Amazing Summer Job/Volunteer/Employment Opportunities for Toronto teenagers/youth

In honour of my 70th post on this blog, I am going to post 4 of the best Summer Job/Volunteer/Employment/Enrichment Opportunities and Programs for Toronto kids, all at a minimal or decent expense.

1. YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange (SWSE)

The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange is a unique national exchange program that brings together youth from various communities across the country. Participating youth, aged 16 and 17, have the opportunity to improve their second official language skills, and gain important employment experience through a work placement while on their exchange.

Within local participating communities, other community partners such as exchange hosts, employers, our summer staff and the community at large also both contribute to the program and benefit from participation.

In 6 short weeks over the summer, participants go on a journey that will forever impact their life. Learning more about themselves, discovering another part of Canada and the people that make up our great nation, taking on new challenges, making new friends and, having so much fun, participants agree this experience is THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME! The cost is only $50 for registration fees. The rest of the program is covered through VIA Rail and the Government.

 2. The Explore Program

Five-Week French-Language Bursary Program — Most expenses are covered!

Are you looking for a spring or summer program to learn French? Do you want to discover another region of Canada and meet new people? Go Explore!

Explore is a five-week intensive language-immersion course. You can take the course in the spring or summer, whichever you prefer. Participants in Explore receive a $2,000 bursary (taxable income) that covers tuition fees for the courses, instructional materials, meals and accommodations, workshops, and other mandatory activities. Eligibility requirements include being 16 or over and finished Grade 11.

The best part is that you can receive a $2,000 bursary for the institution you applied to study at (ranging from University of Victoria to University of Montreal). You have a choice to put down preferences for which province/territory you want to study at during the spring/summer.

3. Katimavik

Katimavik is Canada’s leading youth volunteer service organization for Canadian citizens aged 17-21 or 18-35 (for the eco-internship). By taking part in one of our intensive volunteer service and learning programs, you will help change Canadian communities,  be the difference, and learn more about yourself.

As a Katimavik volunteer, you will work full-time for not-for-profit organizations that play an important role in community development and support. Volunteer periods are for 6 months, starting in either January or June each year, where you are reimbursed for you volunteering at $2 per day. It is a lifetime oppurtunity to meet other youth from around Canada. Spots are always limited as they pay for your housing, transportation, food, basic necessities, and program activites for 6 months. There is only a $300 registration fee and a $350 travel deposit upon acceptance.

4. Ontario Rangers

DO YOU... 

·         Need a summer job?

·         Want to help the environment?

·         Enjoy the outdoors?

·         Seek out new adventures?

·         Like to make new friends?  

WERE YOU ... Born in 1995?  (You can ONLY BE ELIGIBLE if you are in your Grade 11 summer)

If so, the Ontario Ranger Program might offer the once-in-a-lifetime summer job experience that you are looking for! Accommodation, food, and most travel is covered. You can even earn 1 or 2 co-op credit for doing this, WHILE getting paid simultaneously. There are always thousands of applicants each year. Spaces are limited, but if you're lucky, you can be drawn by our lottery system.

 This program aims to provide participants with a unique combination of work, learning and life experiences.

As an Ontario Ranger, you will live and work at one of 13 Ontario Ranger camps across the province for 8 weeks in the summer. 

Some of your work projects may include: 

·         Working in Ontario Parks -- creating and maintaining portages, hiking trails and water access points

·         Assisting in research of species at risk and other wildlife

·         Planting and cleaning-up along streams

·         Creating and monitoring habitat for fish and wildlife

·         Participating in local community events

There you go! I really hope you get the chance to apply for these. I know I really wanted to do Ontario Rangers last year but couldn't because I missed the application deadline by 3 days. I was devastated. But please look into them. They are once-in-a-lifetime enrichment opportunities that can't be missed.