Working in exchange for theatre tickets is the ideal way for an energetic student to meet new and old friends, have fun and discover an instant community.
The 44th annual International Children’s Festival of the Arts recently put out a call for 350 volunteers to operate the four-day event running May 29 to June 1.
Avalina Zenari, a 2023 St. Albert High graduate currently enrolled at NAIT’s Radio and Television Arts programs, was one of the first to book time for the event. Her maiden voyage as a festival volunteer took place in 2019.
Since then, Zenari volunteered in different roles as a workshop and activity assistant, hospitality and green team. This year she’s working as an activity assistant during a circus workshop.
“I love creating connections. I’m a very social person. I love talking to people. I love connecting with people and making good memories. Through the festival you get to do that. Being part of creating memories for children means a lot to me, and as a volunteer I see the impact on children and the community,” said Zenari.
While the positions of team captains have been filled, roles are still available as team leaders, youth ambassadors, venue ushers, green team, hospitality, volunteer registration and activity assistants.
“Different positions require different attributes. If you’re interested in working in Toddler Town, we’d be looking for energetic volunteers eager to engage with young children. For the green team who happily roam around the festival, we would need someone who likes the outdoors and keeps the area clean,” said Kathleen Bell, children’s festival volunteer manager.
Bell goes on to state it is more difficult to fill the position of team leader.
“Team leaders oversee an activity. They direct their fellow volunteers and liaise with artists. They need to be comfortable with leadership and have people skills. It’s fun and if you want to feel valued, know we cannot run the festival without a network of team leaders,” Bell said.
The youth ambassadors are the festival’s front face and act as “a mobile information booth. They greet school buses and make sure classes get to shows, washrooms, shows and activity centres. I look for someone confident in speaking to the public and someone who is willing to learn new information and deliver it to the people who need to know.”
The single largest number of volunteers required to run the festival are activity and workshop assistants. They support instructors keeping the area clean, handing out materials and assisting children.
“There is a huge variety from the slower, more easy-going crafts and printmaking to the more action-packed b-boying, hoola hooping and drumming.”
Venue ushers experience a combination of hectic ticket-taking interspersed with long lulls between shows.
“It is action packed for 10 minutes while you help load in and load out as efficiently and safely as possible. They go fast and the plus is you get to watch the show.”
The Green Team’s main function is keeping the site clean of litter and cleaning sticky picnic tables from ice cream, spilled juice and food residue.
Hospitality, a private eating area and resting spot for volunteers, offers free snacks and water throughout the festival run.
“Hospitality is great if you don’t like the festival’s high energy. Hospitality is quieter and you’re helping fellow volunteers, artists and staff at Red Willow Centre.”
The festival is running a youth ambassador orientation session on May 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. General volunteers have the option to attend a one-hour session on May 20 or 21 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Bell closes by saying, “I’m passionate about volunteering. Not only are the positions impactful for the community, but you will grow in self-esteem and confidence. Volunteering is good for mental health, and you’ll walk away smiling.”
Visit stalbert.ca/exp/childfest/childfest.com to fill out an online application form.
