when he enrolled in music therapy.  He was one outstanding individual who loved music and made great strides in his music therapy sessions!  Unfortunately, Eric passed away in 2003.

Because of his great love for and enjoyment of music, as well as the incredible dedication of his parents, Dick and Judy Winter, this music therapy camp became a reality.

This year, camp will be held (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) June 14th, 15th and 16th from 8:30-3:30 at the Timberlane campus of Michigan State University's Community Music School.  We already have camp staff, who will be running the groups, but there are many other important people needed, who help make this camp successful...  Our VOLUNTEERS!!

We need many volunteers to help in the group settings.  There will be seven full day music therapy camp groups and one half day early childhood group, all divided according to age (adult groups, adolescent groups and children). These groups need MANY volunteers to help them run smoothly.  As a volunteer, you need to be energetic and positive throughout the entire day, which isn't always easy!!  You do not have to plan anything or have any music knowledge or skill - leave that to the music therapists!  Basically, as a volunteer, you have to help the individuals experience success in the activity that the music therapist is implementing.  Also, as a volunteer, you may be taking children to the individual sessions, to the bathroom, to the "down-time" room and possibly helping individuals who just need a break from the group session.

Priority will be given to individuals who are able to volunteer all 3-days, but please let us know if you only have a few dates available because we have many volunteer positions to fill!  Linked to this email are two forms.  One is the volunteer application which needs to be sent back to Jaime Merritt as soon as possible.  The other form is a background check which needs to be sent back to the Office of Rick Management (see form for information).  Every individual who is planning on volunteering for the2012 Eric 'RicStar' Music Therapy Camp MUST fill out both forms.  If you are a returning volunteer, past forms do not apply, so please fill out the 2012 forms.  

If you are interested in volunteering but are from out of town, do not worry!  Housing for volunteers typically is between a host and the volunteers.  If you are willing to be a volunteer or camper host to house someone during camp, please let me know.  There is a place on the volunteer application to check if you are willing to be a host for a camper or volunteer.  In addition, if you are looking for housing and are in need of a host to stay with, please let me know that as well.  We will do the best we can to provide you with what you need.    

Email Jaime Merritt at merrit33@msu.edu with the forms and with any questions about volunteering.  Please let her know the exact days that you will be able to be there.  This is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn more about music therapy and to gain experience in interacting with children and adults with and without special needs.  If you already talked to Jaime about volunteering, please fill out the attached volunteer application and send it to her anyways.  She needs to form her volunteer list so she can begin organizing all of the WONDERFUL volunteers that make camp a success every year!  

Quick Link to the forms:

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

BACKGROUND CHECK - you have to scroll down the page to download the word document 

Also, please FIND US ON FACEBOOK!  This will be a great place for you to get more information as camp nears and to connect with other volunteers!   

MANY THANKS!

Sincerely,

Jaime Merritt

merrit33@msu.edu 

Eric 'RicStar' Music Therapy Camp Volunteer Coordinator   

Photo by:  Judy Winter