Outdoor School Counsellors

Co-counsellors, staff, campers, and anyone else involved with [Cheakamus Centre], thank you for all that you have given me, I will never be the same. - Grade 12 student

Counsellors are at the heart of Outdoor School

Become an Outdoor School counsellor for the 2023-2024 school year!

Grade 10-12 high school students act as youth leaders and role models for visiting students. They lead afternoon and evening activities, assist teachers on field studies, and foster a strong connection with kids in their cabins.

Confidence and leadership skills are built through training weekends and on-site mentoring by staff, alumni and experienced peers. Counsellors strengthen their communication and team-building skills as they help create a fun, inclusive environment for everyone.

Along with a new counsellor name, many gain a sense of community, purpose, and deep connection to the natural world they are immersed in. Some counsellors even gain work experience hours (for more information on this, please talk to your school counsellor).

For many who visit Outdoor School, their counsellors are what they remember most, along with the baby goats. This legacy of youth leadership, from visiting students to counsellors to alumni, is a foundation of Outdoor School.

Click here for more information on the process to become an Outdoor School Counsellor.

To request a Letter of Reference, please email odsleaders@sd44.ca

Apply Now: fill out the webform below to apply to be an Outdoor School Counsellor!

Click here for to contact us about specific questions not covered in the Counsellor FAQs.

Student Volunteer Application

Note: This is an application only. Prior to your attendance as a counsellor with the Outdoor School Program, you will be invited to attend a weekend training workshop. Due to the volume of applications received, we cannot guarantee your first choice of training workshop. You will be contacted by email approximately one month prior to the workshop for which you are confirmed for.

There is a $150 fee to attend the workshop - this subsidized fee includes all meals, snacks, transportation and accommodation from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. If you require financial support to assist with the workshop fee, please contact your school administrator.

Reminder that this program is for grade 10-12 students only. Priority will be given to students in the North Vancouver School District, however students from other high schools in the Lower Mainland are able to apply as well.

Volunteer Information

First Name

Last Name

Preferred Name (Optional)

If you have an Ancestral Name you would like us to use, please share it.

Personal Email

Personal Mobile Number

Gender

Birthdate

School

Other School Name

Grade

Student ID Number

Functional Language Skills

In addition to English (Hold CTRL/CMD to select multiple options)

Describe why you want to become a counsellor in the Outdoor School program

Describe any leadership experience or qualifications you feel would be helpful in being a counsellor

Counsellor Training Workshop Preferences

First Preference

Second Preference

Third Preference

Parent or Guardian Information

Relationship

ParentGuardian

First Name

Last Name

Parent/Guardian Phone Number

Parent/Guardian Email

Secondary Parental/Guardian Contact (Optional)

Name, Phone Number and Email Address

Household Address Information

Street Address

City or Town

Province

Postal Code

Cheakamus Newsletter

Our newsletter gives regular updates on activities, programs, special events, and general information about Cheakamus Centre.

Sign-up

Yes - please sign me up!No, thank you

If I am selected and if I attend a counsellor training workshop, I agree to volunteer in the Outdoor School Program as a counsellor at least once before I graduate.
Prior to attending a counselling week, I will obtain permission from a parent/guardian, teachers, counsellor and my principal.

Payment Details: Please do not include any payment at this time. Once confirmed for a training workshop, payment of the training fee will be collected via School Cash Online through your school account.

Declaration

I have reviewed this application and discussed the scope of the Outdoor School Counsellor Program with my custodial parent/guardian, and they consent to this application.

Yes!