Youth Volunteer Program

About the Program

Building Tomorrow's Leaders Today

The Cowichan Connects Youth Volunteer Program is designed for young people aged 13-25 who want to make a real difference in their community while developing valuable life skills, earning graduation volunteer hours, and building a resume that stands out.

We believe young people are not just the future of our community - they are the present. Our youth volunteers are essential, valued, and celebrated members of the Cowichan Connects team.

Whether you want to help at events, run social media, photograph community moments, or lead other youth volunteers - there is a meaningful role here for you.

What Youth Volunteers Gain

'📱', 'title'=>'Social Media Crew', 'desc'=>'Create content, take photos, write captions, design graphics, and help grow our community online presence across Facebook and Instagram.', 'time'=>'Flexible / Remote', 'when'=>'Year-round', 'skills'=>'Creative, social media savvy', 'hours'=>'2-4 hrs/week', ], [ 'icon'=>'🎉', 'title'=>'Event Team', 'desc'=>'Help set up, run, and tear down community events. Greet participants, manage registration, and bring the energy that makes every event better!', 'time'=>'Event days', 'when'=>'All events', 'skills'=>'Energetic, organized', 'hours'=>'4-8 hrs/event', ], [ 'icon'=>'🍾', 'title'=>'Bottle Drive Helper', 'desc'=>'Join our monthly bottle drives as a counter, sorter, or driver\'s assistant. Great physical activity and a tangible way to see your impact.', 'time'=>'Monthly - Wednesdays', 'when'=>'Monthly drives', 'skills'=>'Physical, team player', 'hours'=>'5 hrs/drive', ], [ 'icon'=>'🎨', 'title'=>'Creative & Design Team', 'desc'=>'Design event posters, social media graphics, and promotional materials using Canva or similar tools. Your creativity helps tell our community story.', 'time'=>'Flexible / Remote', 'when'=>'Year-round', 'skills'=>'Design, Canva, creative', 'hours'=>'2-3 hrs/week', ], [ 'icon'=>'🌟', 'title'=>'Youth Ambassador', 'desc'=>'Represent Cowichan Connects at your school and in your community. Spread the word about events, recruit volunteers, and be a community champion.', 'time'=>'Flexible', 'when'=>'Year-round', 'skills'=>'Outgoing, passionate', 'hours'=>'1-2 hrs/week', ], [ 'icon'=>'📸', 'title'=>'Event Photographer', 'desc'=>'Capture the magic of our community events with your camera or smartphone. Photos are used on social media, our website, and in community reports.', 'time'=>'Event days', 'when'=>'All events', 'skills'=>'Photography, eye for detail', 'hours'=>'4-8 hrs/event', ], [ 'icon'=>'👥', 'title'=>'Youth Leader', 'desc'=>'For ages 18-25 - lead and mentor younger youth volunteers, coordinate youth teams at events, and represent youth on our volunteer leadership team.', 'time'=>'Flexible', 'when'=>'Year-round', 'skills'=>'Leadership, ages 18-25', 'hours'=>'3-5 hrs/week', ], [ 'icon'=>'📢', 'title'=>'Community Outreach', 'desc'=>'Help distribute flyers, put up posters, and spread the word about upcoming events in your neighbourhood, school, and community spaces.', 'time'=>'Flexible', 'when'=>'Before events', 'skills'=>'Community-minded', 'hours'=>'1-3 hrs/event', ], [ 'icon'=>'🎤', 'title'=>'Emcee / Stage Helper', 'desc'=>'Confident on stage? Help emcee community events, make announcements, and keep the energy high at our walks, festivals, and community gatherings.', 'time'=>'Event days', 'when'=>'Major events', 'skills'=>'Confident, public speaking', 'hours'=>'4-8 hrs/event', ], ]; foreach($youthRoles as $yr): ?>

Schedule:

When:

Skills:

Hours:

Apply for This Role

BC Graduation Hours

Earn Your Graduation Hours

BC high school students need 30 volunteer hours to graduate. Cowichan Connects is an officially recognized volunteer opportunity - every hour you contribute counts toward your graduation requirements.

We track your hours carefully and provide official documentation whenever you need it - for graduation, post-secondary applications, scholarships, or employment.

🎓

BC Graduation Requirement

Volunteer hours required to graduate

How Fast Can You Earn Hours?

Join the Team

Apply to the Youth Program

Ready to make a difference? Fill out the application and we'll welcome you to the Cowichan Connects youth team within 48 hours!

📋 Requirements

🎓 Graduation Hours Guaranteed

We provide official volunteer hour letters for BC graduation requirements. Track your hours with us and we'll provide documentation whenever you need it - no hassle, no delays.

"I joined Cowichan Connects at 16 just to get my grad hours and ended up finding my passion for community work. Two years later I'm a Youth Leader and it's changed my life." - Youth Volunteer, Age 18, Cowichan Valley

Questions?

We're happy to answer any questions about the Youth Program before you apply.

Youth Program Application

We'll be in touch within 48 hours to welcome you to the team! 🌟

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

Phone Number *

Age Group *

Current School / Institution (if applicable)

Community Area

Roles I'm Interested In (select all that apply)

📱 Social Media Crew

🎉 Event Team

🍾 Bottle Drive Helper

🎨 Creative & Design Team

🌟 Youth Ambassador

📸 Event Photographer

👥 Youth Leader (ages 18-25)

📢 Community Outreach

🎤 Emcee / Stage Helper

Do you need graduation volunteer hours?

Availability

Tell us about yourself (optional)

If under 18: I have parent/guardian permission to volunteer with Cowichan Connects

I agree to receive volunteer communications from Cowichan Connects. *

Welcome to the team! 🌟

We'll be in touch within 48 hours. You're going to make a real difference in the Cowichan Valley! 💛