What volunteer opportunities are available at Midwest Children's Burn Camp?
Cabin Counselors are an integral part of the MCBC team. Although all positions are vital to the success of camp, the Counselor’s job is by far the most demanding and the most rewarding.  You will be responsible for the health, happiness and safety of your group 24 hours a day. Click here for a more detailed job description!
Why volunteer with MCBC?
Interpersonal and Leadership Skill
You will model professionalism and compassion by managing a group of campers, while contributing to the growth and development of each individual participant.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
You will be challenged to think on your feet – from resolving child health and safety issues to facilitating a group of campers in building community and group consensus.
Oral Communication Skills
You will be required to communicate effectively with people at every level of the organization – campers, fellow staff, camp directors, and parents.
Connection
In an increasingly isolating society, volunteering provides you with an opportunity to be a part of an intentional, authentic community.
What are the qualifications for being a Volunteer Counselor?
Cabin Counselors must be at least 21 years of age and Counselors-in-Training must be at least 18 by the first day of camp (July 25, 2026). Previous experience with children is not required but is preferred.
The Essential Functions of a Cabin Counselor are as follows:
- Able to live in a cabin with others, eat meals in a large, noisy dining room, etc.
- Possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers in both structured and unstructured activities.
- Able to address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment
- Interact effectively with individuals and groups while respecting social and cultural diversity
MCBC Staff also recognize that being a volunteer counselor demands a certain level of socio-emotional maturity that contribute to a positive experience for our campers and our volunteers alike. Please also review the below essential socio-emotional functions of a Cabin Counselor as you are deciding if volunteering with us is a good fit:
- Establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships and interpersonal skills
- Recognize and consider the needs of others (including campers and staff members) in daily interactions and decision-making
- Use effective and appropriate self-care practices for maintaining overall wellness in a fast-paced environment
- Promote emotional safety for campers and staff through maintaining an environment of encouragement and respect
What is the time commitment?
Volunteers are required to:
- All Volunteers, new and returning, are required to attend an in-person orientation weekend in Columbia, Missouri. New Volunteers will arrive the evening of Friday, May 29, 2026 and will stay until orientation ends on the evening of Saturday, May 30, 2026. Burns Recovered covers the cost of lodging and food for the weekend. Transportation assistance is available upon request.
- Arrive at Camp Taum Sauk one full day before the campers arrive (Saturday, July 25, 2026).
- Camp ends and both counselors and campers leave on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
I'm in! How do I apply?
New Volunteers
New Volunteers will complete an online form and later be interviewed either in-person or virtually by a panel of Camp Staff members. Official invitations to volunteer will be sent out on April 1, 2026, contingent on the results of:
- criminal background check
- a check of the National Sex Offender Registry
- check of the Child Abuse and Neglect Registries in all states where the applicant has lived for the past 7 years
- Personal and professional references
- Employment verification
Burns Recovered reserves the right to revoke an offer to volunteer if any of the checks listed above returns information that is deemed concerning or incompatible with the responsibilities of the role, the offer may be rescinded.
The application window to volunteer with MCBC in 2026 has closed. Please check back in with us in the fall for 2027 dates and deadlines. If you are interested in alternative volunteer opportunities with Burns Recovered, please click here to email us.
Returning Volunteers
Returning Volunteers will log on to CampDoc and update their profile for the 2026 camp season. Returning Volunteers also have to pass an annual criminal background check and check of the National Sex Offender Registry performed at no cost to the applicant.
Applications for returning volunteers are now open and are due no later than April 1, 2026.