Peer Mentors help deliver our Nature Stewards programs for high school youth, working alongside EYA program coordinators.

The Peer Mentor program starts with a two-day group training. Peer Mentors will go on to attend weekly skill-building workshops. All Peer Mentors will be paired with an EYA coordinator to support the delivery of one multi-week Nature Stewards program.

You’ll receive one-on-one mentorship and coaching in land-based education and youth work from the EYA coordinator you are paired with and will have opportunities to reconnect with other Peer Mentors to share experiences.

Peer Mentors play an important role in the delivery of EYA’s Nature Stewards programs. Specific responsibilities include:

• Mentoring and supporting youth participants
• Leading opening and closing circles
• Leading icebreakers and relationship-building games
• Facilitating simple activities related to program content - e.g. plant of the day
• Taking photos and videos for social media
• Helping with program set-up, clean-up, and lunch preparation

We honour the experiences and interests you bring to the Peer Mentor program, and goal setting is a big part of the program. We want to support you to build the skills you want to grow and will weave your goals into our program days to help you achieve them. Some of the skills we can support you to develop include:

• Group facilitation and management
• Land-based/environmental education
• Youth work, including strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches
• Equity and inclusion practices
• Teamwork and communication
• Knowledge of native plants and wildlife
• Approximately 120 hours of practical experience working with young people

Additionally, we are happy to provide a certificate verifying your volunteer hours and references for future opportunities.

All of EYA’s program coordinators are youth ages 22-30 who identify as Indigenous, Black, and/or People of Colour with experience and training in land-based education, youth-work, and creating safe and inclusive spaces. You can get to know them and read their bios here.

The Nature Stewards program is a land-based education program for youth ages 14-18 from equity-deserving communities. Each program consists of 10-12 four-hour sessions, engages a group of 10 youth participants, and focuses on one of four themes: native plant horticulture, ecological restoration, plant medicine, and community leadership. The programs also integrate Indigenous teachings like honourable harvest and reciprocity with the land through visits from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers from various nations. Learn more here.

We ask that Peer Mentors commit to weekly skill-building workshops and to supporting one Nature Stewards program consisting of 10-12 five-hour sessions.

Peer Mentors must also attend a 2 day group training at the beginning of the program. The total time commitment is 120 hours.

Spring and Fall Nature Stewards programs happen weekly (e.g. every Saturday or Sunday for 10 weeks). Some summer programs are weekly while others are condensed (e.g. Monday - Thursday for two weeks).

When applying, you’ll have an opportunity to indicate which days you are available to become program support.

Leading up to the program day, you'll receive the lesson plan in advance so you can review it and get comfortable with what's coming up. On program day, you’ll arrive 30 minutes before the program starts to review the upcoming day, gather materials, and help with set up. Throughout the program, your role will be to support youth to engage in the program. This can include one-on-one youth support, supporting group management, facilitating opening/closing circles and other small activities, and generally bringing enthusiasm to increase youth engagement. You'll also help ensure the program runs smoothly by helping to set up/clean up lunch, helping with washroom breaks, and organizing program materials. At the end of the program day, you'll stick around for 30 minutes to help with clean up, and debrief with your coordinator to reflect on how the day went and what we can work on moving forward.

We use the following communicable disease protocols to keep our staff and participants safe:

• Face masks are optional. EYA provides disposable masks for staff or participants who choose to wear them.
• If a participant is sick, they should notify an EYA program staff right away.  EYA staff may direct the participant to wear a mask / maintain distance from other participants, or ask them to go home.
• Hands must be washed or sanitized:
  • When entering and leaving the garden
  • After coughing or sneezing
  • Before and after eating

We strive to make our programs as accessible as possible for our participants by being transparent on the inherent barriers that exist, and providing adequate support where possible. We recognize that disabilities are experienced on a spectrum and accessibility needs vary. Here are a few aspects of our programs which may create barriers or require further support to participate safely and comfortably:

• Outdoor programming: Rain or shine, in public greenspaces. We have large tents, and warm layers to lend, but participants are exposed to the elements throughout the program day.
• Program areas: uneven ground that has rocks & roots and can be slippery at times.  Some steps and ledges in indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Group dynamics:  The group dynamic can be stimulating, chaotic, and noisy at times.  Participants can step away as needed if overstimulated.
• Communication: Largely verbal.  Facilitators will utilize visual supports such as white boards and diagrams to support when possible. 
• Accessibility of washroom facilities: At our Strathcona site, the composting toilet is not wheelchair accessible.  At the ravine site, the washroom is a 5 minute walk away, but is wheelchair accessible.
• Activities: Many EYA activities are physical, such as games, digging, planting, walking.  Many activities can have alternative options and be adapted as needed.
• Digital learning: Some programming utilizes digital tools such as video conferencing, slideshows, and online collaboration. Closed captioning is available for video meetings.  Program registration generally takes place online, but paper applications are available.

Accessibility needs are extremely specific to the individual, and therefore this list is not comprehensive. When a youth applies for a program, we provide the opportunity to share about any health concerns, challenges or physical limitations that may require accommodations to support their participation in the program both in our application form and in our confirmation calls.  We can then work together to explore ways that we can adapt our programs and provide support to increase the accessibility.  Please reach out to us directly with any questions or concerns.