Pre-
Summer
training
Pre-Summer Training
We have a number of workshops and training opportunities available prior to summer. These workshops are not required (except the Staff Leadership Orientation for many positions) but will provide you with the learning experience necessary to work in particular areas.
See below for an overview of each opportunity and more details about each one.
To register for an opportunity or for more info, email staff@qwanoes.ca.
Overview
| Opportunity | Dates |
|---|---|
| Challenge Course Instructor Workshop | May 2-4, 2025 |
| Counselor Training Seminar | May 9-11, 2025 |
| Staff Leadership Orientation | May 23, 2025 |
| Waterski/Wakeboard Instructor Training Workshop | May 30-June 1, 2025 |
| Lifeguard Development Program | January-June 2025 |
To register for any of these opportunities, please email staff@qwanoes.ca or give us a call.
For more info about each opportunity, see below.
Challenge Course Instructor Workshop
📆 Dates: May 2-4, 2025
If you desire to serve in a dynamic high-adventure setting, this is for you. Experience the joy of offering challenges to people of all ages that will build their self-confidence, communication, problem-solving, and team-work abilities.
🙌🏼 Highlights
Learn to lead rock-wall climbing and ropes course activities—including first-hand experience on all elements. You will get an intensive theoretical and experiential introduction to adventure program planning, how elements work, group facilitation skills, technical skills, and safety and risk management. Belay school training will be provided for beginners. No previous experience is necessary.
🏅 Certification
Participants who complete this workshop successfully will achieve Qwanoes Challenge Course Instructor Level One.
👤 Workshop Coordinators
Julie Bayley (Associate Director) and the Recreation Coordinator
💲 Cost
$120 (or free if accepted to an appropriate Qwanoes 2025 Summer Staff position)
Counselor Training Seminar
📆 Dates: May 9-11, 2025
This is a rigorous, condensed version of our summer Counselor-In-Training course, and is offered to adults who have graduated from high school. This seminar is strongly recommended for those who plan to counsel this summer and are new to Qwanoes or have no previous counseling experience.
🙌🏼 Highlights
Discover the importance of becoming the kind of leader whom God can use in the lives of others. Learn and discuss the theory of discipleship and leadership in the camp setting through several sessions each day. Gain skills and knowledge in counseling, servant leadership, preparing and leading devotions, camper characteristics, discipline, and communicating the gospel. Participants will receive a copy of a book about serving at a Christian camp.
👤 Seminar Leaders
Qwanoes Summer 2025 Head Counselors
💲 Cost
$120 (or free if accepted to an appropriate Qwanoes 2025 Summer Staff position)
Staff Leadership Orientation
📆 Dates: May 23, 2025
This will provide essential preparation for your role as a leader this summer. Refine your vision and prepare to serve as a leader! This dynamic weekend will help shape the core of our summer staff team as together we will seek to lay the foundations for effective ministry.
Discuss the issues surrounding your role as a leader at Qwanoes this summer. This weekend will help you work together with other leaders as a team and make you aware of the vision, philosophy, and guiding principles of Qwanoes. It will help you get ready to tackle issues faced by any leader and those specific to this ministry. A “can’t miss” opportunity!
🙌🏼 Highlights
Discover the importance of becoming the kind of leader whom God can use in the lives of others. Learn and discuss the theory of discipleship and leadership in the camp setting through several sessions each day. Gain skills and knowledge in counseling, servant leadership, preparing and leading devotions, camper characteristics, discipline, and communicating the gospel. Participants will receive a copy of a book about serving at a Christian camp.
👤 Seminar Leaders
Scott Bayley (Qwanoes Executive Director) and other Qwanoes Directors
Waterski/Wakeboard Instructor Training Workshop
📆 Dates: May 30-June 1, 2025
Space is limited (priority to summer staff applicants). You must be at least 17 years of age (by Dec. 31, 2024), already know how to slalom waterski and/or wakeboard, and/or are applying for boat driving. Boat drivers must be at least 18, have a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), and have a standard first aid certificate.
🙌🏼 Highlights
Develop skills that will enable you to coach waterskiing and wakeboarding—including lots of practical experience. You will get an intensive theoretical and experiential introduction to ski program planning, teaching skills, technical skills, and safety management.
This workshop will focus on preparing you to teach combo and slalom waterskiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, trick skiing and includes introductory boat driving. Note: special training for boat drivers and waterfront leadership will begin May 31 at 12:30 pm.
🏅 Certification
Participants who complete this workshop successfully will achieve Qwanoes Waterski/Wakeboard Instructor certification.
👤 Workshop Coordinators
Julie Bayley (Associate Director) and the Recreation Coordinator
💲 Cost
$150 (or free if accepted to an appropriate Qwanoes 2025 Summer Staff position)
Lifeguard Development Program
📆 Dates: January-June 2025
Develop skills in leadership and ministry that will be valuable for the rest of your life! Check out this new training stream being offered at Qwanoes with two options: CIT/Lifeguard & LIT/Lifeguard
Up to 7 to 8 spots are available (4 CIT/Lifeguards and 3-4 LIT/Lifeguards). A minimum 8-week commitment is needed for Summer 2025.
This is offered to those who are applying for the CIT or LIT programs in summer 2025. Must have strong swimming ability (note: already having Bronze Cross is an asset) and be at least 16 years old and able to take your NLS course by mid-June (before Staff Training).
🙌🏼 Highlights
Get your Bronze Cross and NLS – very valuable training – with the costs shared (50%) by Qwanoes. Attend a free training workshop at Qwanoes in the spring (dates TBD). Receive very valuable training and experience that could lead to future job, career, educational, and scholarship opportunities.
🏅 Certification
Participants who complete this workshop successfully will achieve Qwanoes Waterski/Wakeboard Instructor certification.
👤 Program Coordinators
Julie Bayley (Associate Director) and the Recreation Coordinator
💲 Cost
$150 (or free if accepted to an appropriate Qwanoes 2025 Summer Staff position)
