Become a Volunteer 

Wilderness Mentor Program and Volunteering:

Our volunterr program is designed to give you the skils to become a wilderness mentor.

Why Become a Wilderness Mentor?

You love the outdoors. You want to make a real difference. And want to offer volunteer hours.

The Wilderness Mentor Program brings all three together. Help younger kids discover wilderness skills, build confidence, and connect with nature—while fulfilling your 40-hour volunteer (if you are a highschool student) requirement through meaningful work (not shelving books in a library).

As a mentor, you're not just helping—you're leading. You're showing families what's possible when young people take charge outdoors.

What Mentors Do:

During Events (Weekends)

Co-lead activities with Patrick at weekend outdoor gatherings

Demonstrate skills like fire-building, navigation, shelter construction, and tool use

Support younger kids one-on-one, answering questions and building confidence

Model outdoor safety and best practices

Help with setup and cleanup

Between Events

Share your experience in the Skool community (photos, tips, stories)

Recruit new families by inviting friends and classmates to join

Help plan activities (optional—if you're interested in more leadership opportunites)

Time Commitment

Minimum: roughly 2–5 hours per week, weekend event run from Friday evening to Sunday noon

Flexible: Work around your school schedule and other commitments

Structured: Clear expectations, consistent schedule, real feedback

What You'll Gain

✓ Meaningful volunteer hours that actually count (not busywork)

✓ Learn how to implement Social Media and Ai tools in an actual social enterprise.

✓ Leadership experience mentoring younger kids

✓ Outdoor skills you'll use for life

✓ Community connection with like-minded teens and families

✓ A reference letter from Patrick for college/job applications

✓ Swag & recognition in the Outdoor Kids community

✓ Real impact — families remember you. Kids remember you.

Who We're Looking For

You're a good fit if you:

Are in high school (grades 9–12) or a parent youself and wants to have an impact on kids and the enjoyment of the outdoors

Have some outdoor experience (camping, hiking, or just loving nature) or a genuwine interest in getting some dirt on your hands

Are reliable and show up when you say you will - If you "no show" even once, your volunteer program will be eliminated 

Want to help younger kids learn and grow

Are curious and willing to learn new skills

Can handle a bit of dirt, cold, and adventure

You don't need to be:

An expert outdoorsperson

Certified in anything other than first aid

Already trained in wilderness skills

Perfect—just genuine and willing to try

How to Apply

Step 1: Fill Out the Application

APPLY HERE

You'll tell us:

Your name, school, and grade

Why you want to be a mentor

Your outdoor experience (be honest—we're not looking for experts)

Your availability (which weekends work for you)

Any questions you have

Step 2: Quick Chat with Patrick

We'll schedule a 15–20 minute conversation (in person or video) to:

Answer your questions

Make sure the timing works for you

Get to know you a bit

Step 3: Mentor Training (Early September)

Before your first event, you'll join a 2-hour training session covering:

Outdoor Kids philosophy and community values

Safety protocols and risk management

How to support younger kids

Skill demonstrations and practice

Q&A and troubleshooting

Step 4: Start Mentoring (Late September)

You'll be paired with Patrick and other mentors, and you'll lead your first event.

Timeline

| When | What |

|---|---|

| May-August | Applications open |

| August | We review applications and schedule chats |

| Early September | Mentor training (2-hour session) |

| Late September–November | Active mentoring (weekends) |

| December | Celebration & feedback |

Those who excel in mentorship/leadership program will be considered for future employment.

Questions?

Got questions before you apply? Reach out to Patrick:

Email: kinmotionpat@gmail.com

Skool Community: Post in the #mentors channel

You can join the SKOOL community ever if you are not a volunteer or mentor yet 

CLICK HERE 

Ready to Lead?

APPLY  NOW

Still unsure if this is a good fit for your?  Join our Skool community, it's free and to learn more and connect with other mentors:

CLICK HERE

Outdoor Kids Eastern Ontario is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all mentors and participants. We follow outdoor safety best practices and provide clear risk management protocols.