A volunteer camp

A volunteer camp is a volunteering project led by a multicultural group, in a local community. Supervised by two camp leaders, a group of maximum 15 volunteers from Canada and abroad live an unforgettable learning experience together. 

Engage

Doing a volunteer camp is a way to engage with a community by helping them with real needs. Our host partners reach out to us to help them with projects that aim to generate change, improve the living environment or to have a positive effect in the community. 

25 volunteer hours per week

Projects in volunteer camps can be :  

  • Environmental  (creating walking trails, cleaning shorelines, preserving endangered species, etc.)
  • Heritage preservation (building restauration, painting, construction work, etc.)
  • Cultural (festivals, photography, linguistic exchange, etc.)
  • Social (projects with kids, intergenerational projects, refugee assistance, etc.)

Discover

During your free time, you will have the opportunity to take part in many activities. Meeting the local population is very gratifying and will enable you to develop a sense of belonging to your host community. 

Exchange

Group living is the other main aspect of a volunteer camp. Doing a volunteer camp also means cultural exchange because, in addition to being in a new environment, you will be sharing your daily routine with people from different backgrounds and origins. You will learn a lot from this experience but most importantly, you will build relationships with people from all around the world!

Three stages
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The Leadership in your own hands weekend is a preparatory weekend before the workcamp. This mandatory training will help you better understand what workcamps are and will give you an opportunity to ask all the questions you may have. Volunteers enrolled in a workcamp next summer will have to participate to one of these following sessions: 

  • April 6-7, 2019, in Montreal
  • May 25-26, 2019, in Montreal

If you live outside the greater Montreal, we will gladly help you find transportation and accommodation for the weekend. Moreover, if you are doing a workcamp in Canada, all fees (transportation, accommodation and food) will be covered by Canada Service Corps

Volunteer camps are the heart of this program. For two weeks, you will be living with volunteers who, just like you, came to give a hand to your host community. 

The Volunteers Meetup is the gathering of all the Canadian volunteers who did a volunteer camp during the year. The weekend will be an opportunity to share your experience, continue to engage and think about the future.

The next Volunteers Meetup will be: 

  • September 28 & 29, 2019 

Volunteer camps in Quebec
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This summer, there will be two volunteer camps for 15-17 years old in Quebec. 

Volunteer camps in Canada are part of the Canada Service Corps initiative

Host partners

Our host partners are all non for profit organizations, municipalities or Band Councils. 

Volunteer camps abroad
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Our partners abroad are members of the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations.  Just like us, they manage volunteer camps in their country and welcome volunteers from all around the world.  

Teen volunteer camps are currently offered in Belgium, Estonia and France. 

 Belgium

The Compagnons Bâtisseurs are our partners in Belgium. Their projects aim to support the development of active citizens, able of sense of responsibility, criticism and solidarity.

 

Estonia

Estyes is a non-profit, non-political, non-governmental organisation. It was established in 1991 with the purpose of promoting youth and cultural exchanges for learning and better mutual understanding. 

 

France

Concordia has been promoting peace and intercultural exchanges through international voluntary service projects since 1950.

Solidarité Jeunesses is educational movement based on solidarity, volunteer service, community engagement and political will.  

Costs
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Volunteer camps in Quebec

 

It’s free ! Indeed, volunteer camps in Quebec are part of the Canada Service Corps federal initiative. All fees (transportation, accommodation and food) are covered. However, it is reccommended to bring money for your personal expenses. 

 

The included services are:

  • The Leadership in Your Own Hands weekend (transportation, accommodation and food)
  • CNESST insurance
  • Personal support throughout the program
  • Access to Chantiers jeunesse’s educational platform
  • Membership for one year and ability to participate in the general assembly
  • The Volunteers Meetup (transportation, accommodation and food)

International workcamp. 

Chantiers jeunesse is a non-profit organization and is unfortunately not funded for its activities abroad. This is why registration and participation fees are applicable.

Registration fee : 50 $

Your registration and participation fees directly support the organization (e.g., office, employees’ salary) and provide the services you need.

Participation fee :

  • If this is your first volunteer camp with Chantiers jeunesse, the fee is $450.
  • If you have already completed a volunteer camp with us, the fee is $360.
  • You can also participate in several volunteer camps each year. In that case:
    • The second volunteer camp will cost $150.
    • Subsequent volunteer camps will cost $100.

Please note: additional fees may apply depending on the hosting partner.

The included services are:

  • The Leadership in your own hands weekend (transportation and accommodation at your expense if required)
  • CNESST insurance
  • 24-hour assistance abroad
  • The participant’s guide
  • Access to Chantiers jeunesse’s educational platform
  • Support in seeking financing (cashing checks if needed)
  • Membership for one year and ability to participate in the general assembly
  • The Volunteers Meetup (transportation and accommodation at your expense if required)

What is included during the volunteer camp:

  • Food
  • Accommodation
  • Exploration activities
  • A local English-speaking camp leader

What is not included in the registration and participation fees:

  • Transportation and accommodation in Montreal for the training weekend
  • Plane ticket and transportation to the volunteer camp
  • Additional fees that may apply depending on the hosting partners (note that there are multiple destinations that don’t have additional fees)
  • Passport, and medical and hospital insurance
  • Visa and vaccines if required
  • Personal expenses 

Accommodation and meal
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Room and board are provided during the volunteer camp. Accommodations depend on the project. Groups can live in community centres, dormitories or tents.Boys and girls sleep in separate rooms. 

They’re also allocated a budget for groceries. This is an opportunity to cook and share culinary specialties. So don’t forget your recipes!

Volunteer camps calendar
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Volunteer camps will be in July and August will each last 2-3 weeks.

Eligibility criteria
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  • To be in between 15 and 17 years old during the volunteer camp
  • To be a Canadian citizen or have been granted the status of permanent resident or refugee by the Canadian government.

How to register
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Registration for volunteer camps will open on Februaray 1st, 2019. 

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Chantiers jeunesse is available to answer questions and provide support before, during and after the volunteer camp. Feel free to contact us at any time!

Apply