How will the Summer Retreat Work Exchange program work?
Participants may apply to be part of KlezKanada’s Work Exchange Program (WEP) at the 2024 Summer Retreat. Work Exchange Participants help to keep the Summer Retreat running smoothly and receive a discount on their registration fee. Work Exchange Participants will be assigned consistent shifts throughout the week, allowing them to participate in workshops and other programs during the rest of their day. In addition to the discount, the WEP is a great way to get involved and help out behind the scenes!
- Participants who commit to a 2 hour per day shift will receive a 25% discount on their registration fee.
- Participants who commit to a 4 hour per day shift will receive a 50% discount on their registration fee.
- Participants who are assigned Team Leadership positions will receive a higher discount commensurate with the role.
How will the Summer Retreat Work Exchange program work?
- We will accept and assign roles to participants as applications are received.
- Participants are assigned a consistent role (or combination of roles) throughout the week so that they can plan around their shifts.
- We have a limited number of work exchange positions and we may not be able to offer roles to all who apply.
- We cannot guarantee your preferred work-exchange position. In addition, participants must be ready to commit to their assigned shifts. This may mean that you are not able to attend every workshop or program that you hope to.
- Work-Exchange participants need to be available for an online orientation and training session before the Retreat at one of these times
- Sunday, August 4, 2024 @ 2 - 3:30 PM EDT
- Sunday, August 4, 2024 @ 4 - 5:30 PM EDT
- Sunday, August 4, 2024 @ 7 - 8:30 PM EDT
- Sunday, August 11, 2024 @ 2 - 3:30 PM EDT
- Sunday, August 11, 2024 @ 4 - 5:30 PM EDT
- Sunday, August 11, 2024 @ 7 - 8:30 PM EDT
- Work-exchange discounts may not be combined with Premium Rooms or the scholarship program. Work Exchange Participants may apply for our bursary program.
- Only one discount (either Family Discount or Work Exchange Program discount) can be applied to any person. The higher discount will apply for any member of a family group who participates in the WEP (Standard Rooms only).
Work Exchange Roles
As a Work Exchange Participant with Camp Vildkraft, our children's program run by master educators Shari Davis and Benny Ferdman, you will help to supervise children, assist with art projects, and go on hikes – among other fun activities. We will need 2 WEPs per period (2 hour periods) committing to two periods (4 hours) per day. If you are interested in this position, please tell us about your experience or interest in working with children.
3-4 hour shifts.
As a childcare WEP, you will help out our faculty who have young children (5 and under), providing assistance during evenings. This will require WEP to be ready to organize play or activities with the children, or to keep watch while the child is sleeping. If you are interested in this position, please tell us about your experience or interest in working with children.
2 or 4 hour shifts.
As a bartender, you will help to run the cash bar at the concerts and cabaret. This may include keeping an inventory of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks (and requesting restocking as necessary), handling transactions, and keeping the bar running smoothly. While bartending experience isn’t required, it is recommended.
4 hour shifts.
As part of the Boutique Team you will help us run the merchandise sales at the Retreat. This may include managing checking-in and out of merchandise, handling transactions, overseeing the boutique helpers, and generally keeping the boutique running smoothly.
4 hour shifts.
As part of our Site Crew, you will be helping KlezKanada operations run smoothly and greatly impact the preparedness of programming.
2-4 hour shifts, depending on the day.
- Arriving early to KlezKanada to help us prepare the venue, putting up tents, chairs, and decor.
- Prepare spaces for workshops, concerts, and other events throughout the day and week
- Sweep shared spaces, re-arrange chairs.
- Make sure walking path lights are lit.
- Help us keep the site running smoothly.
- Driving into town to pick up materials (requires a vehicle and an up-to-date drivers license) If you are willing to use your own vehicle, your application will have priority.
May also include driving the accessibility shuttle between the two sides of camp (must be over 24 + with an up-to-date driver's license).
*We are also looking for a Team Lead for the Site Crew. The Site Crew Team Lead will organize and support the Site Crew. This position will require communication and collaboration with the Work Exchange Coordinator, Operations Manager, and Logistical Team. This position will qualify for a 60% discount on registration fees.
As part of our welcome team, you will help us set up on Wednesday. This will include tasks like making beds for faculty and putting up signs and decor around the camp. As everyone begins to arrive you will work at the registration tables, helping to check people in. During the week, you will work shifts at the information desk and the boutique.
2 hour shifts.
As a part of our Info Desk Team, you will be stationed at a central location at camp with available informational support for participants and faculty who need it. The Info Desk is the administrative and informational centre of the festival and you may find yourself helping with everything from questions about the schedule to distributing COVID-19 rapid tests. The info desk will be open at specific hours throughout the day.
2-4 hour shifts.
The Dining Hall Team helps us keep meals running smoothly! Depending on role, you will be responsible for the following:
- Preparing the dining hall for lunch or dinner
- Breaking down at the close of lunch and dinner
- Organizing dish collection stations
- Help educate and training the community about how meals are set up
- Wiping down surfaces
- Sweeping the hall
- Making sure signage is posted at appropriate stations
- Carrying dirty dishes and basins over to the dishwashers
2-4 hour shifts.
* We are also looking for a Work Exchange Participant to join as a team lead for the Dining Hall Team. The Dining Hall Manager will communicate and collaborate with the Kitchen Staff and will organize and support the Dining Hall Team WEP’s. This position will qualify for a higher discount on registration fees.
As part of the Kibbitz Crew, you will help to facilitate snack times! This includes setting up and clearing up afternoon and evening snacks, as well as dropping off snacks for the children’s program. This role requires communication and collaboration with the Kitchen Staff and Dining Hall Manager. This position is not fixed to one time every day, but will be floating throughout the day, so it is important for those on the Kibbitz Crew to be diligent about the schedule and tasks that are part of the role.
3-4 hour shifts.
- Schlepping snacks to stations for afternoon and evening activities
- Own the whole task
- Will keep track of the snack stations at both sides of camp.
- Clean up
- Maintaining tea and Coffee at the info station
As part of our Cabaret Tech Crew, you will help to make sure that the late night Cabaret is set up and runs smoothly. You will work with the Logistics Team and the Cabaret Host to help run sound for the Cabaret.
4 hour shifts between 10 PM - 2 AM.