Volunteer opportunities

Volunteers make a difference every day in Guelph. It’s what makes us a caring community. When you invest your time, skills and enthusiasm in volunteering, you help make our city a vibrant and rewarding place to live, work and play. The City of Guelph offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for students 14+, adults and seniors.

Current Openings

Summer Day Camp Volunteer positions!
Now accepting volunteer applications for Full Day and Swim volunteers.

Full Day volunteers – Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30 – Limited space available
Swim volunteers – Monday to Friday 12:30-4:30 – WECC & VRRC

Apply online by submitting a completed volunteer application.
Returning Volunteers, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] or 519-822-1260 X 2096

Learn to Swim Summer Program

West End Community Centre: Monday to Friday 9-11:30 a.m. & week nights 5-7:30 p.m.

Victoria Road Recreation Centre: Monday to Friday 9-11:30 a.m. & week nights 5-7:30 p.m.

Lyons Pool: Tuesday’s and Thursday’s 5-7 p.m.

Why volunteer?

  • Increase self-confidence
  • Meet people with similar interests and become a valuable member of a team
  • Gain experience and develop new skills
  • Explore career choices and enhance your resume
  • Contribute to your community

Why it matters

  • It’s vital for strong, inclusive, and resilient communities
  • It assists organizations in reaching their goals
  • It helps builds relationships
  • It’s fundamental to a healthy and democratic society in Canada

Whether you’re looking for a short term project or a long term commitment, there are many ways you can get involved.

How to Volunteer in Recreation

  • Meet the minimum age requirement of 14 years
  • Decide which program area interests you the most (children, youth, adults or seniors)
  • Complete and submit an online application form: Volunteer Application Form (paper forms are available upon request at all community centre’s)
  • You will be contacted regarding the area of interest you selected
  • Complete an in-person or virtual interview
  • Complete the necessary online training that will be sent following the interview (other methods of training available) and the in person orientation
  • Review dates and times for your scheduled volunteer position

Volunteer Tools

Record Hours

Volunteer Application Form

Opportunities with the City of Guelph

The City of Guelph offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities in programs, special events or parks programs. Whether you would like to utilize your special skills, explore career choices, meet new people or become a valuable member of a volunteer team, we offer volunteer opportunities in a variety of areas throughout the year. Minimum 14 years of age to volunteer. For more information email [email protected].

Recreation programs

Active Start and FUNdamentals Program Volunteers

Are you interested in supporting children ages 4-12 with disabilities? We’re looking for volunteers to assist with the Active Start and FUNdamentals. These are physical literacy programs that teach basic sport and movement skills such as running, jumping, catching, throwing through active games and activities. Volunteers will be paired with participants to support their participation.

Learn to Swim

Volunteering with the Learn to Swim program increases your leadership and swimming skills in a structured setting to further developing experience. If you are friendly, enthusiastic and enjoy being in and around the pool while interacting and encouraging children to participate, this is for you! Volunteers must be 14 years of age or have completed a leadership program.

NEW! Leadership Aquatic Program (LAP)

The perfect program for high school students who want to earn school credits and achieve aquatic certifications, all while saving money! The Upper Grand District School Board, the City of Guelph and the SHSM program are teaming up to offer the Leadership Aquatic Program at night school. This program will be open to all secondary school aged students. Through the program, students are provided with the opportunity to receive their Standard First Aid, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard and Swim Instructor certifications. Once students become certified, they can use these skills & take advantage of aquatic job opportunities!

Please complete the LAP application form only if you are currently enrolled in the registered course.

Camps

Volunteering with camps is an excellent way to do something great for the community while having fun and obtaining your required community service hours for High School! Volunteers must attend a mandatory orientation and training. Must be 14 years or older to apply.

New!

2 Full day volunteers per camp location per week.

6 Swim Volunteers per day/week depending on camp location

Swim Volunteers

Swim Camp volunteers are committed to dedicating their time, friendliness, enthusiasm and support to the Swim Camp program. Through actively participating in an integrated, challenging and accepting environment, both the Swim Camp volunteers and campers are offered the opportunity to have fun in the water, take part in water games/activities, and develop their swimming skills.

