Medical Staff & Volunteers
Join our medical team!
At Camp, Medical Staff & Volunteers are an integral part of Ooch. Our medical teams are highly involved in Camp life, and the time spent at Ooch can often be as life-changing for the team as it is for the Campers we work with.
Medical Staff & Volunteer applicationMedical needs at Camp Ooch
Through an incredible and dedicated team of Volunteer Counsellors and the support of the Medical Staff & Volunteers, over 1,600 children are able to discover the magic and joy of Camp each year. Our Campers range in age from 0-18 and are in all stages of their cancer experience, from newly diagnosed to in remission.
The Medical Staff & Volunteers are an integral part of the Magic of Ooch and can often be found participating in all aspects of Camp – from climbing the high ropes and swimming to performing in skits and talent shows.
Medical Volunteer roles
Overnight Camp Med Shed team
Our Med Shed team consists of one paediatric oncologist and three to five nurses (from hospitals across Ontario), who are available 24 hours a day to support our Campers and Volunteers.
Since Ooch Muskoka remains the only camp facility in Canada that administers IV chemotherapy and blood product transfusions onsite, our medical teams are highly specialized nurses and doctors with experience in both paediatrics and oncology.
Trip nurses
Each trip is staffed by at least one nurse, as well as a trip leader and group of Volunteer Counsellors. Excursions include canoe trips, snowshoeing, hiking and more. You don’t need previous camping/canoe trip experience (but it is an asset). Specific training will be offered to all nurses who participate in a trip at Camp Ooch.
Day Camp nurses
Day Camp programs take place from Monday to Friday, offering the fun of Ooch without leaving the city. Each week is staffed by at least one paediatric oncology nurse. Our youngest Campers (ages 4-7) can experience the Magic of Ooch in Markham and we also offer Day Camp for Campers and their siblings ages 4 – 14 in Toronto, London and Ottawa.
Community program nurses
Community programs give Campers and their families the opportunity to experience the Magic of Ooch year-round in communities across Ontario like Toronto, Hamilton, London, Ottawa and Sudbury. At least one paediatric nurse is needed for family camping trips, Camper and sibling sleepovers, and more.
Camp nursing involves an aspect of 'play'... and helps to strengthen relationships between patients, nursing colleagues and doctors. It's good on the heart, helps build resiliency, and affirms why we choose the profession we do.
— Courtney, Med Shed Nurse
Medical responsibilities
By joining Camp Ooch as Medical Staff or as a Medical Volunteer, you’ll be responsible for:
- Administering medications to Campers
- General first aid
- Initiating fever/neutropenia care
- Assisting with medical emergencies
- NG/G-tube feeding
- Central line care
- Specialized care to support Campers
- Training and supporting Volunteer Counsellors for Camper care needs
- Health education and promotion
In addition to general nursing and first aid responsibilities, Overnight Camp Nurses may also:
- Draw blood work, provide blood product transfusions
- Administer IV chemotherapy
- Communicate with Campers’ primary care centres
Qualifications & requirements
Due to the range of activities and needs of our Campers, all Medical Staff & Volunteer candidates must:
- Be Registered Nurses with current registration with College of Nurses of Ontario
- Have paediatic nursing experience, and currently work in an acute care centre (please note that oncology experience is preferable but not required for all positions)
- Have been working as a nurse for at least one year
- Be comfortable transferring nursing skills to a more remote setting
- Have a keen interest in camp nursing
- Attend a Medical team training session
- Have a willingness to participate in fun Camp activities whenever possible
APHON Chemotherapy provider certification, peripheral IV and blood work and biotherapy skills are an asset, but not required for all positions.
Physicians with the following designations may apply: Staff oncologist, paediatrician and paediatric oncology fellow.
Application process
Applications for Medical Staff & Volunteers are accepted throughout the year. Complete the application and a member from our year-round medical team will be in touch with you shortly.
Medical Volunteer questions
There is a variety of mandatory and optional training sessions for Medical Staff & Volunteers depending on the type of program you are supporting. All Medical Staff & Volunteers must read the Med Shed Manual, watch position specific online training videos and participate in pre-program orientation meetings. There are also specific training sessions for Overnight Camp and Trip nurses.
All Medical Staff & Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in the spring Volunteer Weekend Training, which gives new medical team members a chance to learn about Camp and meet many of the Ooch staff and Volunteers you will be working with.
Camp Ooch hires one summer staff Health Care Aid/PSW each year to live on site in Muskoka for summer Camp sessions. This position is hired in February each year for the upcoming summer.
The medical team members are considered Volunteers; however the Nurses are hired on a contractual basis and are paid a stipend for their participation in programs. The amount of the stipend depends on the length of the program.
The medical facility or the “Med Shed” is set up similar to an Oncology clinic setting in a hospital and is equipped to treat and manage situations from routine first aid through to urgent Oncology situations.
Interested in becoming part of our Medical team?
Submit your application and join the Magic of Ooch!
Apply nowContact us
For more info on becoming part of the Medical Staff or Medical Volunteer teams, please contact: