Summer Staff & Volunteer FAQs

Founded in 1951, Pioneer Camp Alberta has been operating ever since as a life-changing summer camp for children and youth. we are committed to seeing young people transformed by the love of God actively at work in their lives.

Pioneer Camp Alberta is one camp with two locations! Pioneer Ranch (Rocky Mountain House) was started in 1951, and Pioneer Lodge (Sundre) was started in 1968.

We run day camp & overnight programs throughout the summer for ages 5-19. These programs include leadership camps, camps that focus on specific skills tracks, junior camps, teen camps, girls and boys camps, camps for families and more!

The two sites focus on different age groups:

• Pioneer Lodge: ages 5-11
• Pioneer Ranch: ages 12-19

Volunteering at camp is a great way to:

• 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

Good question!

Between our two sites (Pioneer Lodge & Pioneer Ranch), we have approximately 40 individuals on our Senior Staff teams and over 210 volunteers that serve at the Lodge and the Ranch over the course of the summer.

• 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.

Activities vary depending on the camp session and on whether they are going to Pioneer Lodge or Pioneer Ranch, but they include: horseback riding, swimming, initiative task course, wall climbing, canoeing, archery, one night camp-outs or 4 to 5 day Out-Trips, crafts, a variety of recreational activities, large camp games, tuck, devotions, campfires, and more.

A great question!

Pioneer Lodge: Most accommodations are located in the Lodge, which has a mixture of dorm-style rooms with bunk beds and rooms with twin beds. There are also a few cabins with twin beds and/or bunkbeds.

Pioneer Ranch: Has cabins with a mixture of bunk beds and twin beds.

Your accommodations will change from week to week depending on how many kids we have at camp & your job assignment.

Yes!

• 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

• 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.

We would like you to be at least 17 years old to volunteer at Pioneer OR graduates of Pioneer’s Leadership In Training (LIT) program. Contact the Camp Office for more information about LIT.

Cabin Leaders must be at least 17 years old or graduates of LIT (or equivalent), with other positions being held by enthusiastic volunteers of all ages.

See our Volunteer Job Descriptions for more information on positions and age requirements.

We would love to have you here as much as possible, but some volunteers only come for 1-2 weeks due to their schedule. You can check off when you are available on the application. You are always welcome to add more weeks later!

No problem. For now, just check off 1 week and we can update this once you know. It is better to under commit than over commit as we plan our numbers based on staff availability. You are always welcome to add more weeks later!

For your well-being and for the campers’ well-being, it is important that you are available to attend staff training. If you are unable to attend specific staff training prior to the camp session you are interested in volunteering for, please be in touch with the Lodge’s Summer Director (Rachel) or the Ranch’s Summer Director (Kevin) to discuss options.

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 Kevin.

We have detailed Job Descriptions on our Summer Staff & Volunteers’ page.

Information about whom you report to is found in each job description.

• 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 and our Staff Waiver to sign.
• On arrival, you will be asked to sign our Volunteer Staff Agreement.

The Police Check, Staff Medical Form, Health & Safety Policy, and Staff Waiver are to be signed and/or submitted PRIOR to your arrival at Pioneer Camp.

Note: If you are under 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 our Health & Safety policy.
• You and your parent/guardian will need to sign and submit our Staff Waiver
• You and your parent/guardian will need to sign our Volunteer Staff Agreement.

Yes there is:

• Our online Staff Medical Form (contains waivers and dietary information for the Kitchen)
• Our Health & Safety policy
• Our Staff Waiver
• Our Volunteer Staff Agreement
• Police Check (for those 18+ at the time of volunteering)

The Police Check, Staff Medical Form, Health & Safety Policy, and Staff Waiver are to be signed and/or submitted PRIOR to your arrival at Pioneer Camp.

The Volunteer Staff Agreement will be signed upon arrival.

Note: If you are under 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 our Health & Safety policy.
• You and your parent/guardian will need to sign and submit our Staff Waiver.
• You and your parent/guardian will need to sign our Volunteer Staff Agreement.

Contact our Camp Office for a letter to give to your local police station. (Note: it can take several weeks for a police check to be processed. Apply as soon as possible for one so you have it before arriving at camp to volunteer.)

If you’d prefer getting a police check online, check with your local police authority to see if they provide online checks. If they do not provide online checks, contact our office and we can send you an invitation to complete your police check through BackCheck.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 403-638-2660.

