Student Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities

MDA Summer Camp Seeks Volunteers

Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp provides an incredibly unique experience for both the campers and the volunteers who serve as counselors. The week-long residential programs give kids ages 8-17 the freedom to be kids with others who are just like them- at no cost to their families. Volunteer Counselors are by Campers’ sides day and night so that they can do all the fun activities that summer camp offers.  

In addition to bringing joy to Campers, this fantastic opportunity allows Volunteers to gain high-quality, field-based experience in physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical professions, education, recreation, and family social sciences, as well as earning them extensive volunteer hours. MDA Summer Camp locations are available across the nation. Check out this short VIDEO or MDA.org to learn about Summer Camp’s impact on MDA families and Volunteers. 

While interested Volunteers are welcome to apply to any MDA Summer Camp session across the nation, one session in the Great Lakes Region is:  

MDA Summer Camp at Bradford Woods
Martinsville, Indiana
June 24-30, 2023

View the camp flyer

University of Michigan Health-West Seeks Volunteers for April Event

When: Evening of Tuesday, April 11 (time is estimated to be from 5pm-8:30pm)

Where: Celebration Cinema South, 1506 Eastport Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508

What: Checking kids in and out during a movie screening!

Volunteers must have background checks and know CPR.

Contact Megan.Rogers@umhwest.org to reserve your volunteer spot!

Beaumont Children’s Hospital Seeks Volunteers

Beaumont Children’s in Royal Oak is seeking volunteers! Make a note that you are interested in volunteering with child life on pediatrics in the application.

Apply to volunteer at Beaumont Children’s Hospital

Flying Horse Farms Offers Volunteer Opportunities & Summer Practicum

Flying Horse Farms is a non-profit camp that serves children with medical needs for them to heal, grow, and thrive.  They offer Spring/Fall weekend family camps, as well as week-long diagnosis-specific residential camps during the summer. In addition to volunteer/seasonal staff applications, they have just launched an application for a 300-hour child life practicum under the supervision of Rebecca Gordon, MS, CCLS; the full-time CCLS at FHF.  The camp is located about 30 minutes north of Columbus, Ohio.  The practicum includes housing and meals. 

Volunteer Information

Child Life Practicum Information

2023 Camp Schedule

For more information:
www.flyinghorsefarms.org
Rebecca Gordon, MS, CCLS
Flying Horse Farms
rebecca@flyinghorsefarms.org
419-751-7077

Field Experience

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
Phase 1 Child Life Student Field Experience

The Phase 1 Field Placement at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital offers students:

  • Structured field hours directly with patients and families in a pediatric health care setting under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist. This may include interactions with patients in playroom or bedside setting.
  • An understanding of the philosophies and goals of Child Life Services gained through observational experiences with Certified Child Life Specialists.
  • Exposure to the psychological impact of medical experiences on children and families.
  • Opportunities to observe a wide range of the implementation of educational and developmentally appropriate activities.
  • An opportunity to conduct an interview with child life professionals, music therapists, and/or hospital schoolteachers within the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Child Life Program.

All applicants must submit a recommendation form from a professor or advisor. 

Recommendation FormReview for more detailed information about the program.

Winter Placement: January to April
• Referral deadline: November 1st
Summer Placement: May to August
• Referral deadline: March 1st
Fall Placement: September to December
• Referral deadline: July 1st

Practicums and Internships

If you would like to update program information or have your hospital included on this page, please email childlife.glaclp@gmail.com.

AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Women & Children’s HospitalInternship – Hoffman Estates, IL

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of ChicagoPracticum – Internship – Chicago, IL

Bronson Children’s Hospital – Kalamazoo, MI

Children’s Hospital of WisconsinPracticumInternship – Milwaukee, WI

Children’s Hospital of MichiganPracticumInternship – Detroit, MI

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterPracticumInternship – Cincinnati, OH

Helen DeVos Children’s HospitalPracticumInternship – Grand Rapids, MI

IU Health Arnett HospitalPracticum – Lafayette, IN (will not be accepting students for spring 2022)

Lutheran Children’s HospitalInternship – Fort Wayne, IN

C.S. Mott Children’s HospitalPracticumInternship – Ann Arbor, MI

Nationwide Children’s HospitalPracticumInternship – Columbus, OH

Northshore University Health SystemPracticum – Evanston, IL

Parkview HealthPracticum – Fort Wayne, IN

Riley Children’s Health at Indiana University HealthInternship – Carmel/Indianapolis, IN