Youth leadership

Youth volunteers help make a difference in the community. Volunteer positions include Guelph Youth Council and City programs and services. Students can earn credit towards their community involvement hours.

Evergreen Seniors Community Centre

The City of Guelph and the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association (GWSA) offer many volunteer opportunities, food services, activity group leaders, special events, committees and GWSA Board of Directors.

Evergreen Seniors Centre Volunteer Application Form (volgistics.com)

If you are interested in volunteering with the GWSA, and would like to speak with someone about this, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 519-823-1291 extension 2096 or by email [email protected]

Evergreen Bistro 683

Join the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre Bistro 683 team Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. assisting one of the following areas providing customer service, making new friends and having fun.

Coffee Volunteer

Volunteer at the hot beverages counter in the dining room throughout the week in the morning or afternoon. This role involves serving hot beverages, cleaning tables and assisting patrons when needed.

Cash Volunteer

Volunteer in the dining room on the cash register throughout the week in the morning or afternoon taking payment from patrons who enjoy lunch, snacks or treats.

Food Preparation and Serving

Volunteer in the kitchen assisting the chef with food preparation and serving customer ordering food and eating in or taking on the go.

Dishwasher

Volunteer in the kitchen assisting with washing dishes using the industrial dishwasher and completing other tasks during the shift.

Other volunteer opportunities

Boards and committees

The City of Guelph relies on about 200 citizens each year to serve on its boards, commissions and committee. Selections are made each June and November.

Apply online

Guelph Civic Museum and McCrae House

Learn about Guelph’s history and share your knowledge with visitors to the Guelph Civic Museum and McCrae House. Volunteer positions include: assisting with programming activities, visitor services, curatorial work, and historic gardening.

Guelph Farmer’s Market

Students in high school, adults and seniors are invited to volunteer year round as a Market Ambassador at the Guelph Farmers’ Market. Join the market family and help build a more sustainable food system. Responsibilities include assisting vendors and customers and special events. For more information refer to the volunteer information tab on About Guelph Farmers’ Market.

Guelph Public Library

The Guelph Public Library welcomes volunteers to provide more library services to the community. Volunteer opportunities at Guelph Public Library.

River Run Centre

Volunteering at River Run Centre is an exciting way to meet new people and make a significant contribution to our community. Volunteer positions include ushering, ticket collecting, coat check, bar service and more.

Travel Training Program volunteers

Volunteers of the Travel Training Program will be paired with an adult living with a disability in the community. After receiving appropriate training, volunteers will ride a specific, pre-designated transit route with the program participant on a designated day of the week. Throughout this session, volunteers are facilitating and supporting the growth of confidence and independence while practicing safe travel strategies to foster a positive learning environment for both the participant and the volunteer.

For more information:

Opportunities in the community

Guelph Humane Society

The Guelph Humane Society is looking for regular shelter volunteers who can commit to at least once weekly to walk, bath, groom, clean and care for strong, exuberant dogs; socialize with their cats or rabbits and play with the kittens. They also need special event volunteers to help with fundraising, participate in tag days and deliver newsletters. For more information visit their volunteer opportunities page.

Neighbourhood Groups

The City of Guelph encourages and supports the participation of community members in the work of our neighbourhood groups. As a partner organization in the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition, the City plays an active role in their work; however, community volunteers play the main role in supporting the work of neighbourhood groups. Contact: [email protected] or visit guelphneighbourhoods.org.

Outdoor ice rinks

Contact City of Guelph Operations at 519-837-5628.

Red Cross

Through the work of dedicated volunteers, the Guelph-Wellington branch of the Canadian Red Cross provides a wide range of services for vulnerable people including Meals on Wheels, disaster response, abuse prevention education, healthcare equipment rentals and safety services. For people interested in more information on volunteering with the local branch of the Canadian Red Cross, please contact the Volunteer Resources Coordinator at 519-836-3523.