Youth Leadership Program

If you or someone you know enjoys arts and crafts, the outdoors, and working with kids, you will want to be part of the dynamic Summer Discovery Youth Leadership team at the Peterborough Museum and Archives.

Registration for the Youth Leadership Program opens Monday, March 4th at 9:30 a.m. 

What is the Youth Leadership program?

The Youth Leadership Program is for youth aged 14 years and older, and includes three days of training seminars, followed by a one- or two-week placement within our award-winning Summer Discovery Camps. Our training seminars will run during the first week in July and will prepare you for volunteering with children between the ages of 4 and 11. Topics in training include leadership, team building, and child development. Placements will take place in either the Junior Discovery Camp (children ages 4 to 6), or Summer Discovery Camp (children ages 7 to 11) and this time can count towards a student's community volunteer hours. 

Training days

We will be holding mandatory orientation and training for our youth leaders on June 30, July 2 and July 3, 2025. 

Cost of program

There is a $150 fee for this program. This fee includes three days of skill building workshops and on-site training, as well as mentorship during their camp placement, pizza lunch and t-shirt.  

Program requirements

To register, you must be 14 years of age, or entering high school as of September 2025.

If you are 18 or older, you will be required to complete a police record check with vulnerable sector. If you are under the age of 18, you will be required to sign an offence declaration. All information regarding the police check process will be provided prior to the program start date. 

Personal Health & Information Form

All participants are required to have a completed participant information form, prior to the program start date. Access to the program will be denied otherwise, as registration is not complete without one for each child attending.

How to register

You can register for our program three different ways:

• In person at the Peterborough Museum and Archives
• By telephone (Visa, MasterCard, American Express): 705-743-5180

• Online: with our XplorRecreation program registration system, you can now create your own account and register for programs from the comfort of home. To navigate the system quickly, be sure to search using the course code provided above.

Have you already completed the Youth Leadership Program and want to volunteer again? Please email our Education and Program Officer at FStanley@peterborough.ca to express your interest! Once you have completed the Youth Leadership Program, you do not need to undergo the training again to return. 

What to bring

All youth leaders should come to their training days and placements prepared with the following:

• Backpack that holds all items comfortably;
• Refillable water bottle;
• Nut-free snacks for morning and afternoon;
• Nut-free lunch;
• Personal sunscreen;
• Athletic footwear and comfortable clothing.

Personal electronic items such as a cell phone are only permitted during program breaks.  

This program is nut- and scent-sensitive.

Health or Behavioural Concerns

We want Youth Leaders to have the best experience possible in our Youth Leadership Program. If you have any health or behavioural concerns regarding your youth's participation, please contact us in advance to create a plan to ensure a positive experience.

It is the priority of the PMA to create an environment where all participants have fun, feel safe and enjoy being in our programs. In order to ensure this happens, PMA personnel embrace the following guidelines:

• All bodies must be safe.
• All feelings must be safe.
• All environments and equipment must be safe.

Behaviors which are not acceptable and may result in immediate action, such as removal from the Youth Leadership Program, include:  

• Endangering the health and safety of any person.
• Using vulgarity, profanity, or obscenity.
• Leaving the program without permission.
• Failing to follow any direction from PMA personnel.
• Stealing and/or damaging property.

Behaviour expectations are clearly shared with Youth Leaders during orientation and families may be contacted for support with behaviour needs where applicable. 

Health and safety

To ensure the safety and health of our participants and staff:

• Program staff have completed First Aid and CPR 'C' training prior to program start.
• Scheduled hand washing, washroom access, and hand sanitizer will be available throughout the day. 

If the Youth Leader is unwell or will be absent during orientation or a day of placement, we ask families to contact the Museum to advise. If a call has not been received and the Youth Leader has not arrived, camp personnel will contact families to check in.

The Museum has a protocol for anaphylactic shock and a parental clearance form is required if your child has suffered a suspected concussion. Please see the "Participant Information Form" below for inclusion of these concerns. 

Photos

In the course of all program activities, we may take photos and audio and/or visual recordings. We reserve the right to use all photographs and videos of our programs, participants, special events and facilities for promotional purposes.

Refunds

• Refund requests are accepted 5 business days ( Monday to Friday) prior to camp start dates and are charged an administration levy of 10% of program fee or $5 minimum.
• Refunds are not provided within 5 business days of the program unless accompanied by a medical note approved by the program supervisor or Manager designate. 
• Front line teams will refer the request to the program supervisor for approval and will take no action within the event roster or client account. 
• Pending availability, transfer requests will be accepted and approved.