Summer Work Experience & Adventure Program

Supported through various community organizations and charitable foundations and offered by the District of West Vancouver's Youth Services team, the Summer Work Experience and Adventure Program is a unique 6-week opportunity for West Vancouver youth (ages 15–18) that provides them with employment training, a paid work placement and weekly outdoor adventures, such as kayaking and hiking.

The Youth Services team works together with local businesses to provide a positive first work experience for eligible, selected youth and convey a realistic healthy message to our young people about responsibility, relationships, and rewards. This year, the Youth Services team will partner with Power To Be to provide the weekly adventures that we hope will facilitate the further development of communication and leadership skills, plus increase self-regulation capacity in the youth.

Applications for the 2023 Summer Work Experience & Adventure Program are now being received. Please complete and return your applications by no later than Friday, June 23, 2023 at 6 p.m.

Application Form

The first week of the six-week program focuses on workshops and training, such as:
- developing an appropriate work ethic
- preparing for a first job
- interview skills
- resume writing
- first aid training
- healthy living for stress reduction
- employee rights and responsibilities
In addition, youth will develop additional tools that will benefit them at work, at school, and in social settings.

For the remaining five weeks the participants are:
- employed at a business, as closely matched to their areas of interest as possible. There they train on the specifics of that particular job and contribute as a regular employee.
Friday Adventures

Each Friday of the program will feature the opportunity for the group to come together to engage in further trainings and a guided experiential adventure outing such as hiking or kayaking.
The youth who are accepted into the program live in, and/or attend school in, West Vancouver.

Occasionally the program participants are young people who present with issues that can make it difficult to find employment on their own, such as limited support from their families, poverty, language barriers, mental health diagnoses, and/or physical challenges.

Application Checklist

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be considered for the Summer Work Experience & Adventure Program:
- At least 15 years old by July 17, 2023, and no older than 18 years of age by August 25, 2023
- lives in, and/or attends school in, West Vancouver
- legally entitled to work in Canada
- available for ALL of the dates associated with the Summer 2023 session:
  Afternoon of July 5
  
  Full days July 17 – 21, July 24 – 28, July 31 – August 4, August 8 – 11, August 14 – 18, and August 21 – 25.
- has transportation to/from the West Vancouver Community Centre (2121 Marine Drive) and assigned work placement, either on their own and/or through the support of their parents/guardian
- has a Social Insurance Number and their own bank account, or is committed to getting both by July 10, 2023
Please note: These dates are subject to change.

Process and timing

May 1	Applications available
June 23	Application deadline (by 6 p.m.)
June 26 – 29	Interviews
June 30	Final selection and notification
July 5	Mandatory orientation for selected participants
July 17	Summer Work Experience & Adventure Program begins
August 25	Summer Work Experience & Adventure Program end and celebration!