For more information about fundraising for your position, click here.

For more information about applying internationally, click here.

See our Volunteer Calendar for staff arrival/departure dates for each camp session.

• 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.

*Exceptions: Day Camp. See Volunteer Calendar for arrival day and time.

*Exceptions:  Family Camp and Leaders In Training. Volunteers will arrive Wednesday afternoon for both LIT and Family Camp. Arrival times remain the same (between 2:30 – 3:15pm; the first training session will start at 3:30 pm).

Lodge campers leave between 10:30 am – 11:30 am. Following camper departure, the Staff Team (volunteer & paid) will be doing site clean-up, followed by lunch. After lunch, there will be a meeting to discuss the week and wrap up any last-minute details.

We are typically done by 3:00 pm.

*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.

*Exception: Family Camp. Campers leave between 10:00 am – 11:00 am.

A debrief with the Staff Team (volunteer & paid) will be held following the departure of Family Camp and site clean-up.

• 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: Family Camp. Volunteers will arrive 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 10:30 am – 11:30 am. Following camper departure, the Staff Team (volunteer & paid) will be doing site clean-up, followed by lunch. After lunch, there will be a meeting to discuss the week and wrap up any last-minute details. We are typically done by 3:00 pm.

*Exception: Family Camp. Campers leave between 10:00 am – 11:00 am. A debrief with the Staff Team (volunteer & paid) will be held following the departure of Family Camp in the morning.

We are developing packing lists for you and will make them available at a later time, but it would be a good idea to pack:

• 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!

Yes, we will feed you! 🙂

We will provide all your meals from Staff Arrival Day supper to Staff Departure Day supper for each particular camp session (see Volunteer Calendar for staff arrival/departure days). You are welcome to bring along any extra nut-free snacks & beverages that you would like.

Menus include a good variety of kid-friendly foods.

Once you have been accepted as a volunteer, you will be sent an email asking you to fill out an online Staff Medical form that is part of your Human Resources file. In the Staff Medical Form you will be able to tell us about any dietary information that we should know about.

Note: If you are under 18 at the time of volunteering, a parent/guardian will need to fill this out and submit it on your behalf.

Job roles include: overnight cabin leading (camp counselling), day camp leading, group leading, program staff, barn staff, Out-Trip leading, maintenance, kitchen help, worship leading, etc.

Your job role may change from week to week over the course of the summer depending on the camp sessions we are running, the number of volunteers we have, and to give everyone the opportunity to try out new things.

Typically, we will discuss job assignments with you before they are given.

Check out the various positions we have available and their job descriptions!

Our general expectation of you is that you will help to create a positive & caring camp environment centred on serving God in whatever way you can. More specific expectations will be taught to you throughout the training process and within our weekly staff meetings.

• 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.

We enjoy being able to place volunteers in areas they are gifted in & passionate about. In order to be considered for a barn or an Out-Trip leadership role, you will need to attend our specific training for those departments. Job assignments may change each week, so there may be some weeks you are in the requested area and other weeks where you are placed in other roles. The reason for this is to give others the opportunity to try out new positions & also dependent on what our needs are for the week based on camper numbers. We will talk with you about potential positions to ensure you feel equipped and comfortable filling your role.

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 Kevin.

You will be given a minimum of 1 hour break each full day camp is in session. Staff also have the opportunity to attend staff-specific devotions each day.

For the most part, Pioneer Lodge and Pioneer Ranch camp sessions are from Sunday afternoons to Friday afternoons. (See our Volunteer Calendar for specific dates.)

If you live close enough to go home between camp sessions, we strongly encourage you to go home to rest, do laundry, and spend time with your family. This provides a good opportunity to recharge before the next week begins.

For Pioneer Lodge Discovery Sessions 1 & 2 Volunteers: Pioneer Lodge will be closed between the end of these sessions and the start of the next ones (Thursday afternoon to Saturday morning). Volunteers will be unable to stay over during these periods. Please make arrangements to go home, rest, do laundry and come back ready for another adventure!

A FABULOUS question!

The answer is… YES WE DO!

The L.E.A.D. program is an 8 month Gap Year opportunity that will change the way you lead for a lifetime. Practical, real world skills and experiences are the primary teaching tools for character, spiritual and leadership development.

For more information, visit L.E.A.D.