Youth Stewardship & Professional Skills

Youth Stewardship & Professional Skills Program

Spring Cohort: Deadline to apply: March 31, 2026 at 11 PM

Summer 2026 Cohort: LIT Camp

Program Details:

Build real-world skills, earn volunteer hours, and make an impact in Hamilton 🌱 This program supports youth in developing:

Public speaking
Networking
Resumes & interviews
Setting healthy boundaries, and more

Participants earn 20+ volunteer hours (after-school) or more in summer programs. Priority is given to youth who self-identify as belonging to equity-seeking groups. Final selection is by random draw.

🌸 Spring 2026 Cohort: Falcons & Air Quality

📅 April 1 – June 10, 2026 (10 weeks)
Hybrid program (in-person + virtual)

Work alongside Hamilton Falconwatch to explore how air quality impacts Hamilton’s peregrine falcons. Participants will help plan and deliver Clean Air Day 2026.

In this cohort, you will:

Earn 20 volunteer hours
Gain hands-on event planning experience
Create social media & outreach materials
Option to present to a crowd of 100+ people
Meet like-minded youth and build connections

🗓 Key Dates:

March 31 – Application deadline
April 1 – First session (EcoHouse)
June 3 – Clean Air Day event
June 10 – Wrap-up session

📍 Location: EcoHouse (22 Veevers Drive) + select off-site sessions

Deadline to apply: March 31, 2026 at 11 PM

Apply for Spring Cohort

☀️ Summer 2026 Cohort: LIT Camp

📅 July 13–17, 2026 | 10 AM – 3 PM daily
In-person at EcoHouse

A hands-on, week-long training focused on working with children—perfect for those interested in summer camp roles like counsellors or instructors.

In this program, you will:

Complete stewardship activities
Learn basic survival skills
Build skills towards being a camp counsellor or a swim instructor, etc
Receive letters of recommendation
Meet other high school students who value sustainable living
spend time having fun outside in nature
Earn a certificate to add to your resume
Receive first priority for a volunteer position with our Nature Kids program where you could receive 60+ volunteer/community service hours
Spend time having fun outside in nature

Participants in the LIT camp can choose to earn volunteer hours as youth guides during one or more weeks of Nature Kids Summer Camp (weeks of July 20 and 27, August 4 and 7), earning up to an additional 60 volunteer hours!

Participation in this training program is available for free, or sliding scale cost for those able to contribute financially.

Apply for Summer Cohort

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Jasmine Montrichard

High School Student

I liked that it focused on professional skills and gave an informative introduction to environmentalism and the current issues Hamilton is facing such as invasive species, pollution, and accessibility to nature. I loved that the participants displayed their genuine interest and engagement in the program. This program definitely helped me with public speaking anxiety, project management, and working together in a group to make sure our project was finalized and delivers what goals we set relating to environmentalism and youth engagement. Would highly recommend it to those who want to learn and develop professional skills such as emails, interviews, resumes, and more.

Jordyn Boyer

Youth Climate Activist and High School Student

I absolutely loved both Youth Stewardship programs I participated in, each of them were thoroughly planned out, and ripe with valuable experiences. Despite taking the program two times, I can honestly that I learned and gained so much from both programs. No matter your goals in life I would recommend this program to any and all students. Thank you so much, Green Venture!

Alexus

Grade 10 Student

The Youth Stewardship program is very informative and is a super great way to feel more involved with the environment. I learnt a lot of new things about being in the work force, how to create a proper resume, and how to present yourself in an interview. Creating and working on new projects in the program went super smooth and really improves your creative, collaborative, and researching skills. You also meet lots of new people, who are incredible and super helpful to work with. Definitely coming back!