Camp Odyssey: Be A Counsellor
Camp Odyssey is an ongoing virtual journey for youth across Canada, which takes place throughout the year for cohorts of youth of different ages. Our first camp will be held in March 2021, for youth ages 14-17 (grades 9-12).
We're looking for passionate leaders to serve as counsellors for Camp Odyssey. As a Counsellor, you will help shape the minds of our youth, while meeting like-minded people from across the country.
During this episode of Camp Odyssey, we want to help youth:
Reflect on their stories and the stories of others
Critically think about creating solutions for issues that affect our communities and the world (i.e. universal education, climate change, social justice and equality, etc.)
Explore how faith can help them have a purposeful and fulfilling life
Engage with diverse backgrounds and thoughts within our communities
Make new friends from across Canada
Thank you for your interest. Applications are now closed for this intake.
Coordinated Programming
As the rollout of coordinated programming begins, there is a desire to build an inclusive team of human resources from across the country who are aligned from the outset on implementation. This is not only important for quality programming, but also to ensure continuity and sustainability.
Although we have the unique landscape of working virtually at the moment, the delivery of these programmes should follow a similar rigour and process allowing for the inclusion of in-person and regional deliveries over time.
In order to support this programming, we are seeking several individuals to serve across the Camp Delivery team for the upcoming March episode, and beyond.
Counsellor Responsibilities
Counsellors will be working predominantly in pairs to carry out their roles within a Camp Family structure. They will report into their Programme and Camp Directors (PD & CD) and will be responsible for the following:
- [Pre-camp] Attend all designated training sessions and work with CD and PD to understand programme content, as well as goals and objectives of the camp
- Work with the CD and PD to plan and coordinate virtual camp activities and events as outlined in the lesson plans
- Work with CD, PD and other Counsellors to create a virtual community with ~70-100 participants
- Manage a group of ~10 participants within a small team, fostering a sense of trust and openness
- Mentor and serve as a role model to inspire the next generation of leaders
- Communicate with others (both participants and counsellors) through problem solving and critical thinking skills around the key challenges amongst the youth
- Be willing to learn and facilitate open minded discussions across participant groups
- Monitor engagement of participants during online sessions and identify the type of support/guidance needed for any particular participant of group of participants, with the guidance of the Family Staff, including the Community Wellness Team
- Actively lead and engage participants in community building activities
- Support the Faculty with leading knowledge or skills sessions when/where needed (managing small groups discussions, etc.)
- Support the Workshop/Special Programmes Leads with their activities and sessions when/where needed (managing small group discussions, etc.)
- Reflect on daily experiences and lessons learnt and share ideas/thoughts for discussion with Counsellor group, CD and PD during daily meetings
Required Qualifications
To effectively execute the required responsibilities, Odyssey Counsellors must demonstrate the following qualifications:
- High energy, engaging and dynamic personality
- Ability to build rapport with teenagers
- Strong facilitation skills, with online facilitation experience an asset
- Organized and self-motivated, with strong oral and written English language skills; additional language proficiency is also an asset (French, Farsi, Arabic, Gujarati, etc.)
- Teaching and/or camp counsellor experience preferred, but not required
- Familiarity with online learning and engagement tools such as Padlet, Mentimeter, Kahoot, etc. will be an asset, but training will be provided
- Working knowledge of Zoom, Microsoft Suite, Moodle, etc.
- Willingness to provide a background check
Time Committment
Staff & Counsellor Training:
- 20-21 & 27-28 February 2021, tentatively from 9:00am-1:00pm PST each day.
- Exact timings to be shared closer to the dates.
Programme Orientation:
- Weekend of 26-28 February 2021 (date & time TBD).
Programme:
- 6-7 & 13-14 March 2021 from 9:00am-1:00pm PST each day.
Please note that availability for all of the above dates is mandatory.
Programme Dates
- March 6 - 7, 2021 from 9AM – 1PM PST daily
- March 13 - 14, 2021 from 9AM – 1PM PST daily
The kickoff to the 4 days will be an exciting orientation and community building day (date and time to be confirmed).
Additionally, for counsellors, the duration of engagement each day will be longer on either end of the day.
Programme Times
Camp Odyssey is a national camp, so we have chosen times that will allow everyone to join at reasonable times for their location.
- Vancouver, Victoria: 9am – 1pm
- Calgary, Edmonton: 10am – 2pm
- Saskatoon, Winnipeg: 11am – 3pm
- Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, Toronto: Noon – 4pm
- Halifax: 1pm – 5pm
- St. John’s: 2pm – 6pm
Internet Access
We will be using Zoom and other online platforms and tools for Camp Odyssey. The platforms that we are using should be accessible to the vast majority of participants. If you have questions about Internet requirements, please contact the Regional PM for Camp Odyssey in your area or email CampOdyssey@iicanada.net.
Training
For Staff and Counsellors, there will be a training programme to take place on two consecutive weekends in February: February 20th – 21st & 27th – 28th, 2021 (times to be confirmed). These dates will be mandatory, in addition to the programme camp dates in March.
Language
The language of instruction for Camp Odyssey will be English.
Cette information peut être téléchargée en français ici.
