Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
FUN Society (Friends Uniting for Nature) is seeking a dynamic and fun individual to join our team as a FUN “Champs” Program Leader and Youth Mentor.
About FUN Society
FUN Society is a dynamic, youth-driven organization dedicated to making learning about the environment and becoming an agent for positive change a fun and rewarding experience. FUN Society is a registered Canadian charity that creates and runs hands-on environmental education programs for kids and youth. We currently operate in Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia. Our vision is to be a leader in environmental education that inspires people into action, helping to create a world where an aware and educated society works together to create positive change.
About FUN Camps
FUN Camps will run from 9am-4pm from July 4th to August 26th 2011 at the UBC Graduate Student Centre. Themes of our camps include energy, water, food, transportation, nature and community. Camp activities include: games, sports, arts, crafts, hiking and gardening. The goal of FUN Camps is to inspire 6-16 year olds into action by:
• Focusing on sustainable and healthy living through a reconnection to nature that is fun, educational, experiential and hands-on.
• Using a collaborative approach, fostering cooperation between camp participants as well as amongst like-minded organizations.
• Nurturing leadership by providing skills and resources as well as mentorship opportunities.
About FUN “Champs” Social Change Awards Program
The purpose of the FUN “Champs” program is to provide youth with the tools, money and mentorship to start social change projects of their own in their schools and communities. At camp, the youth work together to do a project during the week, but they also learn how to plan a project that they can do in the future that will benefit their community. The top project plans developed at camp will win a $500 award to help implement their projects and the youth will be mentored throughout the year to assist them in successfully completing their goals.
About the job
FUN Society is hiring a FUN “Champs” Program Leader and Youth Mentor who will work part time in May and June, as well as in the fall of 2011 to oversee our new FUN “Champs” Social Change Awards Program. In July and August the successful candidate will also work full time as a day camp leader at FUN Camps.
Required Qualifications, Experience and Attributes:
• Experience and passion for teaching or working with 6-16 year olds, particularly in a camp setting
• Ability to work with and supervise people of all ages
• Knowledge of environmental issues and sustainability
• Leadership and organizational skills
• Past “project-planning” experience
• Ability to manage time and work in an unsupervised and self-directed manner
• Skilled in group facilitation and dynamics
• Excellent communication skills
• Passion and incontrollable desire to create positive change
• Self-starter, problem solver and the ability to think on the spot
• Positive, energetic, compassionate, fun, outgoing and creative
• First Aid Training and CPR
• Access to cell phone, computer, printer and mode of transportation
Note: Applicant must be a full-time student who intends to return to school in the fall. Applicant must be a Canadian citizen
Appreciated Qualifications, Experience and Attributes (not required):
• Experience with drama, art, sports, science, technology or music
• Experience in outdoor, environmental or leadership education
• Training or degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Education, Child and Youth Care,
Education or related discipline
• Lifeguarding certificate
• Bike maintenance experience
• Video or photography skills
• Other incredible skills or talents!!
Responsibilities
FUN “Champs” Social Change Awards Coordinator and Youth Mentor
• Works with FUN Camps Coordinators to create the FUN “Champs” program and incorporate it into the curriculum
• Lead FUN “Champs” component of camp during July and August, with FUN coordinator
• Oversee selection process of FUN “Champs” Award winners
• Mentor and support winners of FUN “Champs” Awards Program from September — December to help them implement their project
• Liaises with schools and teachers to ensure the success of these projects
• Documents all FUN “Champs” projects (video, photography, written)
• Updates website with progress of FUN “Champs” projects
• Evaluates and reports on success of program and project
• Reports to the FUN Society Executive Director
FUN Camps Program Leader
• Assists with the delivery of FUN Camps curriculum
• Teaches workshops on leadership, environmental sustainability and other topics.
• Leads games, activities and field trips
• Encourages creativity, personal development, independence and having FUN!
• Creates a positive and safe environment for kids and youth
• Is energetic, enthusiastic and engaged with the camp participants
• Liaises with parents and the public
• Participates in weekly debrief meetings
• Reports to the FUN Camps Program Coordinator
Details:
Rate of pay: $12.50/hour
Hours: May — June — 10 hours/week
July — August — 40 hours per week
September — December — 10 hours/week
Job Start Date: May 20th 2011
Job End Date: December 20th, 2011
Deadline for application: April 25th 2011
Send applications to: maia@funcamps.ca
Please send a resume, cover letter and two letters of reference. We are open to “alternative applications” if you think that there is a way that will do a much more effective job of convincing us that you are the right person to join our team.
*All staff hired will be required to undergo a criminal record check.
*All staff hired will be required to attend a multi-day training retreat in June
