Children & Youth

There is a quiet calling that begins not in an office, but beneath the whispering canopy of leaves, where the workday unfolds in step with the rhythms of the land. The Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas are inviting a guide—someone who understands that a forest is not merely a place, but a living community—to help others encounter its stories along woodland trails and within the still, reflective waters of the West Swale wetlands.Here, your “workspace” is a mosaic of trembling aspen, native prairie grasses, and wetland edges alive with movement. With each group of students, the forest reveals itself differently. You might pause beside a delicate spider web strung between branches, trace the small crescents of Dnibbles left by unseen insects, or kneel to observe the quiet industry at the entrance of an ant colony. Overhead, the forest speaks in other ways—through the hollowed craftsmanship of woodpeckers, the woven architecture of bird nests, or the scattered clues of fur and feather that hint at lives just out of sight. In these moments, students begin to see as naturalists do: noticing patterns of leaves, the geometry of stems, the textures, scents, and subtle variations that distinguish one species from anothershort distance away, the wetlands offer a different kind of classroom—one that shimmers and shifts with life at every scale. Through pond dipping and guided exploration, students encounter a world often overlooked: the gentle coil of a marsh ramshorn snail, the intricate case of a caddisfly larva, the flicker of damselflies, or the sudden appearance of a garter snake moving between water and grass. Here, learning becomes an act of discovery. Students ask questions, gather observations, and begin to understand how water, soil, plants, and animals are bound together in delicate balance.Your day begins with the arrival of a bus filled with anticipation. You welcome young learners not just onto a trail, but into a relationship—with place, with curiosity, and with the living systems that sustain us. Another group follows in the afternoon, each bringing new questions, new energy, and new opportunities for wonder.And then there are the small, enduring moments: the hush that falls when a chickadee lands close enough to be gently fed, the sudden recognition in a student’s eyes when something unfamiliar becomes known. These are the moments that day’s end, you leave with the understanding that something meaningful has taken root—that through simple acts of attention and care, you have helped cultivate not only knowledge, but a sense of belonging within the natural world.EThis role is for someone who feels at ease among trees and trails, who carries both curiosity and patience, and who finds joy in guiding others toward discovery. Because in the end, the forest teaches us that to know a place deeply is to care for it—and to share that knowing is to shape the stewards of tomorrowHonorarium for the right candidate. Four days available May 19, 20, 21, 22 let us know if you are available for one or all of them

Are you looking for a way to give back, build new skills, and make a real impact in your community? Foundations Learning invites youth like you to get involved in meaningful volunteer opportunities that support children, families, and financial literacy across Saskatchewan.As a youth volunteer, you’ll gain hands-on experience, develop communication and leadership skills, and be part of a team that believes learning changes lives. Whether you’re helping at a Family Literacy Night, supporting children’s learning activities, or promoting financial wellness, your time and energy will make a lasting difference.Volunteering with us can also count toward Volunteerism 30—a great way to earn school credit while making a positive impact. We’ll support you every step of the way with training, mentorship, and opportunities to find the volunteer role that fits you best.Foundations Learning has youth volunteer opportunities in our Children, Family, and Financial Literacy program areas. We recommend that youth volunteers take training in each of the program areas to find the volunteer opportunity within these that suits you and your community best. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout Saskatchewan.You will also have access to additional professional and personal development opportunities. These opportunities will be counted towards your total volunteer hours, and costs, including provincial travel and accommodation, will be covered by Foundations Learning.

Volunteers work with adult learners one-on-one and in small groups to enhance literacy skills. All training is provided to volunteers, as well as ongoing support from our Adult Literacy Coordinator throughout the program. Work with adult participants to identify current skills, and work together to enhance those skills by supporting them with tools, resources, and encouragement. Coaches meet one-on-one with their learner either in-person at a public library or over Zoom. The weekly schedule is determined by what is convenient for the learner and coach - we find a time that fits your schedule!Coaches are provided with comprehensive literacy training and are given templates and materials that you can use when planning sessions with their learners. Once your training is complete, you will be matched with a learner according to their needs and your areas of expertise and availability. We then introduce you to your learner and start you off with a detailed Learning Plan that has been prepared for the learner and provide you with some suggestions and resources to get started. You will then plan weekly sessions based on the Learning Plan, strategies shared in training, and materials relevant to the learners’ interests and skill levels. Foundations’ staff is also here to support you in all aspects of your coaching role.Our adult learners are as diverse as their individual goals, so it’s difficult to describe a ‘typical learner’. Our program is learner-centred and strength-based, so there is no set curriculum - what you work on is based on your learner’s goals. Learners join our program for a variety of reasons such as improving their literacy skills in reading and writing, passing the written portion of a Driver’s exam, or earning their GED. We always welcome feedback or questions from our volunteers and learners. Foundations’ Coordinator will be in regular contact with you to offer support and suggestions and gather feedback. We are learning and growing together!If you are interested in learning more, please attend our agency orientation which is the first step to becoming a Lead coach by registering here: https://foundationslearning.com/for-volunteers/

Want to make a difference in helping children build their reading skills? Become a Spark volunteer!As a Foundations Learning volunteer, you provide one-to-one support to strengthen children’s reading strategies through our reading program called Spark. Spark Reading Guides attend a 3.5-hour training on reading methods and strategies, and will be provided with all resources needed throughout the program. Volunteers are matched with 2 elementary school students and work one-on-one with each student for 30 minutes, twice per week (Monday-Friday), over 8 weeks. Spark runs four terms a year: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Reading sessions take place at schools (with limited online options).If you are interested in learning more, please attend our agency orientation, which is the first step to becoming a Spark volunteer, by registering here: https://foundationslearning.com/volunteer/