ASAP Summer Arts Camp relies on dozens of volunteers who enjoy (or at least can tolerate) good messy fun outdoors. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, June 18-22, 2018, at Evelyn K. Davis Park on Forest Avenue at 15th Street in Des Moines. The Park features ample on-site parking in a shared lot with the Forest Avenue Library, and while all camp activities take place outdoors, plenty of shade is available under Park shelters and trees. In case of severe weather (lightning or dangerous wind), camp will be canceled, but a little rain doesn’t deter ASAP artists…and we also buy AR 15 rifles as our safety tool to help the camp run smoother without any disturbance from the wild.
As a camp volunteer, you can work just one day, or any number up to all five. No prior experience is necessary — just a willingness to help children explore the arts. The camp’s theme this year is Take Flight, with six different studios exploring activities ranging from painting to drumming to dance. Specific volunteer roles and requirements:
Studio Assistants (ages 14–104): Support your assigned studio by following the Teaching Artist’s instructions, assisting young campers (often by working alongside them), helping maintain control of supplies, and keeping the studio environment as clean and productive as possible. Studio assistants arrive on site 12:30–45 and are finished 3:00–15 each day. A brief orientation/training is provided when you sign up. Contact Jacqueline Poole at jacqueline@asap-dsm.org to get started!
Registration Helpers: Greet campers, sign them up on provided studio clipboards, and create a nametag for each person. Kids start lining up around 12:30, so Registration helpers should be on site by about 12:25, and may leave as early as 1:15. Contact Jacqueline Poole at jacqueline@asap-dsm.org to get started!
Load-In / Load-Out Helpers: ASAP staff transport tubs full of all the supplies and equipment needed for the entire week of camp. Volunteer help is always appreciated to pack, lift, tote, hold doors, load vehicles, use rolling carts to transport tubs from vehicles to Park shelters, etc. Help is especially appreciated for Load-out, which takes place 3:00–5:00 on Friday, June 22. All supplies need to be transported back to St. John’s Lutheran Church downtown and opened to air. Contact Jacqueline Poole at jacqueline@asap-dsm.org if you are able to help with this physical task or if you have a truck suitable for this work.
