Summer Staff & Volunteer FAQs
Staff & Volunteer applications for summer 2021 are NOW AVAILABLE! We are excited to get a team back together after a year apart for an amazing summer.
We are eagerly looking forward to summer camp in 2021. Although there may still be uncertainty about what the upcoming months may hold, we are preparing and planning for an exciting summer of outdoor activities, fun themes and great friendship connections for campers. Online Registration will be opening on March 1st.
2021 Summer Camp Staff Schedule
Click on a name of the camp session to learn about the week(s) that you may be serving.
- Pioneer Lodge Volunteer Arrival Times: 2:30 pm (Exception: Day Camp: 7:30 pm)
- Pioneer Ranch Volunteer Arrival Times: 3:30 pm
Pioneer Lodge (Sundre) Staff Calendar.
Dates | Session | Ages | Camp Type |
---|---|---|---|
July 3-July 6 | Discovery Session 1 | 6-9 | Co-ed |
July 5-July 9 | Day Camp | 5-9 | Co-ed |
July 10-July 16 | Horsemanship Skills Session 1 | 10-11 | Co-ed |
July 17-July 23 | Junior Boys | 9-11 | Boys |
July 24-July 29 | Discovery Session 2 | 6-9 | Co-ed |
July 31-August 6 | Quest | 9-11 | Co-ed |
August 14-August 20 | Junior Girls | 9-11 | Girls |
August 21-August 27 | Horsemanship Skills Session 2 | 10-11 | Co-ed |
Pioneer Ranch (Rocky Mountain House) Staff Calendar.
Dates | Session | Ages | Camp Type |
---|---|---|---|
June 29-July 9 | LIT | 16-19 | Co-ed |
June 30-July 4 | Family Camp | All Ages | Families |
July 3-July 9 | Breakaway | 12-14 | Co-ed |
July 10-July 23 | Senior Girls | 12-18 | Girls |
July 24-July 30 | Junior Skills Zao | 12-15 | Co-ed |
July 31-August 13 | Senior Boys | 12-18 | Boys |
August 14-August 20 | Senior Skills Shefa | 14-18 | Co-ed |
All About Pioneer Camp Alberta
- Pioneer Lodge: ages 5-11
- Pioneer Ranch: ages 12-19
- Have one of the most fun and exciting summers of your life!
- Make an impact on the lives of children and youth
- Develop leadership skills
- Be part of an amazing Christian community
- Grow in relationship with God as you serve Him in a meaningful way
- Gain diverse work experience and build your resume
- Pioneer Lodge has a Leadership Team of 15-20. The number of volunteers per camp session depends on the type and length of the session, but averages around 30.
- Pioneer Ranch has a Leadership Team of 20-25. The number of volunteers per camp session depends on the type and length of the session, but averages between 30 to 50.
- Pioneer Lodge & Pioneer Ranch: all accommodations have electricity
- Pioneer Lodge: regular flushing toilets & showers in both the Lodge and in majority of cabins
- Pioneer Ranch: regular flushing toilets & showers located in Shower Houses close to the cabins
Hiring Process
Information about whom you report to is found in each job description.
- Start by completing an online application. You can find that here.
- You’ll need to submit references as a part of the application process.
- You will also need to get a Police Check.
- Reference information submitted in the online application will be used by the Camp Office to send electronic reference forms to the names you have provided.
- Once both the application & references have been received, you will be contacted for an interview.
- You will be contacted by a camp director.
- Your placement will be discussed.
- You will be sent an email asking you to fill out and submit an online Staff Medical Form (contains waivers and dietary information for the Kitchen).
- You will be sent our Health & Safety policy to sign.
- On arrival, you will be asked to sign our Volunteer Staff Agreement.
- A parent/guardian will need to fill out the Staff Medical Form and submit it on your behalf.
- You and your parent/guardian will need to sign and submit The Health & Safety policy.
- You and your parent/guardian will need to sign our Volunteer Staff Agreement.
- Our online Staff Medical Form (contains waivers and dietary information for the Kitchen)
- Our Health & Safety policy
- Our Volunteer Staff Agreement
- Police Check (for those 18+ at the time of volunteering)
- A parent/guardian will need to fill out the Staff Medical Form and submit it on your behalf.
- You and your parent/guardian will need to sign and submit The Health & Safety policy.
- You and your parent/guardian will need to sign our Volunteer Staff Agreement.
Training Opportunities:
- Hard Skills Training Weekend is held each year at Pioneer Ranch [Check website for dates]. This weekend focuses on equipping staff and volunteers in the skills needed for leading our Sr. Boys and Sr. Girls out-tripping programs. The focus will be on developing solid out-tripping leadership skills in the area of group management in camping. Areas of skill development will be in leading groups in camp set-up and in on-trail and off-trail activities.
