Opportunities From: iVolunteer Powered by United Way British Columbia

Volunteer: Summer Camp Assistant - VanDusen Botanical Garden (VBGA)

Summer Camp volunteers assist Camp Leaders and Junior Counselors to prepare and conduct outdoor, hands-on, nature-based games, crafts, experiments, and activities at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Camp programs are designed to foster inquiry, discovery, understanding, and appreciation for nature, and the importance of plants in our lives. 


Responsibilities: 

Assist Camp Leaders and Junior Counselors to conduct nature-based activities for groups of up to 24 children aged 5-10 

Assist Camp Leaders and Junior Counselors in providing a fun, welcoming, safe, and secure environment for all campers 

Assist Camp Leaders and Junior Counselors in preparation and clean-up of daily supplies and activities 

Assist Camp Leaders and Junior Counselors with After Care as needed or scheduled 


Skills, Attitudes, Knowledge Required: 

A love of nature and respect for the environment 

Comfortable working with groups of children 

Patient, positive, flexible, and fun-loving 

Comfortable standing, walking, and kneeling throughout the shift 

Eager to spend time outdoors in any weather and willingness to dress appropriately  

Must pass a criminal record background check (free for volunteers). Instructions will be provided after signing up 

Volunteers must be at least 15 years old 


The VBGA is committed to equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities. 


Volunteer Benefits:   

An opportunity to inspire and educate children 

Enhance leadership, group management, and interpretive skills   

Opportunity to work with educational professionals in a well-respected non-profit  

Contribute your time and talents in an impactful way for a worthwhile cause  

Learn about nature including ecology, botany, sustainability, gardening, and more 


Time Commitment: 

Summer Camp operates for 8 weeks from June 29th to August 21st, 2026. Weekly camp themes and group ages vary. Volunteers can choose from the following (at minimum): 

Volunteer EVERY morning from 8:30am-12:30pm for at least one week or 

Volunteer EVERY afternoon from 1:00-5:00pm for at least one week 


*Please note that there won't be a shift on Wednesday, July 1st or Monday, August 3rd due to STAT holidays and camp opening/closing. 


Training and Orientation:  

Online Orientation to VBGA, Intro to Indigenous Knowledge and Practices, Intro to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility, Heat Stress and Cold Stress modules  

Role-specific onsite mandatory training session during the week of June 21st-26th at VanDusen Garden (date/time TBD; most likely Tuesday June 24 or Wednesday June 25 from approximately 4-6pm).  


Supervisory Relationships/liaison:  

Candidates will be supervised by, and liaise with, the Junior Counselors, Camp Leaders, Youth Programs Coordinator, and Youth Programs Manager (primary contact). 


Authority/Decision Making:  

Guidance and problem-solving involving children requires direct supervision from Camp Leaders. Volunteers are not expected or encouraged to manage first-aid or behaviour-related incidents but may be asked by Staff to support if/when appropriate.  


How to apply by May 19 deadline: 

Fill out a Volunteer Application Form (if you are a new volunteer) or Login to your Better Impact account. (MyImpactpage.com) 

Once logged in, select the “Opportunities” tab and then “Opportunities List” 

Scroll down to "Youth & Camp Programming" and select the activity you are interested in 

Click on the “Sign Up” button on that page 

We will be in touch with next steps shortly 

Partner: Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association

Summer Camp volunteers assist Camp Leaders and Junior Counselors to prepare and conduct outdoor, hands-on, nature-based games, crafts, experiments, and activities at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Camp programs are designed to foster inquiry, discovery, understanding, and appreciation for nature, and the importance of plants in our lives. 


Responsibilities: 

Assist Camp Leaders and Junior Counselors to conduct nature-based activities for groups of up to 24 children aged 5-10 

Assist Camp Leaders and Junior Counselors in providing a fun, welcoming, safe, and secure environment for all campers 

Assist Camp Leaders and Junior Counselors in preparation and clean-up of daily supplies and activities 

Assist Camp Leaders and Junior Counselors with After Care as needed or scheduled 


Skills, Attitudes, Knowledge Required: 

A love of nature and respect for the environment 

Comfortable working with groups of children 

Patient, positive, flexible, and fun-loving 

Comfortable standing, walking, and kneeling throughout the shift 

Eager to spend time outdoors in any weather and willingness to dress appropriately  

Must pass a criminal record background check (free for volunteers). Instructions will be provided after signing up 

Volunteers must be at least 15 years old 


The VBGA is committed to equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities. 


