Counsellor FAQs

How many volunteer hours do I get for counselling?

Counsellor training weekend: 21 hours
3 day Outdoor School week: 35 hours
4 day Outdoor School week: 51 hours
5 day Outdoor School week: 67 hours

How do I become a counsellor?

Fill out an online application form. If your application is approved by your School Counsellor and Cheakamus Centre, you will be contacted about attending a training weekend.

Is there a fee to become a counsellor?

Yes, there is a subsidized fee for the Counsellor Training weekend collected through School Cash Online. This is to help cover the cost of the buses, food, etc. There are no additional fees for subsequent counselling weeks.

I go to a high school outside of North Vancouver. Can I still become a counsellor?

Yes. While the property is owned by the North Vancouver School District and the majority of counsellors are North Vancouver students, you are able to apply from anywhere the Lower Mainland.

How do I book a counselling week?

After your training weekend, you will receive an email from our Administrative Coordinator outlining the steps to attend a counselling week. Please review the dates and details and fill in the form with two to three choices of weeks that work for your schedule.

Can I counsel with friends?

We try to group counsellors from different schools together, so you can make new friends and to help create a team atmosphere. We often limit the number of students from one school for this same reason. We’ve found that when large groups of friends come up together, it negatively impacts the team and other counsellors may feel excluded. That being said, you are welcome to request counselling with a friend.

When are the training weekends held?

We have three training weekends throughout the year (usually October, November, and February). The dates will be posted on the counsellor application form. The weekend training is from Friday evening (after school) until Sunday afternoon.

I used to be a counsellor in high school. Now I'm in university. Can I still counsel at Outdoor School?

Yes! We rely on experienced alumni to counsel alongside our high school counsellors. Please email our volunteer coordinator at 90002@sd44.ca to express your interest in returning as an alumni counsellor. It's possible you can also attend the training weekends as a counsellor trainer!

Is transportation to and from Squamish included?

Yes! Cheakamus Centre will organize a bus to pick up yourself and your co-counsellors for both the training wekeend and any subsequent counselling weeks. Pickup and dropoff happens at Carson Graham Secondary.

How many counsellors will be in attendance?

For the counsellor training weekend, we host up to 75 trainees. For each subsequent counselling week, you will be in a group of 14-16 counsellors. This group will be a mix of grades, genders, and schools.

I have some complex needs/access requirements - will I still be able to be a counsellor?

Yes - we strive to create an inclusive environment for all students interested in becoming counsellors. We can plan around mobility challenges/complex needs, and can accommodate other requirements such as ASL interpreters or other assistants on-site.

I have more questions that are not answered here!

Please email our volunteer coordinator at 90002@sd44.ca and we would be happy to answer it.

Hope to see you at Outdoor School!