Volunteer Forms

STEPS 2025 Volunteer Sign-up

Volunteer opportunities can be found below.  Thank you for volunteering!

* denotes a required field

Your Information

Affiliation with STEPS Camp





June 2025 calendar

Are you able to attend Airplane Construction Training on Tuesday, 6/10, from 8:30-9:30 AM? (@ IDC Building, 227 Winter Ave. NW) *


I would love to stay for lunch on the following days! (@ IDC Building, 227 Winter Ave. NW)

Week 1 (June 9-12) Volunteer Opportunities





Are you able to attend Airplane Construction Training on Tuesday, 6/17, from 8:30-9:30 AM? (@ IDC, 227 Winter Ave. NW) *


I would love to stay for lunch on the following days! (@ IDC, 227 Winter Ave. NW)

Week 2 (June 16-19) Volunteer Opportunities





I would love a STEPS Volunteer t-shirt! *





Volunteer Waivers

Minors on Campus Conduct Requirements of Authorized Adults, Grand Valley State University, September 2018.  

All Authorized Adults, participating in Programs and activities covered by this policy, should be positive role models and act in a caring, honest, respectful, and responsible manner. They are required to comply with all applicable laws and University policy.  In addition, at all times, they shall:

1. In general, avoid One-on-One Contact with Minors, unless in public spaces. Two or more Authorized Adults must be involved in Programs where Minors are present unless a waiver has been signed or an exception has been granted.

2. Have separate accommodations from the Minors.  An Authorized Adult should not have One-on-One Contact by entering a Minor’s room, bathroom facility, or similar area without another Authorized Adult in attendance.

3. Not take photographs or digital images of Minors other than specified in the waiver for photography.

4. Not engage in private communication not pertaining to Program matters with a Minor by email, telephone, text message, social media, or any other method at any time, except when there is a clear educational purpose and the communication is consistent with the mission of the University.

5. Not meet with Minors outside of established times for Program activities. Any exceptions require written Parent/Legal Guardian/Foster Parent authorization and must include more than one Authorized Adult from the Program.

6. In the presence of a Minor or during any University Program, not engage in any sexual activity or romantic conversations, or sexually explicit comments.

7. Not possess, have within reach and/or share sexually-oriented printed or computerized or portable materials (magazines, cards, videos, films, clothing, smartphones, etc.) in any form available to Minors participating in Programs or activities covered by this policy or assist them in any way in gaining access to such materials.  The one exception would be legitimate sexual education Programs in which the Minor’s Parent/Legal Guardian/Foster Parent have given prior written consent.

8. Not engage in abusive conduct of any kind toward, or in the presence of, a Minor.  For example, no Authorized Adult shall strike, hit, administer corporal punishment or touch in an abusive or illegal manner any Minor.  If necessary, touching should only be in the open, in response to the Minor’s immediate physical needs, for a purpose that is consistent with the Program’s mission and culture, or for a clear educational, development, safety, or health-related purpose (i.e., treatment of an injury).

9. Not possess fireworks, firearms, knives, or other weapons, unless being used for an officially sanctioned and approved instructional Program.  (See also the Weapons policy [PC 6.27].)

10. Not transport Minors, except as specifically authorized in writing by the Minor’s Parent/Legal Guardian/Foster Parent, or in the case of an emergency.

11. Not engage in the use of alcohol or illegal drugs, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, during such Programs or activities.  (See also the Alcohol and Other Drugs policy [PC 5.1].)

12. Respect and adhere to any resistance from the Minor unless it is a life- threatening emergency.

13. Not continue to participate in Programs or activities if an allegation of prohibited or illegal conduct has been made against an Authorized Adult covered by this Policy until such allegation has been satisfactorily resolved and future participation in Programs is permitted by the University.

14. Not engage in any activity that violates the policies of the University (www.gvsu.edu/policies).  This includes the harassment policies [PC 9.1, PC 9.3], the Sexual Misconduct policy [PC 9.4], and the Religious Inclusion policy [PC 9.6]. Those who do not meet the prescribed standards of behavior may be asked to leave the Campus and/or Program and may be subject to expulsion from the Program, suspension of attendance, being issued a “no-trespass” order by Public Safety, or disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.  (See also Section VII of this policy.) The behavioral requirements in this policy are not meant to preclude enrolled University students from developing appropriate friendships with Minors who are close in age to the enrolled student; rather, the requirements are meant to protect Minors from abusive or illegal contact and inappropriate relationships. 

