Volunteering Promotes Well-being
As part of CAMP Rehoboth’s health and wellness program, we attend to the eight dimensions of well-being: emotional, spiritual, social, intellectual, environmental, physical, occupational, and financial. We host programs and services to address these eight dimensions. These dimensions of well-being intersect with the four pillars of CAMP Rehoboth (health and wellness, arts and culture, advocacy and education, and community engagement and outreach).
Volunteerism is included in the community engagement and outreach pillar. Being a volunteer provides the opportunity to connect with people while making a difference for others. By participating in CAMP Rehoboth’s Community Outreach Program (CROP), individuals can volunteer at places such as the Delaware Food Bank, Cape Henlopen State Park, the botanical garden, the therapeutic riding center, or usher at a CAMP Rehoboth Chorus concert. Opportunities to volunteer at different locations are available 12 months a year, including the winter months.
A new CROP volunteer, who recently moved to Delaware, shared, “Volunteering is a great way to make new friends and find people who share similar interests. I found it easy to do, I met some great people, and we socialized afterwards.”
But volunteering is not only community engagement and outreach. Volunteering is intersectional—it also supports the health and wellness pillar. An article in the August 2023 Mayo Clinic Health System newsletter, Speaking of Health, identifies three specific health gains derived from volunteering:
• Leads to better mental and physical health: people who volunteer report better physical health than do non-volunteers. Research has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, and to reduced stress.
• Provides a sense of purpose and teaches new skills: especially when they are working to support organizations or activities they value and find meaningful, volunteers report higher levels of life satisfaction and self-esteem.
• Nurtures new and existing relationships: volunteering helps people expand their social networks and build or deepen connections as they work with others in support of a common interest.
Ready to leverage the benefits of volunteering—to yourself, as well as others? Browse our opportunities and sign up for something that fits at camprehoboth.com/volunteers. We’d love to have you join us as CAMP Rehoboth works to serve our larger community. We all benefit. ▼
Youth Crisis Support: Crisis intervention services for children under 18. Parents and caregivers are connected to a crisis clinician. Available 24/7. Call 800-969-4357 or text DE to 741-741.
988: Free, confidential support and resources for anyone in distress. Available 24/7. Call 988.
Delaware Hope Line: Free coaching and support. Links to mental health, addiction, and crisis services. Available 24/7. Call 833-9-HOPEDE (833-946-7333).
Let’s stay connected!
As we enter the winter months with shorter days and colder weather, it is important to stay connected. CAMP Rehoboth offers a wide range of Health and Wellness Programs, both online and in-person. The complete list is available on the CAMP Rehoboth website: camprehoboth.com/health. We encourage you to visit this site for up-to-date information on what we are offering—and when. ▼