Be a Camp Mentor or Camp Staff
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) annual STEM Engineering & Construction Camps offer Young Members, Non-commissioned Officers, teachers, strategic partner staff, and individuals with a STEM background a valuable opportunity to support tomorrow’s leaders and STEM professionals.
The success of the SAME Camp Program depends on the experience and talents contributed by mentors, staff, cadets, college students, and other volunteers that come from our many SAME Posts and partner organizations. They fill critical mentor and staff roles.
As part of the 2023 camp season, SAME is recruiting for the following positions:
- Mentors – 8-20 per camp
- Assistant Mentors/Squad Leaders – 4 to 10 per camp
- Support Loggies – 3 to 10 per camp
- Staff – 3 to 10 per camp
2023 STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps
*Mentors must be on site one day prior to the dates listed below.
U.S. Army Camp
Vicksburg, Miss. • June 11-17, 2023
U.S. Marine Corps Camp
Camp Lejeune, N.C. • June 18-24, 2023
U.S. Air Force Academy Camp
Colorado Springs, Colo. • July 6-12, 2023
U.S. Air Force Camp
Scott Air Force Base, Ill. • July 16-22, 2023
U.S. Navy Camp
Port Hueneme, Calif. • July 16-22, 2023
How to Become a Mentor
There is an application form that must be filled out by interested individuals.
Complete the application package for a specific camp location;
Send an e-copy of your application to the Senior Mentor listed for the camp or the SAME Camps POC.
Travel and transportation to the site will be covered in part. Meals and accommodation will be provided. In 2023, the SAME Foundation has limited funds to subsidize.
Deadline to apply: May 15, 2023
Questions?
Contact Steve Taylor, SAME Camps POC, at staylor@same.org.
Mentor/Staff Application FormWhat Being a Camp Mentor is Like?
Kate Staebell, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (sponsored by the Rock Island Post), shares her reflections as a 2019 mentor for the SAME Army E&C Camp. (FYI, she also was a camper in 2013!)
Do you know someone that would make a good mentor or staff? Have them submit an application.
Mentors & Staff Application Instructions
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
- Ideally an SAME member, or member of another professional organization, sustaining member or strategic partner staff, or a teacher with a STEM background
- Valid driver’s license
- Must be able to successfully pass background check
- Record of active participation in SAME or another organization
- 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
- Have experience in mentoring/coaching young students
- 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
- 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
- Be physically fit – you will be on your feet much of the day
Criteria for Assistant Mentors, Squad Leaders, and Support Loggies
- Have experience in mentoring/coaching young people
- Available for the duration of the camp
- Be physically fit – you will be on your feet most all day
- Must be able to successfully pass background check
In addition, to apply for a position at the Air Force Academy Camp, you must be:
- College/Academy student in a STEM major
- 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 support
Criteria for Staff Positions
- Ideally an SAME member, or member of another professional organization, sustaining member or strategic partner staff, or a teacher with a STEM background
- Record of active participation in SAME or another organization
- Valid driver’s license
- Must be able to successfully pass background check
- 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
- Have experience in volunteering or working in a camp environment
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Submit an application using the link below
- Completed applications will be forwarded to the individual camp directors who will make the final selections
- Camp directors will contact the selected applicants to coordinate travel instructions and go over roles and responsibilities
If you have questions about serving as a mentor/staff, contact the specific camp director, or email SAME Camps POC: Steve Taylor.
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.
SAME Camp mentoring is Fun! It is rewarding! You WILL learn something, you WILL gain something and most important you WILL make an impact on the lives of more than just the ~100 campers in attendance!
Master Sgt. Amanda Wakefield, USAF, (2015 USAFA Camp Mentor)