Volunteer Opportunities

Hands to Love is sustained by our incredible corps of volunteers, made up of healthcare providers and other professionals, college students and adults with upper limb differences, who all work together to support our events. Each volunteer is recruited for their varied gifts and talents as well as for their passion, commitment, and ability to serve Hands to Love families. 

Volunteer at Hand Camp

Hand Camp 2025 will be held on April 4th-6th with Teen Camp occurring on April 3rd-4th at Keystone Camp and Conference Center. This event is also dependent on volunteers who are passionate about serving the H2L community, who are 18 years old or older, and willing to participate in a background check. A variety of roles and service opportunities are available. Volunteers will be provided with a T-shirt, an option for overnight lodging, and meals throughout the weekend. Volunteer registration is FREE. However, volunteers may choose to donate to the John Dufek Volunteer Fund. This fund assists with covering the costs for the aforementioned provisions and background checks.

Apply to Volunteer at Hand Camp 2025

Our current COVID-19 Policy is now available.

Volunteer Roles

Activity Rotation Leader

Activity Rotation Leader

Activity Rotation Leader: Leads one of four groups of elementary and middle school aged  campers during activity times. *This position reserved for AULDs

Family Pal Leader

Family Pal Leader

An experienced family pal in each rotation group is assigned as a Lead and responsible for relaying information to all the family pals in their group. *This position reserved for SOTA club members

Family Pal

Family Pal

Assigned to each  Primary Camper (K-5th grade) and their family to accompany them throughout the weekend, family pals are part big brother/sister,  part schedule-keeper and serve as a liaison and guide for the family throughout the weekend event. When appropriate family pals assist during activity rotations.

Activity Program Leader

Activity Program Leader

Experienced hand camp volunteers who lead at  camp activity stations such as Archery Art, Music, Tennis, Special Sports and STEM.

Activity Pal

Activity Pal

Assists at an activity station and serve at the direction of the Activity Program Director.

Special Program Leader

Special Program Leader

Organizes special aspects of the hand camp program such as Cool Inspiring Teens, (middle school aged campers), Parent Support Programming, Saturday Night Event, Tiny Tots, and Theme/Special Invited Guest throughout the hand camp weekend.

Special Activity Assistants

Special Activity Assistants

Assists the Special Program Director throughout the hand camp weekend.

Camp Operations Staff

Camp Operations Staff

Assists in logistical operations such as: loading of H2L supply trailer, transport of supply and dispersal at camp, equipment setup and take down, loading of trailer and clean up etc.

Health & Safety Staff

Health & Safety Staff

“Red Hat” wearing Health & Safety volunteers staff the camp clinic, administer medications  and offer first aid as needed.

Volunteer with Hands to Love

Volunteers are needed throughout the year as Hands to Love works to communicate with the public, provide new and exciting programs while enhancing our current programs, fundraise, and more. If you are willing and available to volunteer throughout the year, please complete the volunteer interest form below

Volunteer Interest Form

Available Volunteer Roles

Hands to Love Administrators

Hands to Love Administrators

Our administrative volunteers serve on camp planning committees and provide organization and oversight to all Hands to Love programs throughout the year. Other duties include ordering of activity supplies, equipment and insurance.

Special Event Volunteers

Special Event Volunteers

Volunteers who help with Hands to Love events work at any of our events throughout the year (such as The H2L Gala, golf tournaments or spa night) to set up, coordinate, and take down related activities. 

Fundraising Volunteers

Fundraising Volunteers

Fundraising volunteers are individuals or business owners who donate time or services and/or products to Hands to  Love to help raise money for the organization. These activities can include participating in networking and letter-writing  campaigns, organizing a school or work fundraiser, grant writing, or helping connect Hands to Love with potential donors.

Who are our volunteers?

Orthopedists, occupational and physical therapists, dentists, mental health counselors and nurses have all enriched our families’ Hands to Love experience. Our volunteer medical professionals give their time to help families adapt and thrive both physically and emotionally.

Hands to Love enjoys a special relationship with the University of Florida College of  Medicine, College of Public Health and Health Professions, and Occupational Therapy program. OT students typically begin volunteering with Hands to Love during their undergraduate studies and stay with the organization through graduation from their doctorate program. Typically serving as “Family Pals,” this arrangement gives our student volunteers and families the chance to build relationships over the years and provides a practical forum for healthcare professionals and older students to mentor younger ones.

Adults with Upper Limb Differences (AULDs) are a mix of former campers who have grown up with Hands to Love and those who discovered Hands to Love as adults. Our AULDs have a very special connection to Hands to Love families and help both children and parents through sharing their own personal experiences and serving as the best possible role models of success.

Many of our volunteers work in the school setting and can offer expertise about how to adapt learning activities and how to frame or bring perspective to  experiences for students with upper limb differences.

What Our Volunteers Say

“I first came to Hands to Love camp as a Certified Hand Therapist wishing to volunteer my time serving a special group of kids. I had no idea the impact that first year’s experience would have on me. I found myself so amazed and inspired by these kids and their parents, and also so impressed with the genuine love the staff and other volunteers showed all weekend! Plus we had so much fun!! I was hooked! I have attended camp for 8 years and have been fortunate enough to share the experience for 3 year as a “Family Pal”, with a special little girl and her family who are now near and dear to my heart. Words can’t really describe the experience, but it has changed me (for the better) as a therapist and a person.”

Laurie Thurber OT, CHT, Hand Camp Family Pal

Interested in becoming a Hands to Love volunteer?

Sign up to volunteer here