Conservation Youth Corps (CYC)

Registration is on a first come basis. Select a pick-up/drop-off location and week to volunteer based on your schedule and ability to get to these locations.

Stewardship project locations change each day. CVC staff pick you up in a CVC vehicle and bring you to the project site. By registering, you are confirming that you commit to volunteering for the full week.

Please note: the program runs for eight weeks in the summer, except for the week of August 7. Please register for the week you’re available and plan to attend so other youth can take participate.

Before attending the first day of your CYC volunteer week, you must complete Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) training. You can complete the AODA training online at home. This will take approximately two hours to complete. You will earn volunteer hours for this training. Instructions on how to complete this training will be sent to you once you have registered.

Once completed, you will need to send us a certificate of completion via email.

What: You will help with hands-on stewardship projects led by CVC staff. CYC volunteers typically work on a different project each day. Potential projects may include invasive species removal, maintenance of low impact development sites, taking care of past planting sites, planting wildflowers, trail maintenance, stream restoration, electrofishing, environmental monitoring and data collection of plants and animals and habitat construction.

Where: Meet CVC staff (Crew Leaders) at a local high school Monday to Friday (selected when you register) around 8 a.m. CVC staff will drive you to the worksite to complete the project. At the end of the day, CVC staff will drop you off at the same location around 3 p.m.

Who: Teens (14-18 years old) that have completed grade 8 and are returning to high school, CVC staff and other community and project partners.

Start and End Times: Each day starts around 8 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m., unless otherwise noted closer to each volunteer day.

Schedule:

• Monday: CVC staff will bring you to Terra Cotta Conservation Area and host a training and orientation in the morning to prepare you for your week of volunteering. CVC staff will answer questions you may have. You will take part in a short stewardship project in the afternoon.
• Tuesday to Friday: CVC staff will bring you to different stewardship locations across the watershed, such as parks and green spaces in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Georgetown or Orangeville, or one of CVC’s conservation areas.

COVID-19 Safety: Volunteers are expected to follow COVID-19 guidelines at all times.

• The CYC program is designed to give high school students an opportunity to connect with nature and take part in environmental activities.
• Participants must be between the ages of 14 and 18, completed grade 8 and are returning to high school in the fall.
• Youth can earn up to 35 volunteer hours by participating.
• Participants can register for one week during the summer on a first come basis. Please only register for the week you are available and plan to attend so as many youth from the watershed can participate.
• The CYC program is free thanks to generous support of funders and is offered to youth within the Credit River Watershed.
• Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the pick-up/drop-off locations.
• The program runs rain or shine, with exception of severe weather.
• Participants are expected to follow CVC’s Code of Conduct policies at all times to ensure all participants, staff and partners have the best experience during the program. Participants will review the Code of Conduct with CVC staff during the training and orientation on their first day of volunteering.

The wellbeing of our participants and staff is our top priority. Participants are required to follow COVID-19 best practices and safety protocols:

• Stay home if you are feeling sick, if you have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive or are under self-quarantine.
• Practice physical distancing and best hygiene practices in compliance with local and provincial guidelines. We will do everything we can to ensure participants maintain physical distancing. Staff and participants will be asked to wear a face mask in vehicles if distancing cannot be maintained.
• Bring your own snacks and lunch and water.
• Bring your own mask and gloves. We have extra supplies.
• Equipment and supplies, such as shovels, will be provided.
• Dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes or boots.
• You must acknowledge and read all CVC waivers and forms.
• You must also submit a waiver form signed by a parent/guardian (no digital signatures) in order to participate in the program and complete your registration.
• Online registration and COVID-19 pre-screening are required. You must complete the online self-screening 24 hours before the event and when you first arrive at the event.
• You will receive notification if events change or are cancelled due to COVID-19/pandemic related restrictions.