Responsibilities:

• •   Assist Youth Leadership Specialists in facilitating programming
• •   Assist Youth Leadership Specialists with equipment, set-up, and take-down on event days
• •   Supervise and engage youth participants during programming
• •   Create a welcoming and fun atmosphere for all youth participants
• •   Provide appropriate leadership and role modeling to youth participants
• •   Lead activities, games, or icebreakers while Youth Leadership Specialists are momentarily preoccupied
• •   Act as a First Aider at events (if qualified; CWF staff are also certified in First Aid)
• •   Lead events or webinars/lessons about a topic you are knowledgeable or passionate about (if you’re up for the challenge!)
• •   Help promote the WILD Outside program at booths, career fairs, and community events

Volunteers who are a good fit will:

• • Be reliable and punctual
• •   Be available for a minimum of 2 events per month. Events typically take place on evenings and weekends.
• •   Arrange their own transportation to and from events

Read the Full Job Description >

Responsibilities:

• •   Plan and facilitate events, outdoor activities, and conservation service projects
• •   Work with and coordinate other volunteers in the execution of the program
• •   Participate in service projects and outdoor activities alongside participants and Volunteer Team Assistants
• •   Supervise youth program participants
• •   Assess and manage risks
• •   Purchase and store approved program supplies (paid for by CWF)
• •   Report and log events and incidents with your WILD Outside Volunteer Led program Specialist
• •   Monitor, track, and report results of the delivery of the program
• •   Be a role model for youth and lead by example  
• •   Create a safe environment in which participants feel comfortable to be themselves

Volunteers who are a good fit will:

• •  Be able to commit to 1 year of volunteering and delivery of 2 events per month for a minimum of 2 hours each. Events are typically on evenings and weekends, with program planning being completed outside this time.
• •   Have a valid Standard First Aid & CPR certification or higher, or be willing to complete at own expense
• •   Have reliable transportation to and from event sites
• •   Maintain reliable and regular electronic communication with WILD Outside Volunteer Led program Specialists and participants
• •   Have access to a computer and internet
• •   Have good judgement, decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational skills

Read the Full Job Description >

Responsibilities:

• •   Assist Volunteer Team Leaders with planning and facilitating events, outdoor activities, and conservation service projects
• •   Assist Volunteer Team Leaders in setting up, tearing down, or handling equipment for the planned events of the day
• •   Supervise youth program participants, including communicating expectations and rules during programming
• •   Participate in service projects and outdoor activities alongside participants and Volunteer Team Leaders
• •   Collaborate with Volunteer Team Leaders to brainstorm events, activities, and projects
• •   Be a role model for youth and lead by example  
• •   Create a safe environment in which participants feel comfortable to be themselves

Volunteers who are a good fit will:

• •  Be able to commit to 6 months of volunteering and delivery of 2 events per month for a minimum of 2 hours each. Events are typically on evenings and weekends.
• •  Have reliable transportation to and from event sites
• •  Maintain reliable and regular electronic communication with Volunteer Team Leaders

Read the Full Job Description >

A: If you are 15 to 18 years old, whether you are in high school or no longer attending, you are eligible to participate in one of the WILD Outside programs in your area. Youth under the age of 18 will require the permission of a parent or guardian to participate. Participation in the program will not interfere with your school schedule. You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada to apply.

A: WILD Outside is a free program, there are no membership fees. You will be provided with all the equipment you need to participate in recreational activities and conservation efforts, although you are free to bring your own equipment if you so choose. If you require special assistance, please contact Kira Balson or Paul Diamond to see what accommodations may be available for you. Unless stated otherwise, no food will be provided at these events, so you will be expected to bring your own food and water bottles.

A: WILD Outside is a drop-in program, you can attend as many or as few events as you’d like. While each event aims to teach you new things and improve your skills, our instruction in each event is not intended to be built upon one another like a lesson plan. Likewise, our service projects will rarely span more than one day. If you join WILD Outside midway through the program, you will not be behind, late sign-ups are just as welcome.

A: Absolutely! We encourage you to spread the word about this amazing program, we only ask that your friend is also between the ages of 15 and 18 and has the permission of a parent or guardian to participate. If you have a guest in mind, contact your group leader to arrange the necessary paperwork.

A: We encourage you to gain as many volunteer hours as possible, as it serves your community and contributes to any service hours that may be required by your school. Both recreational activities and conservation projects hosted by WILD Outside will count towards your service hours and will be based on the length of each event you attend. Attending our many WILD Outside webinars will also count toward your 120 hours. If you decide to take initiative and perform conservation services outside of the program, be sure to let us know and it could count towards your 120 hours!

A: We are always open to new opportunities to collaborate with the communities our program serves. Much of our programming relies on partnerships with local conservation areas, as well as collaborations with youth groups, faith-based groups, outdoor activity groups, and non-government organizations. Our program offers tremendous flexibility, and you can customize the WILD Outside event to meet a specific need of your community or the goals of your organization. For example, maybe you are a local environmental group with a focus on a particular lake or wild area in your town, with WILD Outside, you could host an event to clean up the lake’s shoreline or remove invasive species from the wild area. Please reach out to Kira Balson or Paul Diamond directly to discuss the possibility of a mutually beneficial relationship.

A: Yes, you can sign up as a group to be volunteers with your friends or family. However, each member of your group must meet our requirements outlined in our volunteer job description. We also require that you appoint a designated leader among yourselves to hold the other volunteers accountable and to appoint tasks.

A: WILD Outside does not provide certification courses to volunteers in the program. If you already have formal certification or in-kind life experience, you will be able to lead participants safely in more rigorous or adventurous events. All requested events must undergo a risk assessment to examine your idea, your qualifications to lead the event, and the equipment needed. Upon approval, all necessary equipment will be provided to you.