Cavett Kids Foundation

Want to help us make a difference in the lives of seriously ill children? There are several different ways to volunteer with the Cavett Kids Foundation. 

Volunteer for Camps

Volunteering at one of our camps is an amazing experience.  You will be able to spend quality time with the campers and help bring joy into to their lives.  Our camps need more volunteers than regular camps due to the severity of some of our campers illnesses.  The campers need more assistance than healthy children.  Here are some of the ways that you could volunteer at one of our camps:

• Counselors:  Being a counselor is a rewarding yet sometimes challenging job. Each cabin has anywhere from 8-16 campers, and we strive to have anywhere from 3-5 counselors in each cabin as well.  Counselors help to encourage the campers to meet friends and get involved at camp.  They bond with the campers and help teach them valuable lessons.  They help remind the campers to go to the nurses cabin to take their medicine, And most importantly, they help the campers have fun! 
  

• Registered Nurses: We can never have enough registered nurses at camp!!! Nurses help distribute medication, change dressings, etc.  We have a Nursing Committee at every camp that is lead by our Head Camp Nurse.

• Licensed Cosmotolgists: The Salon is one of the most popular places at all of our camps.  We are always in need of more licensed cosmotologists to come and help cut and color campers hair.  Most all of the color is temporary. However, some of the parents approve permanent color as well.  Campers also come to the salon to get their nails painted, massages, face painted, make-up done, etc.  It is especially popular on the day of the Big Dance.  Campers spend hours primping and getting ready for the big night. 
  

• Bass Fishermen: Each year at Camp Cavett, there is a Bass Fishing Derby at Catfish Bay on Saturday morning.  Bass Fishing Guides volunteer their boat and their time to come and take the campers out for a morning of fishing.  After 3 hours of fishing, they return to shore and weigh in the fish.   There is a cookout and awards ceremony, where trophies are given out for the largest fish in 5 different categories. We are always in need of volunteer guides to take the kids fishing! 
  

• Striper Guides: Over 50 Professional Striper Guides volunteer their time every year at Camp Cavett.  Thursday morning is the Striper Fishing event that takes place out of Catfish Bay on Lake Texoma.  The kids fish with the guides for around 3-4 hours.  After they return, volunteers clean and cook the fish for dinner that evening.  
  

• Logistics Volunteers: Our team of logistics volunteers is one of the key reasons why our camps run so smoothly.  They keep the ice chests full of water, help keep the golf carts charged and full of gas, help with the transportation of all supplies, etc.  We could not do it without these kind, dedicated, hard-working volunteers.  
  

• Donate Your Golf Cart: Many of our campers are unable to walk long distances due to their illnesses.  To make camp a welcoming atmosphere for all children, we rent golf carts so that no child has an issue getting around camp.  We have a Golf Cart Sponsorship Drive each year in hopes of getting all of the carts paid for by individuals and businesses.  The 6-passenger carts cost $400 for the week and 4-passenger carts cost $250.  Also, we have had individuals donate their golf carts for the week to help us decrease the costs of the golf carts.
  

• Facepainters: Our patients enjoy having their faces painted and/or airbrushed all throughout camp.  We always are in need of professional face painters!   
  

• DJ's: Most of our camps have an end of camp dance. It is truly the highlight of the camps!  We normally have to pay for a DJ to come and run the lights and the music.

Diversionary Play

Diversionary Play is our new program based out of OU Children's Physicians that places volunteers in the clinic waiting areas to provide entertaining and interactive arts and crafts activities for the patients while they wait to see the doctor. Click here  for a more detailed description about the program. 

There are endless opportunities to become a volunteer with Diversionary Play. Volunteer hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Typically, a volunteer is matched with a clinic based on the clinic's need for a volunteer and volunteer's availability. The minimum amount of time to volunteer is two hours. There is no formal comittment to volunteer with the Diversionary Play program. However, volunteers will be required to undergo a background check, verify shot records, pass a Tuberculosis screening, and attend a short orientation.  All of the required tests and screenings are free of charge. Would you like more detailed information about how to become an official volunteer? Click on the following link to download the Diversionary Play Volunteer Packet!  Once you download the packet and fill out forms 1, 2, and 3, please contact Jenny Rodgers at Jenny-Rodgers@ouhsc.edu or call (405) 271-2271 to discuss availability and to schedule a trial volunteer session.