Youth Stewardship & Professional Skills

Youth Stewardship & Professional Skills Program

Our Youth Stewardship & Professional Skills Program supports high school students in building skills and entering the job market such as:

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

Each cohort runs once each semester, in the format of a weekly after-school program. Summer runs as a condensed program with a full week of in-person learning and stewardship. Participants in the after-school program earn 20+ volunteer hours for their high school diplomas. Priority is given to youth who self-identify as belonging to an equity-seeking group and who can make the commitment to actively participate in program activities. The final selection will be made from all eligible applicants by random draw.

Summer 2026 Cohort: LIT Camp

Applications are now OPEN for the 2026 Summer Cohort! This cohort will run daily, 10am - 3pm from July 13 – 17 at EcoHouse (22 Veevers Drive). Our focus will be on working with children, and this week-long training is a perfect introduction for those interested in working at a summer camp, including our Nature Kids day camp!

In this program, participants will:

* earn 25 volunteer hours (with perfect attendance)

* gain valuable professional skills and experience

* complete stewardship activities

* learn basic survival skills

* build skills to support future roles as camp counsellors, swim instructors, etc

* receive letters of recommendation as needed
* meet other high school students who value sustainable living
* 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.

Registration Form

If you would like to be added to our list to be notified of updates, join our Youth Opportunities mailing list below!

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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!