The Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival is one of the most successful in Canada – in large part due to the fun-loving, enthusiastic volunteers.
Once again the International Children’s Festival is putting out a call for about 600 volunteers needed to man site positions from May 26 to May 30.
Festival organizers have arranged a two-day volunteer open house at Cornerstone Hall on Tuesday, April 28 and Tuesday, May 12.
Focused in downtown St. Albert along the banks of the Sturgeon River, the five-day festival is a magnet for more than 50,000 school children and visitors arriving from across the province.
“It’s pretty unbelievable how much fun they have and how much it changes them. Volunteers tell me how much it re-energizes them, and when kids have fun with them it spreads like wildfire throughout the site,” says volunteer manager Elizabeth Wilkie.
Most usher and registration positions are already filled, however Wilkie still needs a large core staffed at site activities, hospitality, the youth ambassador program and the green team.
“We really need quite a few site activity assistants to assist in areas that vary from origami and paper making to Epic, a new activity where you choose your own adventure throughout the performance. We need volunteers for Green Fools stilt walking workshop and Toddler Town. This year we have a new activity, Viking weaving and we have Viking combat on Sunday, ” says Wilkie rattling off only a partial list of site activities.
For individuals who enjoy working indoors, in particular prepping snacks for volunteers, Wilkie encourages them to sign up for hospitality.
And if an individual prefers the outdoors, face painting and joining the green team are popular choices.
“The green team maintains the site. They clean tents, the front plaza and they pick up garbage. They are what keep our grounds looking beautiful. People who volunteer for green team don’t necessarily want to interact on a personal level at a site activity. They enjoy working with a few people and are looking for more responsibility.”
The Youth Ambassador Team has been expanded to include more adolescents. Many of their duties include meeting and greeting the yellow school buses, introducing artists at main stage venues, serving as information guides, supporting Toddler Town and providing roving information.
“More than 50 per cent of our volunteers are under 18 and many take a portion of class time off to participate in the festival. In many cases we are their first reference. We try to keep copious notes so we can have that conversation with employers.”
Volunteers are asked to work three shifts ranging from two to five hours each. In return they receive a T-shirt, water bottle, sponsor gift certificates and tokens to redeem for merchandise or main stage shows. A pancake breakfast is hosted at the festival and a volunteer recognition event will be hosted on Saturday, June 6.
The minimum volunteer age is 12 years old.
“Anyone under the age of 18 needs a youth waiver from their parents or guardians.”
Volunteers older than 18 require a criminal record check at their local police detachment.
The volunteer open house is an opportunity to talk to staff and ask questions. Shift sign-up sheets will be available. A representative from St. Albert’s RCMP detachment will also be available to facilitate a criminal record check.
“We value volunteers and we’re more than willing to listen and never close the door to someone who wants to make a difference. We’re always ready to have a conversation in what works best and how to accommodate volunteers and to make sure everyone has a great experience.”
