Volunteering  Canada

Art, music and gardening program for elderly people in Vancouver
       Vancouver, British Columbia          June 8 - June 28, 2008
       Vancouver, British Columbia          June 29 - July 19, 2008
       Vancouver, British Columbia          July 20 - August 9, 2008
       Vancouver, British Columbia          August 10 - August 30, 2008

Volunteer project: Haro Park Centre is the largest care facility in the West End of Vancouver. It provides independent housing, assisted living and complex care for elders. Haro Park supports the Eden philosophy and is committed to creating a human habitat where life revolves around close and continuing contact with plants, animals, children and youth. Haro Park Centre aims at establishing a homelike environment that emphasizes a quality of life supporting the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual well-being of each person.
Volunteers will contribute to the quality of life of the elders by taking part in a multifaceted program involving residents in gardening, art, music activities, walking and just being outside in the summer time.

Volunteers would accompany staff and residents on outings allowing the involvement of more residents. Volunteers would be paired with residents for walking and will assist staff with the gardening, art and music programs. Volunteers will accompany residents on trips to the museum, art gallery, parks as well as bus trips for picnics or prearranged tours. Walks or bus trips will be organized to sites for art sessions or gathering items for art at Haro Park Centre such as leaves, flowers, etc. The group will help organize a walking event in which residents compete at different levels – walking category, wheelchair, etc. Volunteers are expected to be creative, flexible, respectful and responsive to the residents’ needs.

Accommodation: In the Haro Park Centre’s building. Volunteer should bring sleeping bag.

Location: Haro Park Centre is located in Downtown Vancouver, close to museums, theatre, art gallery, upscale shopping and Stanley park with its beaches and other attractions. Vancouver’s most popular shopping area – the trendy Robson street is just a block away. The centerpiece and green heart of Vancouver is Stanley Park, the city's most famous landmark, and one of the largest parks in any urban centre in North America. There are wooded trails, open playing fields, secluded lakes, gorgeous gardens, and the Vancouver Aquarium, the largest in Canada. A seawall walkway meanders along the park's perimeter, with beautiful views of the city skyline, the harbour, beaches, and the spectacular North Shore Mountains. Vancouver's fame as one of the most beautiful cities in the world is tied to Stanley Park's popularity.

You can see a short movie for Vancouver if you click here or on the banner below.

Nearest international airport: Vancouver, BC

Age range: 19-30 years
 

 

Environmental, restoration and social work with first nation kids
       Koeye Lodge, British Columbia          July 13 - July 26, 2008
       Koeye Lodge, British Columbia          July 27 - August 9, 2008

Volunteer project: Located in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest and overlooking the Pacific, the Koeye (pronounced “kway”) have been for millennia cherished by the Heiltsuk First Nation people for its healing and sustenance and have been a home for 'Qaikas Nan' - the Great Grizzly Bear. Nestled at the mouth of Koeye River is the Koeye Lodge - a non-profit society that is committed to supporting Heiltsuk youth, culture and environment. This summer they are opening a traditional ceremonial Bighouse which is to support the culture and science camps organized for kids and youth as well as their healing programs.
Volunteers will assist the Heiltsuk First Nation with restoration project and the completion of the traditional ceremonial Bighouse. They will be also involved in some work with the youth culture and science camps, healing courses and non-profit ecotourism which will also be on site.

Volunteers will help landscaping the Bighouse area, including bushing, moving sand and rock, stream clean-up, rock fire pit work and building. Among the other planned activities are clearing and building trails, some garden preparation for medicine and demonstration gardens and collecting plants, assisting the set up of obstacle course for team building. Volunteers may also take part in some plant propagation and pruning for trails as part of a 1000-year restoration plan for a small logged area.
Around 30 first nation kids at the age of 10-15, some of whom with disabilities, attend the culture and science camps at Koeye Lodge each week. Volunteers will be involved in organizing and attending some activities with those kids. Each Friday night, a feast is held around the big camp fire, filled with traditional songs, dances and ceremonies. Kids present what they’ve learned of their cultural history and the elderly tell stories about the past.

Requirements: Volunteers are required to provide a clear criminal record check.

Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in small cabins with bunk beds. Sleeping bags required. Canoes are available for use of the volunteers in their free time. All facilities are within a half kilometer of the Bighouse. The place is very remote but well equipped.

Location: Koeye River Watershed, 30 miles south of Bella Bella and 70 miles north of Port Hardy. Surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches and rugged coastline with numerous islands, inlets and coves, this magnificent area offers breathtaking scenery and wildlife. To get an idea of this amazing natural beauty, see the slideshow of the local hosting organization, click here.

Nearest international airport: Vancouver, BC

Age range: 19-30 years
 

 

Summer day camp program for children with autism
       Comox Valley, British Columbia          July 12 – August 2, 2008

Volunteer project: The Comox Valley Child Development Association provides services for children with special needs and their families. With the help of international volunteers they would like to provide social and recreational summer day camp program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ages 10-15 years. The children are quite high functioning in certain areas, but often struggle with social skills and the mastery of appropriate communication and behaviour. The project will include one week intensive training of the volunteers followed by the 2-week day camp with the kids.

"I know for me it was an experience of a lifetime that I will always cherish
and hope it was the same for the kids."  James L., Cadip volunteer 2007

The volunteers will learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how to support these children in a social/recreational program. Under the direction of the campleader, the volunteers will support the children to participate in small group activities such as planning and performing skits which explore daily life with ASD, preparing lunch meals, exploring the community on daily outings including local lakes, rivers, beaches and farms, etc. The group work is intended to provide children with specific tasks and encourage both appropriate social and communication skills. Volunteers will also help to create a handbook about summer activities for youth in the Comox Valley drawing on the experiences of the workcamp. The volunteers involved in this project will gain valuable insight into the world of autism.

Requirements: Volunteers need to be fluent in English. They are required to provide a clear criminal record check.

Accommodation: In a building. Volunteers need to bring sleeping bags.

Location: Stretching along the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, the Comox Valley is a collection of rolling mountains, alpine meadows, rushing rivers, pristine lakes, lush forests, fertile farms, sandy beaches and green parks. The City of Courtenay (20,000 inhabitants) is the urban and cultural hub of the Comox Valley with its downtown considered to be one of the most vibrant and charming downtowns on Vancouver Island and an incredible cultural district that includes theatre, art gallery, museums and paleontology centre.

Nearest international airport: Victoria, BC

Age range: 19-30 years