Summer Camp General Volunteer

Zajac Ranch Job Description – Summer Camp General Volunteer

About Zajac Ranch:

Zajac Ranch is an inclusive and accessible camp located on 41 acres in Mission, British Columbia. Our summer medical camps provide children, youth, and young adults living with complex medical conditions and disabilities the opportunity to experience friendship, adventure, independence, and the joy of camp. Our onsite medical team helps make these experiences possible by providing safe, compassionate, and responsive health support throughout each camp session.

Location: Mission, British Columbia

Position Type: Volunteer

Season: Summer Camp 2027, with additional year-round opportunities

Schedule: Weekdays and/or weekends, depending on the volunteer role and program needs

Reports To: Camp Director, Department Manager, or Designated Staff Lead

Position Overview:

Zajac Ranch welcomes enthusiastic, dependable, and caring volunteers to support our Summer Camp 2027 season and other programs throughout the year. Volunteer opportunities may be available in food services, barn and animal care, facilities and grounds, camper and program support, special events, administration, and other operational areas.

Assignments are based on program needs, volunteer interests and experience, scheduling, age and screening requirements, and the level of supervision available. Volunteers work under the direction of Zajac Ranch staff and are not expected to take on responsibilities that fall outside their training or assigned role.

General Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Support the delivery of safe, welcoming, inclusive, and well-organized programs and services.
• Follow direction from the designated staff lead and complete assigned tasks safely and responsibly.
• Maintain a positive, respectful, professional, and team-oriented approach.
• Follow Zajac Ranch policies, procedures, safety expectations, confidentiality requirements, and professional boundaries.
• Respect the dignity, privacy, independence, and individual needs of campers, guests, staff, and fellow volunteers.
• Report safety concerns, incidents, injuries, damaged equipment, or other concerns to a staff member promptly.
• Work cooperatively with staff and other volunteers and assist in other appropriate areas when reasonably required.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Kitchen & Dining Support

Volunteers may support the Food Services team with meal and dining-room operations.

• Set tables and prepare dining areas for meals and snacks.
• Clear and bus tables, assist with dishwashing, and support kitchen cleanup.
• Assist with basic food or snack preparation where directed.
• Restock service areas and help maintain clean, organized workspaces.
• Follow all food-safety, sanitation, allergy, and dietary procedures.

Barn & Animal Care Support

Volunteers may support the Equine Program with animal care and upkeep of barn areas.

• Assist with feeding, watering, mucking stalls, sweeping aisles, and organizing equipment.
• Prepare supplies and support setup and cleanup of ground-based animal programming.
• Assist with participant activities only when directed and appropriately trained.
• Follow all animal-handling, biosecurity, and barn-safety procedures.

Previous horse or farm-animal experience is an asset. Volunteers must be comfortable working around large animals.

Facilities & Grounds Support

Volunteers may assist the Facilities team with general property, grounds, and setup projects.

• Support painting, cleaning, organizing, landscaping, gardening, and seasonal property projects.
• Move, set up, or store tables, chairs, equipment, and supplies.
• Prepare camp, activity, or rental spaces for upcoming groups and events.
• Report hazards, damaged equipment, or facility concerns promptly.
• Complete only those maintenance tasks that are appropriate to the volunteer's experience, training, and assigned duties.

Experience with landscaping, painting, carpentry, construction, or general maintenance is considered an asset.

Camper & Program Support

Volunteers may assist camp staff in creating a positive, inclusive, and engaging experience for campers. These volunteers work under staff direction and are not solely responsible for camper supervision.

• Support campers during activities, meals, transitions, special events, and other group experiences.
• Encourage participation, inclusion, friendship, teamwork, and a sense of belonging.
• Assist staff with activity setup, cleanup, materials, and general program support.
• Provide social and practical support while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Support mobility or participation needs only where appropriate and within the volunteer's training and assigned role.
• Communicate observations, concerns, or support needs to the appropriate Zajac Ranch staff member.

General Volunteers must not independently provide medical care, personal care, physical intervention, one-to-one behavioural support, or unsupervised camper care unless specifically authorized, trained, screened, and assigned to do so.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Additional short-term or project-based roles may include:

• Arts and crafts or recreation support
• Special events and fundraising activities
• Registration and check-in assistance
• Administrative and office support
• Gardening and outdoor projects
• Cleaning, organization, and program preparation
• Rental-group or community-event support
• Other assignments based on operational needs and volunteer skills

Qualifications & Skills:

• A genuine interest in supporting children, youth, young adults, families, or community programs.
• A positive, respectful, flexible, and team-oriented attitude.
• Reliability, punctuality, and clear communication.
• Ability to follow instructions, ask questions, and recognize when support or clarification is needed.
• Respect for confidentiality, personal boundaries, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion.
• Comfort working in an active and sometimes fast-paced camp environment.
• Ability to work independently when appropriate and collaboratively as part of a team.

Previous experience in camp, recreation, hospitality, food services, maintenance, equine care, childcare, administration, or nonprofit/community work is considered an asset, but formal experience is not required for all volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Requirements:

• Complete the required volunteer application, screening, and interview process.
• Provide references where requested.
• Complete a satisfactory Criminal Record Check and, where required for the assigned role, a Vulnerable Sector Search.
• Attend orientation and any role-specific training required before beginning the assignment.
• Review and sign applicable confidentiality, privacy, safety, code-of-conduct, and volunteer agreements.
• Follow all health and safety requirements, including any food-safety, infection-prevention, animal-safety, or program-specific procedures.
• Wear clothing and footwear appropriate to the assigned duties.
• Notify the designated staff lead as soon as possible if unable to attend a scheduled shift.

Certain volunteer assignments may have minimum age, physical ability, certification, experience, or additional screening requirements.

Time Commitment & Working Environment:

Volunteer opportunities may include weekday or weekend shifts, full-day or half-day assignments, individual events or projects, multiple summer shifts, or year-round opportunities. Scheduling is coordinated in advance based on volunteer availability and program or operational needs.

• Work indoors and/or outdoors and move throughout a large rural property.
• Work in changing weather conditions and active or occasionally noisy environments.
• Work around animals, water, recreational equipment, food-service areas, or uneven terrain, depending on the assignment.
• Stand, walk, lift, carry, move, or organize supplies and equipment where the assigned duties require it.

Volunteers are encouraged to advise Zajac Ranch of any accommodation needs so that participation can be supported safely and successfully.

What Volunteers Will Gain:

• An opportunity to contribute to meaningful camp and community experiences.
• Hands-on experience in a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven environment.
• Opportunities to develop teamwork, communication, leadership, organization, and practical skills.
• Volunteer hours for school, employment, or community programs, where applicable.
• The chance to make a positive contribution to the Zajac Ranch community.

Volunteer Position & Meals:

This is an unpaid volunteer position. Meals may be provided during scheduled volunteer shifts depending on the length and timing of the assignment. Any additional volunteer benefits or reimbursements will be discussed in advance.

How to Apply:

Interested parties should submit a resume by following the link provided.