Volunteer & Work Recommendations for Aspiring Child Life Specialists

I say it all the time — getting experiences with children & families in a variety of settings is ESSENTIAL for child life students. To be a competitive applicant for internships, you need at LEAST 100 hours in each of the following categories:

1. Children in healthcare settings: hospital, medical camps, programs for children with medical diagnoses, hospice, etc.

2. Children in a stressful situation: grief camps, children with a parent with a medical diagnosis or addiction, etc.

3. “Well children” outside of a healthcare setting: nannying, teaching, daycare, after-school programs, etc.

I know it can be hard to find opportunities specifically for categories 1 and 2, so I’ve compiled a list of ideas to get you started!

Hospital-Based Options

• Volunteering: Volunteering is a great first step to see if you even enjoy the hospital setting! I think it’s super helpful for child life students to volunteer in pediatrics in general, or ideally under a child life department. Check your local children’s hospital’s website for volunteer opportunities!

• Child Life Assistant: Some children’s hospitals offer this paid position where you are part of the child life team but instead of providing educational and procedural interventions, you perform tasks like managing the playroom, providing developmentally appropriate play opportunities, planning special events and holiday celebrations, supervising volunteers, etc. Check Indeed or Linkedin for these job opportunities near you!

• Child Life Practicum: A practicum is a structured shadowing opportunity of one or more child life specialists. It’s a fantastic experience that I recommend to anyone pursuing this career! The downside is they’re competitive to obtain.

  • Children’s hospitals are the main settings that offer child life practicums. Check your local children’s hospital’s website for potential practicum opportunities! *Most child life departments offer practicums.

  • Child Life United offers a virtual child life practicum!

  • Some other nonprofits offer practicums as well!

Camps for Children with Illnesses and/or Disabilities

• SeriousFun Children’s Network: for children with serious illnesses and their families

  • Locations all over the country

• Victory Junction: for children with serious illnesses and conditions

  • Located in North Carolina

  • Staff and volunteer opportunities

• Camp Boggy Creek: for children with serious illnesses and conditions

  • Located in Florida

• Camp Rise Above: for children with various illnesses and conditions

  • Located in South Carolina

• Camp for All: for children and adults with special needs

  • Located in Texas

• Camp Twin Lakes: for children living with or affected by serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges

  • Located in Georgia

• Camp Can Do: for children with cancer

  • Located in Pennsylvania

Camps for Children in Other Stressful Situations

• Eluna Network: offers different camps for children grieving the loss of a family member, dealing with a family member’s substance abuse, and other stressful situations

  • Locations all over the country

• Camp Kesem: or children with family members dealing with cancer

  • Locations across the country

  • Staff and volunteer opportunities

  • Many universities have Kesem chapters!

• Comfort Zone Camp: for children grieving the loss of a family member

  • Locations across the country

  • Virtual opportunities

Other Organizations

• Project Sunshine: volunteer-led programming for pediatric patients

  • Offers remote and on-site volunteering

• Wonders & Worries: for children dealing with a parent’s illness or injury

  • Multiple locations in Texas

• Make-a-Wish: wish-granting service for children with critical illnesses

  • Locations across the country