Populo Serviendo - Serving the People

Create a welcoming space for older adults to connect over coffee, conversation, goodies and games! Duties include preparing light refreshments, welcoming participants, sharing community resources, and facilitating activities and conversations. Shifts are once per week for 2-2.5 hours. Ages 19+.

Recruitment for this role is currently closed. However, you can join the waitlist! To learn more and join the waitlist for the program at your nearest Recreation Centre, use the links below:

Whether you're preparing decorations for Autumn Lantern Fest, leading crafts at Family Arts Fest, or serving up ice cream at Strawberry Fest, you are bound to have a memorable volunteer experience at these vibrant community gatherings. Ages 15+. To learn more and join our volunteer mailing list, click the link below:

Park Ambassadors walk through PKOLS (Mount Douglas Park) on a regular basis. They welcome visitors, share interesting park info, and answer questions while helping others understand how they can protect and care for this special place. They also provide helpful feedback to Saanich Parks by observing, recording and reporting on defined issues and by recording their activities. To learn more and apply, click the link below:

Love being outdoors and looking for ways to give back to nature and your community? Volunteers with the Pulling Together Program work in 45+ different Saanich parks and natural areas to remove invasive species, restore natural areas, and enhance biodiversity. Joining this wonderful community of volunteers will nurture your own health and well-being, too!

There are three ways to get involved:

1. Drop in to a work party:
Drop-in volunteers sign a waiver at each event and receive tools and training from the Lead Steward volunteer. This is a great way to try out the program and volunteer on a flexible schedule. To get started, check out our Pulling Together Events Calendar for a list of projects welcoming drop-in volunteers.

2. Become a Restoration Assistant:
After you've tried a few drop-in sessions, you may register as a volunteer with Saanich Parks. Restoration Assistants work under the guidance of a Lead Steward volunteer and are the main workforce behind the ecological restoration projects. Registered volunteers don't need to sign waivers and also receive invitations to learning and appreciation opportunities. To learn more and register, click Restoration Assistant below. 

3. Become a Lead Steward:
The Lead Steward is the project leader for a given restoration site. You will welcome, train and supervise other volunteers, liaise with Saanich Parks staff on a regular basis (including setting up an annual restoration plan), and act as an ambassador for Saanich Parks and the Pulling Together volunteer program. To learn more and apply, click Lead Steward below.

Support our quality programming in Cedar Hill Arts Centre's ceramics studio! Volunteers ages 16+ can assist with hands-on registered classes, while volunteers 19+ can help deliver a welcoming and well-run Open Studio experience. To learn more and apply, click the links below:

Join the fun as community comes together on Wednesdays and Fridays to enjoy drop-in table tennis at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre! We’re seeking a volunteer to help host this busy program, which has up to 10 tables in use at a time. To learn more and apply, click the link below:

Volunteer with weeklong, half-day outdoor preschool camps this summer at Saanich Commonwealth Place. You'll help children ages 3-5 discover the natural world and learn about local animals through songs, stories, and games. This role is ideal for those who love working with young children and who can bring positivity, patience, and a joyful approach to nature discovery and play! Ages 15+. To learn more and apply, click the link below:

Shadow Lifeguards gain meaningful experience supervising the pool deck, assisting with First Aid, learning about equipment and deck set ups, meeting facility specific needs, working on activities to improve their skills as Lifeguards, and being part of a dynamic team. As supervisors mentor and evaluate their contributions, volunteers in this role may have the opportunity to become employed as Lifeguards with Saanich Recreation. This role requires the following certifications: NL - Pool and Waterpark, Standard First Aid with CPR-C, and AMOA. To learn more and apply, click the link below:

Shadow Swim Instructors are responsible for observing and assisting the instruction of general recreational aquatics programs at Gordon Head Recreation Centre.  This volunteer position is intended for those who have certification or are in progress of completing co-teach hours. Ages 15+. To learn more and apply, click the link below:

Volunteer with weeklong, full day camps this summer at Gordon Head Recreation Centre or Gordon Head Middle School! You'll help children ages 5.5-12 have a fun camp experience. To learn more and apply, click the link below: