The volunteer will work mainly under the tasks and activities of the DOUTORECOS program, where her/his project is included, designed and promoted by the University of Madeira Students’ Union since 2012.

Check all the information at doutorecos.amadeira.pt.

Tâches du volontaire:

Every year, during school holidays, AAUMa organizes a vacation camp at the University of Madeira for children aged 6 to 12. The camp operates in groups of 25 to 30 children, separated by age, who stay with us all day from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Throughout the day, the children engage in various activities related to different areas of knowledge.
In the morning, they are in the university’s open park, where they participate in sports, team games, environmental activities, and picnics.
In the afternoon, they are in the main university building, taking part in art workshops, conducting scientific experiments, visiting laboratories, and developing activities within them.
Each week, the children engage in activities related to visual arts, computer science, robotics, theater, dance, music, literature, environment, sciences, and other areas and are permanently supervised by six camp counselors who also develop and conduct activities with the children. These counselors are student volunteers of various areas of study: Education, Sports, Engineering, Arts, Sciences, Literature and Medicine.
DOUTORECOS Camp also includes the participation of various entities from within and outside the university, offering diverse educational actions for the children, such as: the Faculties of Life Sciences, Social Sciences, and Engineering and the School of Nursing, Madeira’s Bambolins Orchestra, Funchal Firefighters, Portuguese Police, Portuguese Army, National Guard, Madeiran Forest Guard, environmental associations, Whale Museum, Funchal Natural History Museum, History of Sugar Museum, Santa Cruz Municipal Library and Funchal Municipal Theater.

Volunteer tasks in DOUTORECOS summer camp:
● Help supervise and ensure the safety of children in all activities;
● Lead recreational, sports, and educational activities pre prepared;
● Help to organize team games and outdoor activities;
● Promote integration and cooperation among children, specially children that does not speak Portuguese;
● Assist in conflict resolution among children.
● Provide assistance and guidance to children as needed.
● Assist in meal and snack preparation and distribution.
● Monitor children’s behavior and emotional well-being.
● Coordinate special activities such as field trips or themed nights.
● Maintain cleanliness and organization of areas used by children.
● Assist in promotional activities for Académica’s activities: participate in promotional videos, photographs, posts, and other preparations deemed pertinent.
● Provide support during children’s walks between different spaces of the university, paying attention to traffic, obstacles, and other safety concerns.
● Work collaboratively with other counselors and report all events to each group supervisor.

Other activities
Cultural Events Support
Assisting in the organization and promotion of concerts, exhibitions, book launches, and poetry slams.
Supporting logistics, welcoming guests, and providing information during events.
Visitor Services
Assisting in the reception area and ticket office at the Jesuits’ College.
Helping in the heritage shop and supporting customer interactions.
Educational Activities
Conducting short guided visits within the Jesuits’ College for local schools or Summer Camps.
Assisting in translation tasks for materials and guided tours.
Ecological Initiatives
Participating in monthly environmental activities at the Funchal Ecological Park, including reforestation and nursery work.
General Maintenance & Promotion
Helping with basic cleaning and upkeep of cultural spaces.
Contributing to photo and video documentation for ESC and AAUMa’s promotional materials.
Helping manage social media content related to the program.

Profil recherché

The DOUTORECOS program is designed to provide an enriching experience for all participants while ensuring a safe and professional environment. To achieve this, the following guidelines must be followed:
Guidelines:
Punctuality is crucial for the smooth running of activities and to maintain a positive image of our camp. Volunteers must adhere to their schedules.
Volunteers should dress appropriately for the camp environment. Clothing such as mini-skirts, sports shorts, or flashy sneakers is not suitable for camp activities.
In order to facilitate interaction with children and promote inclusivity, volunteers must always wear their identification badges.
Smoking is strictly prohibited during camp hours to ensure the health and safety of all participants.
Volunteers should maintain a friendly and approachable demeanor to help children and staff feel comfortable and at ease. Avoiding military-like stances or intimidating behavior is important for creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Effective communication is essential for the success of the program. Volunteers should promptly report any issues or concerns they encounter and provide feedback for improvement. Additionally, volunteers are encouraged to ask questions and seek clarification when needed.
To ensure that campers are greeted and assisted promptly, the volunteers must have their lunch breaks as it is specified in their schedule.