VolunTeen Program

We are currently not accepting Applications

Please check back for the Summer 2025 Program on January 1^st, 2025

The VolunTeen Program empowers high school students to make a meaningful impact within East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. This is achieved through service, care, and mentorship, while cultivating empathy, leadership, and volunteerism. Our goal is to inspire compassionate leaders and create positive experiences for patients, families, and staff. Our VolunTeen Program is a multifaceted, educational experience designed for the next generation of leaders!

The summer VolunTeen Program provides high school students who are 16 years old or entering 11th grade with the chance to volunteer for a 5-day session at Camp Eagle’s Nest, a one-week session at our Camp Cure Diabetes Camp, or a two-week session at either Children’s Hospital or the Donald M. Gally Summer Camp for patients from the Children's Hospital's Rehabilitation Center.

Opportunities

Hospital

The VolunTeen Program provides a comprehensive two-week experience within a hospital setting, allowing participants to explore a range of service areas. During the program, students participate in patient-focused care, collaborating with various hospital departments in their roles as VolunTeens. This opportunity helps students develop a deeper understanding of volunteer work while making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients.

Hospital Setting
Various Service Areas
Patient-Oriented
Two weeks

Activities:

Child Life
Movie Cart
Friends and Family Cart
Book Cart
Arts and Crafts Cart
Gift Shop
Information Desk
Specialty Clinic Desk
Surgery Desk
Wayfinding
HABIT Escort

Camp Cure

Camp Cure provides a one-week, all-day camp counselor experience at an offsite facility, specifically designed for patients with diabetes. VolunTeens engage in one-on-one interactions with campers, providing personalized support and fostering meaningful connections in a mix of indoor and outdoor settings. This opportunity helps students develop a deeper understanding of volunteer work while making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients.

Outside, Kiwanis Fresh Air Camp
Camp Counselor Experience
Patient-Oriented
More one-on-one
One week

Activities:

Arts & Crafts
Pool Monitor
Pool Companion
Game Organizer
Safety Patrol
Registration
Companionship

Rehab Camp

The Donald M. Gally Rehabilitation Camp provides a two-week, all-day camp counselor experience designed for individuals with special needs. VolunTeens engage in more one-on-one interactions with campers, providing personalized support and fostering meaningful connections in a mix of indoor and outdoor settings. This opportunity helps students develop a deeper understanding of volunteer work while making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients.

Outside, Kiwanis Fresh Air Camp
Camp Counselor Experience
Patient-Oriented
More one-on-one
Two weeks

Activities:

Arts & Crafts
Pool Monitor
Pool Companion
Game Organizer
Safety Patrol
Registration
Companionship

Eagle's Nest

Camp Eagle's Nest offers a five-day overnight camp experience designed for hematology and oncology clinic patients. VolunTeens engage in one-on-one interactions with campers, offering personalized support and fostering meaningful connections in a mix of indoor and outdoor settings. This opportunity helps students develop a deeper understanding of volunteer work while making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients.

Outside, Camp Wesley Woods
Camp Counselor Experience
Patient-Oriented
More one-on-one
Overnight (4 Nights)

Activities:

Arts & Crafts
Pool Monitor
Pool Companion
Game Organizer
Safety Patrol
Companionship
Canoeing
Ropes Corse
Horseback riding

For any questions, please contact Landyn Ford, Volunteer Programs Manager, at 865-541-8525.

2024 VolunTeen Program

Since its inception, the VolunTeen Program has supported over a thousand students. Many past participants have pursued careers as doctors, nurses, surgeons, lawyers, business owners, and in various other fields. The program prides itself on its inclusivity, welcoming students from all high school backgrounds and with diverse professional interests and aspirations.

In 2024, we welcomed 122 VolunTeens who served a total of 6,860 hours, representing 27 different public, private and home schools. Of those 122 VolunTeens, 45 became CPR certified.

What schools* do our VolunTeens attend? Check out this map to find out where our VolunTeens are from, and how many come from each school.

* Not pictured: 1 Student from George Washington University Online High School

For any questions, please contact Landyn Ford, Volunteer Programs Manager, at 865-541-8525.