Who We Are
Camp Outlook is a charitable organization dedicated to serving youth in the greater Kingston area. Since 1970, we have been providing summer wilderness canoe tripping experiences in Algonquin Provincial Park. Camp Outlook does this to provide young people with the opportunity to develop their self-worth, inner strength, and their capacity to succeed. The woods act as a leveling ground from which all members of the group can start anew. By leaving behind the social roles that are expected of them, our campers can explore a non-judgmental environment where they can take more risks and learn about themselves. We believe that every young person should have the opportunity to go to camp and experience the benefits of the outdoors, and as such we do not charge any fees for campers to participate. Our campers come from a wide variety of backgrounds and are referred to us by schools, social workers, doctors, and community organizations.
Disappointed because you have no tripping experience? NO PROBLEM.
We provide everything necessary for our volunteers to learn how to lead safe and fun canoe trips, which includes training, certifications, tripping equipment, housing, and food throughout the summer.
Description
The summer begins when you arrive in Kingston to begin training. Over the first 6 weeks of the summer, you will be trained in all the skills you will need from paddling, camp cooking, and first aid to communication, conflict mediation, and emotionally supportive strategies. Training includes an 8-day canoe trip in Algonquin Park to solidify your wilderness camping and leadership skills. The following certifications are provided at NO cost to you as part of the training:
– Advanced Wilderness & Remote First Aid
– Bronze Cross/Bronze Medallion
– Mental Health First Aid for Adults who Interact with Youth
– MEND restorative conflict mediation training
– A few qualified volunteers will also get an F-class driver’s licence to drive our vehicle
During July and August, you will embark upon at least three 9-day canoe trips in Algonquin Park. Our trip groups are small; allowing us to create an excellent community spirit and get to know the campers better. We allow you the freedom to personalize your trips in most areas, and a large part of the role is to prepare every aspect of your trips before you leave. While in the park, you have responsibility for our campers, and as such you must ensure that they have a positive and safe experience throughout their trip.
On a typical day you will prepare breakfast for your group and coordinate site take-down and packing. From your backcountry campsite you will paddle across lakes and move on land carrying your equipment (“portaging”) to get to your next site. Between one site and the next: the day is yours! Break it up with games, swimming, long lunches and snacks, or general relaxing at your discretion. In the evenings, you will light your campfire and begin dinner as the campers set up their tents and shelters. This is a great opportunity to teach skills such as rope work and fire craft. After dinner, everyone tends to be pretty tired out, and you can take a relaxed evening to chat with your campers, play cards, and watch the stars before falling asleep in the beauty of Algonquin Provincial Park.
Everyone are expected to participate in ALL training sessions from the end of May until the beginning of July. Training looks different than a 9-5 day; Camp Outlook requires dedicated training commitment and is run throughout all given days of the week.
What we need from you:
– An unwavering commitment to our campers.
– No prior experience, certifications, or formal education is necessary, but an openness to learning, feedback, and adaptability is required.
– An unwavering commitment to each other. You will be living, collaborating, and socializing with a large group of diverse people. An openness to different perspectives, equitably supporting each other, respect, and general self awareness is paramount.
Camp Outlook values having a diverse team and a team that reflects the backgrounds of our campers. People (age 18+) of all backgrounds, identities, and life experiences are encouraged to apply.
Volunteers are required to arrive in Kingston May 16th for training, then lead at least 3 camper trips throughout July and August. Time off may be arranged between trips but this is not guaranteed.
This may seem like a large commitment, and that is because it is. Camp Outlook is a rare gem in the camping community and our volunteers find their time with Outlook to be extremely rewarding and unforgettable.
To apply
Please visit campoutlook.ca/volunteers for a link to the online application.
If you have any unanswered questions, feel free to email the summer directors at summer@campoutlook.ca.
Deadline is April 1st, 2020.
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