Lend a Hand. Make a Connection.
A welcoming face at check-in. A fresh pot of coffee. A classroom ready for the next morning. These small contributions help make Monroe Mandolin Camp a place where people feel comfortable, connected, and ready to make music. Volunteering is another way to find your place in the MMC community. Whether this is your first camp or you’ve been coming for years, you can help create the experience we share—while getting to know a few more of the people behind the instruments.
Your Classes Come First
All volunteer duties take place outside class hours. You will never be assigned a shift or expected to remain on call during a class. We’ll work with you before camp to arrange your responsibilities and explain what each assignment involves, so you can plan your time and arrive knowing what to expect.
Different People. Different Ways to Help.
We welcome interest from people of all ages and experience levels. You don’t need to be an advanced musician or a longtime camper to contribute. Some people enjoy greeting arrivals; others prefer organizing materials, making coffee, or helping behind the scenes. Assignments will be matched to camp need and what you feel comfortable doing. Please tell us about any physical limits or accommodations that would help you participate. Tasks involving lifting or carrying will be identified in advance.
Volunteer assignments are practical, manageable tasks that help make camp welcoming and comfortable for everyone. Depending on the schedule, opportunities may include:
- Getting ready: assembling welcome materials, organizing supplies, and putting up signs.
- Welcoming participants: greeting arrivals, offering directions, and helping people find check-in.
- Check-in support: distributing name badges, manuals, and other camp materials alongside staff.
- Coffee and snacks: making coffee, putting out snacks, and keeping the refreshment area tidy.
- Upper lobby care: straightening shared spaces, gathering discarded cups and wrappers, and keeping the area inviting.
- End-of-day classroom tidying: gathering stray papers, straightening chairs, and helping leave classrooms ready for the next morning.
- Presentation and concert setup: arranging or resetting chairs for special presentations and concerts.
- Packing up: gathering signs and supplies, organizing materials, and bringing lost items to staff.
None of these tasks is a major undertaking, but every one matters. A fresh pot of coffee, a tidy classroom, or chairs ready for the next gathering helps everyone settle in and enjoy camp. They’re often the things you’ll find Heidi running around doing between classes, during jams, or early in the morning before everyone arrives, or late at night as the last jam tune notes fade into the night. Lending a hand helps her keep camp running smoothly—and gives her a little more time to spend with you! Help Heidi help you have a great camp. Bonus points if she gets to finish her coffee while it’s still hot!
If you’d like to help alongside a friend or family member, let us know—we’ll try to arrange it.
Volunteer Hours and Tuition Rebate
Registered participants who complete their agreed volunteer assignments—up to six hours over the course of camp—will receive a $100 tuition rebate after camp.
Please arrive on time for your assignments and let Heidi know promptly if something changes or a task is beyond what you can comfortably do. Clear communication helps us take care of one another and keep camp running smoothly.
Interested? Let’s Find Your Fit.
Email Heidi Herzog at monroemandolincamp@gmail.com with:
- Your name and preferred contact information.
- Your anticipated arrival and departure times.
- The kinds of tasks you enjoy or would like to help with.
- Any scheduling needs, physical limits, or accommodations you would like us to consider.
- Whether you hope to volunteer with someone else.
We’ll confirm your assignments and timing before camp.
You don’t have to do everything to make a difference. A few hours, a willing hand, and a little care for the people around you can contribute a great deal.
Come for the music. Lend a hand. Get to know your people.
Description of Volunteer Assignments
Below are volunteer assignments with examples of the type of work. Please review these descriptions before you send an email to Heidi Herzog that indicates your preferred volunteer assignments. (Please note that the information in this chart is subject to change.)
| Volunteer Assignment with Example Responsibilities |
Number Volunteers (estimated) |
Shifts & Times (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Set-Up Crew—Non-Heavy Lifting Post interior signage in dorms and other buildings, carry non-heavy items from one location to another, etc. |
2 | Weds. 10:00 – 12:00 pm |
| Greeter Greet campers right after they park and direct them to the Registration area. |
1 | Wed., 10:00–2:00pm and 2:00–6:00pm |
| Registration Assistants Register participants: Distribute name tags, tshirts, manuals, bling items, etc. Help resolve any issues that arise. Answer general question such as where buildings or activities are located on campus, hand out badges and ‘bling’ bags, direct participants to lodging, etc. |
2 | Weds. 2:00–6:00pm |
| Concert Assistants Help arrange chairs for concert; assist sound person; assist MC in notifying performer that he or she is on soon or next; create list of songs being performed for sound person: door attendant to allow participants in (with badge at no fee), or to collect money for all other attendees. (All money goes to benefit the Scholarship Fund). |
2 | Friday |
| Take-Down Crew Remove all interior signage in dorms, classrooms, etc. Check every room, including workshop rooms, dorms, cafeteria, and vendor area for any personal items that a faculty member or camper may have left behind. Give that item, along with a note of the room in which it was found, to the Executive Director |
2 | Sun. 12:30 – 2:30/3:00 (maybe earlier) |
| Floater A ‘floater’ is a volunteer who is able either (1) to substitute for a volunteer who is unable to work his or her assigned shift, or (2) to do any type of work upon request by the Volunteer Coordinator. Floaters need to remain available by cell phone and will be notified of a work assignment by cell phone. Floaters who make themselves available at all times for up to 6 hours of volunteer work, will be given credit for completing the volunteer assignment even if not called upon to work. Floaters need to be available during class hours and jam hours. |
1 | No specific assignment |