Lead a delegation or staff a camp
Be a leader to a delegation of children at a camp abroad or help staff a camp locally, and you’ll not only help enrich their lives, but your own as well! By the end of the camp you will have met many exciting CISV volunteers and children from around the world, and made friendships for life.
You will be part of a team of committed, like-minded volunteers working to create an unforgettable experience for the children or young people in your care. Additionally, you will have the support and leadership of our highly experienced staff. As a leader or staff, you will help children and young people develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes they need to take a positive, active role in their local and global community. In your role, you’ll guide them as they build friendships, have fun, and learn from you and each other.
About you
You are aged 21 or over and have a positive and open attitude towards cultures other than your own. You enjoy working with youth in the ages of 11 to 17. You know that learning is a life-long process and that you can gain as much from the CISV experience as our programme participants. You value teamwork and want to promote peace, equality and justice. Lastly, you share our belief that we can all play our part in making the world a better place.
Requirements:You will be free to travel and able to commit to 2 to 4 weeks in a residential camp and the essential training and preparation needed beforehand. You have a valid criminal record check and basic first aid training (CISV Victoria can help you obtain these). You have a valid passport (for camps outside of Canada).
We offer you
While becoming a Leader or Staff is a volunteer position, it pays off by gaining international leadership skills, boosting your resume and career prospects. Most of all, you’ll gain an amazing life experience in a fun, supportive, inter-cultural environment. You’ll receive full training, that is partly online and self-paced, and partly in real life with other aspiring Leaders and Staff.
- Risk-management (self-paced, e-learning course)
- Local training provided by our Local Leadership Trainer and Risk Manager (periodically, as you get ready for your programme)
- National training provided by CISV Canada’s National Leadership Training Committee (two days in May with other leaders/staff from Canadian chapters)
Leader or staff: what’s the difference?
Leaders
Who can be a leader?
Our programs for under-16s are accompanied by volunteer adults. Each delegation of 4 children / teenagers is looked after by such a “leader”. They must be at least 21 years old. There is no age limit to the top. There are no costs for you, but we do not pay any fees, but we are happy to issue a certificate.
Leaders are substitute guardians at the camp, have the legal responsibility for their delegation throughout the programme and, together with the staff, are responsible for the programme design. For the duration of the camp, you are the link between the children and their parents or caregivers. You are the adult the children turn to in time of need. In order to keep the children focused on the camp, all communication between them and their respective parents/caregivers goes through you.
Staff
Who can be staff?
All adult staff in an international programme must be at least 21 years old and a member of a CISV Association, with a minimum of one staff member in each team who is at least 25 years old. Provided other requirements are fulfilled, junior staff (aged 18+) may be able to take part if they are from the host National Association.
International staff
Find out about any current international programme staff opportunities by going to international programme staff opportunities. All international programme staff members must be members of a CISV Association and be at least 21 years of age. Before a Chapter/National Association appoints an international staff member, they are required to contact the candidate’s CISV Association.
Open Positions
Leaders
We currently have leaders for all our 2025 delegation programs. If you are interested in becoming a leader in the future, you can fill email programmes@cisvvictoria.ca with an expression of interest and they'll let you know when we open applications for the 2026 programme year.
Staff
Would you like to help run one of the awesome CISV camps that take place all across the country? Then CISV Canada wants YOU! There are programmes of a variety of lengths being hosted by many different Chapters across the country, and they all need staff. Take a look at all the opportunities below:
- Village: hosted by CISV Calgary (AB) from July 4th to July 31st. Contact calgary@ca.cisv.org.
- Step Up: hosted by CISV Halifax (NS) from July 4th - July 26th. Contact halifax@ca.cisv.org.
- Seminar: hosted by CISV Waterloo (ON) from August 2nd - August 22nd. Contact waterloo@ca.cisv.org.
- National Camp: hosted by JB Canada in Montréal (QC) from July 19th to 26th. Contact njrs@cisvcanada.org.