As an Authorized Adult in a GVSU program, I certify that I have received, read, and understood the Conduct Requirements for Authorized Adults at Grand Valley State University. *

Please sign here.  

Informed Voluntary Consent and Participation Release  

In consideration of participation in the Grand Valley State University STEPS Camp as described herein, and having actual knowledge and appreciation of the particulars of the program and those risks involved in this type of activity/program, I, voluntarily consent to use of the facilities and participation in the activities/programs at this site, and assume all the risks arising therefrom.  

Sponsoring Organization/Department: Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering

I hereby declare that I am in good health and have no mental or physical condition or symptoms that could interfere with my safety or the safety of others while participating in any activity using any equipment or facilities of the Grand Valley State University. Furthermore, I certify that I have adequate health insurance to cover any injury or damage that I may suffer while participating, or alternatively, agree to bear all costs associated with any such injury or damages.  I, the undersigned, do hereby release, hold harmless, indemnify, waive, and discharge Grand Valley State University and all its officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all claims, demands, actions or causes of action arising from any injuries or damages I may suffer or sustain from her/his participation in, or use of, any facility, equipment, and/or programs. Furthermore, in full recognition and appreciation of the potential dangers and hazards inherent in athletic and other activities, I do hereby agree to assume any and all risks, liabilities, and responsibilities for all accidents, injuries, damages, or property losses arising from my participation.  In the event of a medical emergency requiring more than basic first aid, I authorize Grand Valley State University to secure from any licensed hospital, physician, and/or medical personnel any treatment deemed necessary for my immediate care and agree that I will be responsible for payment of any and all medical services rendered.  I have read and fully understand the above statements. 

As a volunteer in a GVSU program, I certify that I have received, read, and understood the Informed Voluntary Consent and Participation Release. *

Please sign here.

Emergency Contact Information

Human Verification *

Volunteer assisting STEPS Camper
Volunteer assisting STEPS Campers
Pilot and camper with STEPS plane

Volunteer Opportunities

Campers will be making parts of their airplane wings. This volunteer opportunity requires a lot of standing and movement. Training will be provided.  

Campers will be making the tails of their airplane. This volunteer opportunity is mostly sitting. Training will be provided.

Campers will be making the nosecones and fuselages of their airplane. This opportunity is mostly standing and fairly physical. Training will be provided.  

Campers will be doing final assembly of their wings including fine-tuning and painting. This opportunity is mostly standing and can be messy. Training will be provided.  

Campers will be doing the final assembly of their fuselage to tails. Campers will also be decorating their planes with stickers and markers. Opportunity is mostly sitting.  

Campers will be utilizing flight simulator software to practice flying their STEPS planes. The opportunity is led by our Radio Control Fly Group volunteers.  

Various things need to happen: stake and fence the pit area, stake and rope off parking, move equipment, set up plane-stuffing stations, queuing planes, put up tents, prepare buffet tables, prepare dining area, hang signs, set up a/v equipment, set up garbage receptacles, and other duties as assigned. This is a physical volunteer opportunity.  

Various opportunities including spotting planes/timing, plane retriever, stuffer, battery charging station, runner, pilot. Some of these tasks are very technical, but I'm sure someone would be willing to train you.  The exception is the PILOTs!  The pilots may be R/C Fly Group volunteers as they are trained/insured.  

Tasks include stacking chairs, taking down tents, collecting cones/stakes/fencing ropes from field, collecting garbage, loading moving truck, and other duties as assigned. This is a physical volunteer opportunity.  

Minors On Campus

Grand Valley State University adheres to a strict Minors on Campus policy.  

Grand Valley State University is committed to being a safe and healthy environment for all.  This includes students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors, especially those who are minors.  As a public university open to everyone, the University welcomes children and teenagers on our campuses for a variety of programs and activities planned by the University or by outside organizations.  In all situations, adults are expected to be positive role models for minors, acting in a respectful and responsible manner consistent with the mission and values of the University.  To promote this vision, the University publishes and enforces policies, procedures, and guidelines that have the goal of promoting health, safety, and security for minors on our campuses.


Page last modified April 9, 2025
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