Volunteer Benefits:   

An opportunity to inspire and educate children 

Enhance leadership, group management, and interpretive skills   

Opportunity to work with educational professionals in a well-respected non-profit  

Contribute your time and talents in an impactful way for a worthwhile cause  

Learn about nature including ecology, botany, sustainability, gardening, and more 


Time Commitment: 

Summer Camp operates for 8 weeks from June 29th to August 21st, 2026. Weekly camp themes and group ages vary. Volunteers can choose from the following (at minimum): 

Volunteer EVERY morning from 8:30am-12:30pm for at least one week or 

Volunteer EVERY afternoon from 1:00-5:00pm for at least one week 


*Please note that there won't be a shift on Wednesday, July 1st or Monday, August 3rd due to STAT holidays and camp opening/closing. 


Training and Orientation:  

Online Orientation to VBGA, Intro to Indigenous Knowledge and Practices, Intro to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility, Heat Stress and Cold Stress modules  

Role-specific onsite mandatory training session during the week of June 21st-26th at VanDusen Garden (date/time TBD; most likely Tuesday June 24 or Wednesday June 25 from approximately 4-6pm).  


Supervisory Relationships/liaison:  

Candidates will be supervised by, and liaise with, the Junior Counselors, Camp Leaders, Youth Programs Coordinator, and Youth Programs Manager (primary contact). 


Authority/Decision Making:  

Guidance and problem-solving involving children requires direct supervision from Camp Leaders. Volunteers are not expected or encouraged to manage first-aid or behaviour-related incidents but may be asked by Staff to support if/when appropriate.  


How to apply by May 19 deadline: 

Fill out a Volunteer Application Form (if you are a new volunteer) or Login to your Better Impact account. (MyImpactpage.com) 

Once logged in, select the “Opportunities” tab and then “Opportunities List” 

Scroll down to "Youth & Camp Programming" and select the activity you are interested in 

Click on the “Sign Up” button on that page 

We will be in touch with next steps shortly 

Partner: Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Jun 29, 2026 through Aug 21, 2026

Postal Code: V6M4H1

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association Board of Directors Recruitment

Organization Overview:
The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA), in partnership with the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation (Park Board), jointly operates VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory—two of Vancouver’s most treasured natural spaces. The VBGA is a registered charitable organization that delivers educational programs, volunteer opportunities, membership services, and fundraising initiatives to support these iconic Gardens.

Together, VanDusen’s 55-acre living collection and Bloedel’s lush tropical biodome serve as Vancouver’s “green heart”—places where visitors can explore global biodiversity, connect with nature, and find calm in the beauty of the plant world. Through our programs and partnerships, the VBGA works to inspire generations to conserve, protect, and enhance the natural world. The VBGA serves a community of approximately 16,000 members and 400 volunteers and employs 28 full-time and part-time staff. Our annual operating budget is
roughly $2.7 million.

To learn more about our work, please visit our website: https://vandusengarden.org/

Position Overview:
The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) is seeking interested people to volunteer to join our Board of Directors starting in May 2026. We invite all interested people who have a passion for botanical gardens to apply. The Board is particularly looking for one or two persons with professional expertise in Indigenous Relations, experience on Not-For-Profit Boards, and Community Engagement.

Responsibilities:

Demonstrate ongoing commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the VBGA.
Maintain an active VBGA membership throughout one’s Board term.
Bring knowledge and expertise in one or more key areas of Board governance, such as policy, finance, legal, education, marketing, fundraising, human resources, or advocacy.
Serve on at least one Board Committee and contribute actively to its work.
Act as an ambassador for VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory by supporting VBGA programs, special events, and fundraising initiatives.
Make an annual financial contribution to the VBGA at a personally meaningful level.
Help foster positive, collaborative relationships among Board members, Committees, staff, volunteers, and community partners to advance the VBGA’s mission.
Participate in Board and Volunteer orientation programs.
Attend and engage in monthly Board meetings and assigned Committee meetings, as well as the Board Retreat and Annual General Meeting.

Further details of qualification requirements, expectations of Board Members, authority, responsibility, and terms of office, are outlined in the Nomination and Consent Form: https://vandusengarden.org/vbga-board-nominations/

Time Commitment:
Board members volunteer an average of 5 -10 hours per month.

Term of Office:
Directors may serve up to three consecutive three-year terms, beginning after the Annual General Meeting at which they were first elected. A Director may resign at any time by submitting written notice to the President of the VBGA Board.