- Outdoor Council of Canada Field Leader courses are offered throughout the year. [Check website for dates.] These courses equip staff and volunteers with the skills needed for leading or support-staffing our out-tripping programs, focusing on providing training in the areas of Field Leader Equine (Riding), Field Leader Hiking, Navigation (Map Reading) or Field Leader Overnight (durations of longer than one day).
- Spiritual Leadership Training Weekend is held each year at Pioneer Ranch [Check website for dates]. This is for ANY volunteer position, but is especially helpful in equipping cabin leaders. This weekend is designed to teach, grow and develop you spiritually; equipping you to become a better spiritual leader in whatever role you find yourself this summer. We all know that we can only lead from within the limits of our own experience – so let’s grow those limits! There is no cost for this weekend, but a donation towards food costs is appreciated.
- Wilderness First Aid Certification: For more information, contact Jenny.
A Day in the Life
- Pioneer Lodge: We begin our staff training the day before campers arrive.
- Please arrive on Saturday afternoons between 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm; the first training session will start at 3:30 pm.
- Saturday afternoon & Sunday set the stage for what the week ahead will hold, who will be doing what roles, role specific training, theme and team building.
*Exception: Day Camp. See Volunteer Calendar for arrival day and time.
Lodge campers leave between 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm. Following camper departure, the Staff Team (volunteer & paid) meet to discuss the week and wrap up any last minute details. We are typically done by 5:30 pm, but volunteers are welcome to stay for supper before departing as a thank you for spending the week with us.
*Exception: Day Camp. Campers leave daily between 4:30 pm – 5:10 pm. A debrief with the Staff Team (volunteer & paid) will be held following their final departure from Day Camp in the evening. We will be finished clean-up and debrief by 7:30 pm on the final day of Day Camp.
- Pioneer Ranch: We begin our staff training the day before campers arrive.
- Please arrive on Saturday afternoons any time after 3:30 pm; the first training session will begin at 4:00 pm.
- We will discuss schedules, job roles, expectations for the week, theme and team building, making sure you are all prepared for the adventure to come
*Exceptions: Leaders In Training (LIT) and Family Camp. Volunteers will arrive Tuesday afternoon for LIT and on Wednesday afternoon for Family Camp. Arrival times remain the same (any time after 3:30pm; the first training session will begin at 4:00 pm).
Ranch campers leave between 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm. Following camper departure, the Staff Team (volunteer & paid) meet to discuss the week and wrap up any last minute details. We are typically done by 5:30 pm, but volunteers are welcome to stay for supper before departing as a thank you for spending the week with us.
*Exception: Family Camp. Campers leave between 9:30 am – 11:00 am. A debrief with the Staff Team (volunteer & paid) will be held following the departure of Family Camp in the morning.
- If you are cabin leading, your first priority is to care well for the campers in your care.
- If you are a program/support staff, you will often be asked to assist with serving, dishes, and jumping in on other support tasks throughout the day.
Electronic Devices: A specific expectation is to limit your use of electronic and mobile devices while at Pioneer Camp. We are all about unplugging our campers from their everyday lives and plugging them into creation and the One who created our world.
Cleaning: You will be will be required to assist as directed with cleaning and sanitization procedures as directed by leading health authorities.
Training Opportunities:
- Hard Skills Training Weekend is held each year at Pioneer Ranch [Check website for dates]. This weekend focuses on equipping staff and volunteers in the skills needed for leading our Sr. Boys and Sr. Girls out-tripping programs. The focus will be on developing solid out-tripping leadership skills in the area of group management in camping. Areas of skill development will be in leading groups in camp set-up and in on-trail and off-trail activities.
- Outdoor Council of Canada Field Leader courses are offered throughout the year. [Check website for dates.] These courses equip staff and volunteers with the skills needed for leading or support-staffing our out-tripping programs, focusing on providing training in the areas of Field Leader Equine (Riding), Field Leader Hiking, Navigation (Map Reading) or Field Leader Overnight (durations of longer than one day).
- Spiritual Leadership Training Weekend is held each year at Pioneer Ranch [Check website for dates]. This is for ANY volunteer position, but is especially helpful in equipping cabin leaders. This weekend is designed to teach, grow and develop you spiritually; equipping you to become a better spiritual leader in whatever role you find yourself this summer. We all know that we can only lead from within the limits of our own experience – so let’s grow those limits! There is no cost for this weekend, but a donation towards food costs is appreciated.
- Wilderness First Aid Certification: For more information, contact Jenny.
- Enough clothes for the week for a variety of weather conditions
- Bathroom/ hygiene items including towels
- Swim suit
- Variety of foot wear including close-toed shoes
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Water bottle
- Pillow/Sleeping Bag/Bedding
- Flashlight
- Bible
- Willing attitude
- Servant’s heart
- Sense of fun & adventure!
Internship Opportunity
For more information, visit L.E.A.D.