VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

Position Title: Summer Camp Volunteer
Organization: The Pine Project 
Location: Toronto, Ontario

Position Type: Volunteer
Mandatory Training: Thurs June 23, Fri June 24, and Mon June 27-Wed June 29
Volunteer Shifts: 1 week between July 4- August 26, 2022
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm

About the Pine Project

The Pine Project is Ontario’s leading nature connection organization! We offer year-round nature connection programs for people of all ages in Toronto and the surrounding area, including Outdoor School, March Break programs, and highly sought-after summer camps. Each year we engage with over 1,500 children, teens, families and adults. Our programs foster confidence, competence, resilience and a deep relationship with nature in a way that is hard to achieve in more conventional learning environments.

By helping children connect to nature and teaching adults to do the same, we inspire children to respect, cherish, and care for the Earth. We are empowering the next generation of environmental stewards, problem solvers and leaders. Check out our website – pineproject.org – for more info.

Position Summary

Volunteers are a core component of our summer camp team. They work closely with Instructors to deliver inspiring outdoor day camps for kids. This is a great fit for anyone interested in developing deeper nature mentoring skills and supporting Pine’s work, but can only commit to one or more weeks in July and August!

Willingness to deepen naturalist knowledge, experience working with children and working in the outdoors are key elements of the role. Volunteers embody respect, gratitude, awareness, life-long learning, and resilience, in alignment with our core values.

This position is all about supporting high-quality programs creatively and effectively to advance our mission of fostering confidence, competence, resilience and connection to nature through transformative outdoor experiences.

Key Position Responsibilities

• Support positive learning and recreational experiences with campers ages 4-13 in nature
• Support the development of camp culture by leading and participating in skits, songs and games
• Support and participate in program planning, development, and prep/debrief meetings
• Being open to taking on new roles to develop as a volunteer
• Participate in training week
• Be prepared to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Act in the best interest of all campers and staff in attendance
• Willingness to continuously learn relevant knowledge and skills related to program content and curriculum
• Familiarize yourself with and abide by all policies and procedures including, but not limited to, the staff handbook and emergency plans.
• Other duties as required

Requirements

• Up to date Police Vulnerable Sectors Check (or willingness to obtain prior to employment)

The Pine Project understands that the cost of certifications can be a barrier to accessing employment in the outdoor industry. If you identify as a member of a disadvantaged or marginalized group, or have faced other systemic barriers to accessing employment, we may be able to subsidize one or all of the required certifications.

About you:

• Enthusiastic, outgoing, and flexible
• Able and willing to work as part of a team
• Have good communication, time management, and organizational skills
• Identify with Pine’s mission statement and core values
• Have a desire to further your own naturalist/wilderness skills, mentoring techniques, and/or nature connection through professional development opportunities

It’d be great if you have experience in any of the following areas:

• Outdoor and environmental education
• Naturalist experience and knowledge
• Survival skills, wilderness experience

Application Procedure

There are two options in how to apply

1. Interested applicants can fill out a Volunteer Application form at https://pineprojectstaff.campbrainstaff.com/

OR

1. Interested applicants can forward their cover letter and resume with two references by email to pinevolunteers@pineproject.org Please consider answering the following questions in your cover letter:

1. Why are you interested in volunteering with the Pine Project?

2. What are the skills and experiences that you would bring to the role of a volunteer with the Pine Project?

3. Describe an experience in which you helped someone be successful.

4. What strategies do you use to promote inclusion in your work, school or personal life?

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only successful candidates will be contacted for an interview. No phone calls please.

The Pine Project is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to promoting equity and diversity within our workplace and greater community. We work proactively to develop a barrier-free selection process and inclusive work environment where team members feel empowered to express authentic ideas and experiences.

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants with an interest in advancing our mission, vision and values. We especially encourage applications from members of disadvantaged and marginalized groups, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, persons with disabilities, women and/or LGBTQ2S+. If contacted for a volunteer opportunity, please advise us of any accommodation measures required to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received will be addressed in confidence.