Students & Volunteers for Child Life
If you are interested in volunteering with Child Life or helping with a special service project for our patients, please call 920-433-8641 to discuss these opportunities.
Internships
For students, an invaluable experience to prepare for life after college.
Practicum
Child Life offers this opportunity for furthered education.
Volunteers
Volunteer opportunities fill up quickly. If you are interested in volunteering with Child Life or helping with a special service project for our patients, please call 920-433-8641 to discuss these opportunities.
Internships
Child Life offers an unpaid, 16-week internship during summer, fall and spring. We accept up to two interns per semester.
At this time, we are only accepting school-affiliated students. Qualified students will have:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Current CPR certification (by the start of the internship)
- A minimum of 150 hours of volunteer work with sick or at-risk kids
- A practicum is highly recommended
To apply, submit a completed application to:
childlifeinternshipapplication@hshs.org
Please include the following in your application packet:
- A completed Association of Child Life Professionals Internship Readiness Common Application Form
- A completed, 500-word typed essay on why you want to go into the child life field
- Resume
- Cover letter
Internship acceptance is contingent upon sending a completed eligibility assessment (if not already submitted in application) prior to internship start date showing that the student has completed all courses required by the Association of Child Life Professionals.
We follow the Association of Child Life Professionals application deadlines and offer dates. Please call 920-433-8641 or email childlife@hshs.org if you have any questions.
Practicum
There may be an opportunity for you to complete a practicum during winter break. This includes a minimum of 100 hours. Winter practicum consists of 3 weeks during winter break (December-January) with approximately 40 hours per week with a total of about 100 hours. The practicum experience follows the standards recommended by the ACLP and is designated for students pursuing a career as a child life specialist.
At this time, we are only accepting school-affiliated students. Qualified students will have:
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for undergraduate and graduate schools
Be enrolled in a child life program or have taken a minimum of 5 college level courses related to child life/child development upon start of practicum
To apply, you must submit the following by May 1:
- Completed practicum application
- Cover letter
- Resume
- All unofficial university transcripts- please highlight your college-level courses that relate to child life/child development
Submissions can be sent to childlife@hshs.org.
If chosen, we will be in contact to schedule an interview. Interview candidates will be selected by the end of the second week of May. If you have questions, please contact Child Life at 920-433-8641.
Volunteer
Child Life volunteers at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital Child Life Department are utilized in number of important ways such as providing play for patients, breaks for parents, restocking items, organizing and sanitizing toys and additional programming support.
Volunteer Requirements
- Volunteers must be in the process of pursuing the field of child life.
- Volunteer candidates must be able to provide a 50-hour commitment.
- Volunteer candidates are required to commit to a 2-4 hour volunteer shift once per week (this can vary)
Volunteer Onboarding Schedule
Child Life volunteer candidates are selected on a seasonal basis. Our volunteer onboarding schedule:
Fall Volunteer (September – December):
Email your interest to childlife@hshs.org by July 15th. Selection will be made by August 1st.
No Summer Volunteer spots available
Spring Volunteer (January – May):
Email your interest to childlife@hshs.org by November 15. Selection will be made by December 1st.
Once you have emailed your interest, our volunteer coordinator will contact you for a virtual interview.
If selected as a volunteer, please visit “Application Process” at https://www.hshs.org/StVincent/Volunteer (hyperlink)
Please contact childlife@hshs.org for any questions.