Alumni families return for service projects with the Family Volunteer Camp

Author: William G. Gilroy

2013 Family Volunteer Camp

University of Notre Dame alumni and their families are returning to campus again this summer to take part in the 16th Family Volunteer Camp, a program that invites alumni to reconnect with the University and introduce their children to the University’s mission of service to others.

The camp, organized by the Alumni Association, invites alumni families to campus to spend a week doing volunteer work at community partner sites and to reconnect with the University of Notre Dame and each other. Children ages 9 and older come with their parents to participate in service projects while learning about the University’s commitment to giving back.

The Family Volunteer Camp is a popular event among alumni, bringing families from across the country to South Bend to volunteer at 25 community partner sites. The camp is so popular that the Alumni Association instituted a lottery for spots, ensuring that a variety of families would be able to experience it. The first week is June 26-July 1, the second is July 10-15, and the third week takes place July 17-22.

Each week, about 25 families come to Notre Dame to work with community partners including St. Margaret’s House, La Casa de Amistad, REAL Services, Healthwin Specialized Care, Corvilla and many others. Projects include a range of work from changing light bulbs to serving lunch to taking St. Margaret’s House children’s program participants on a field trip to St. Patrick’s County Park.

Families also have the opportunity to experience Notre Dame and South Bend by staying in residence halls on campus and participating in a family trivia night, ice skating and an ice cream social, among other activities.

Registration for this year’s camp is closed. Information for the 2017 camp will be made available in January.

Contact: Annie Envall, Alumni Association, 574-631-6723, aenvall@nd.edu