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, and with the Skill-Building stream, Peer Mentors will go on to receive 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 who you’re 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 four-hour sessions.

Peer Mentors must also attend a 2 half days 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