Please complete the VBGA Board of Directors Nomination & Consent Form (https://vandusengarden.org/vbga-board-nominations/) and submit it to the attention of the Nominations Committee to apply.
Email: boardcommunication@vandusen.org

Applications must be received by March 13, 2026, when nominations close.
https://vandusengarden.org/vbga-board-nominations/

The Nominations Committee welcomes inquiries from anyone interested in learning more about the responsibilities of a Director or the nominations process before applying. Please send your contact information to Charlotte Williamson at boardcommunication@vandusen.org. A member of the Committee will follow up with you directly to answer your questions.

The VBGA is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities.

The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) acknowledges that VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory are located on the unceded Ancestral shared lands of the xʷməθkwəyəm (Musqueam), Sḵ wx̱ ̓ wú 7mesh Ú xwumixw (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (TsleilWaututh) Nations. We are honoured to be on the lands where these Nations have lived since time immemorial, and where they continue to steward these territories in respectful
relationship with the land, waters, and all living beings.

Partner: Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association

Organization Overview:
The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA), in partnership with the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation (Park Board), jointly operates VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory—two of Vancouver’s most treasured natural spaces. The VBGA is a registered charitable organization that delivers educational programs, volunteer opportunities, membership services, and fundraising initiatives to support these iconic Gardens.

Together, VanDusen’s 55-acre living collection and Bloedel’s lush tropical biodome serve as Vancouver’s “green heart”—places where visitors can explore global biodiversity, connect with nature, and find calm in the beauty of the plant world. Through our programs and partnerships, the VBGA works to inspire generations to conserve, protect, and enhance the natural world. The VBGA serves a community of approximately 16,000 members and 400 volunteers and employs 28 full-time and part-time staff. Our annual operating budget is
roughly $2.7 million.

To learn more about our work, please visit our website: https://vandusengarden.org/

Position Overview:
The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) is seeking interested people to volunteer to join our Board of Directors starting in May 2026. We invite all interested people who have a passion for botanical gardens to apply. The Board is particularly looking for one or two persons with professional expertise in Indigenous Relations, experience on Not-For-Profit Boards, and Community Engagement.

Responsibilities:

Demonstrate ongoing commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the VBGA.
Maintain an active VBGA membership throughout one’s Board term.
Bring knowledge and expertise in one or more key areas of Board governance, such as policy, finance, legal, education, marketing, fundraising, human resources, or advocacy.
Serve on at least one Board Committee and contribute actively to its work.
Act as an ambassador for VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory by supporting VBGA programs, special events, and fundraising initiatives.
Make an annual financial contribution to the VBGA at a personally meaningful level.
Help foster positive, collaborative relationships among Board members, Committees, staff, volunteers, and community partners to advance the VBGA’s mission.
Participate in Board and Volunteer orientation programs.
Attend and engage in monthly Board meetings and assigned Committee meetings, as well as the Board Retreat and Annual General Meeting.

Further details of qualification requirements, expectations of Board Members, authority, responsibility, and terms of office, are outlined in the Nomination and Consent Form: https://vandusengarden.org/vbga-board-nominations/

Time Commitment:
Board members volunteer an average of 5 -10 hours per month.

Term of Office:
Directors may serve up to three consecutive three-year terms, beginning after the Annual General Meeting at which they were first elected. A Director may resign at any time by submitting written notice to the President of the VBGA Board.

Please complete the VBGA Board of Directors Nomination & Consent Form (https://vandusengarden.org/vbga-board-nominations/) and submit it to the attention of the Nominations Committee to apply.
Email: boardcommunication@vandusen.org

Applications must be received by March 13, 2026, when nominations close.
https://vandusengarden.org/vbga-board-nominations/

The Nominations Committee welcomes inquiries from anyone interested in learning more about the responsibilities of a Director or the nominations process before applying. Please send your contact information to Charlotte Williamson at boardcommunication@vandusen.org. A member of the Committee will follow up with you directly to answer your questions.

The VBGA is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities.

The Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) acknowledges that VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory are located on the unceded Ancestral shared lands of the xʷməθkwəyəm (Musqueam), Sḵ wx̱ ̓ wú 7mesh Ú xwumixw (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (TsleilWaututh) Nations. We are honoured to be on the lands where these Nations have lived since time immemorial, and where they continue to steward these territories in respectful
relationship with the land, waters, and all living beings.

Partner: Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Postal Code: V6M 4H1

Allow Groups: No