BEAR's Peer Mentor Development Program is aimed at Bitterroot Valley high school students, aged 14 to 18 (grades 9-11), who are interested in providing mentorship to middle school aged youth. In this program mentors will learn about outdoor and experiential education, share their knowledge with mentees, and foster a supportive environment for the mentor team. Mentors will receive lots of training throughout the year, help mentees with their service learning project, attend after school activities, weekend and overnight trips, and attend a special peer mentor summer camp!
Click here to download the Peer Mentor Application & Opportunities List.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Teens, 15-17 years of age (exiting grades 9-11), who are willing to:
QUALIFICATIONS:
BENEFITS:
HOW IT WORKS:
Peer mentors will fill out an application and return it to the BEAR office. If qualified, they will be called for an interview and references will be checked.
We will be accepting up to 10 peer mentors to assist 3 program teams that each have unique scheduling needs. Please, read below to determine which team may be the best fit for you. Be sure to include your preferred team on your application.
MANDATORY TRAINING:
All peer mentors will attend an overnight training camp June 20-22, 2022, prior to the start of regular summer programming. They will learn the nuts and bolts of how to assist BEAR staff in leading summer activities and mentor middle school “mentees,” as well as try out some of the summer activities being offered, such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, and ropes course. Peer mentors on the Ropes Course Team will have additional training to attend on June 15, 2022, specifically for ropes course facilitation. After training, each peer mentor will select the trips and camps they will attend to complete their 50 hours of direct service.
Peer mentors will become an important person in the lives of BEAR mentees who will look up to you for guidance and support. It is important that applicants are prepared to commit to the program and see it through to the end of summer.
TO APPLY:
Please complete the following application and email to:
Mallory Ijames, Program Leader at mallory.ijames@bearmt.org
Questions? Call Mallory at 406-209-9901
HIRING PROCESS:
Click here to download the Peer Mentor Application & Opportunities List.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Teens, 15-17 years of age (exiting grades 9-11), who are willing to:
- Be a mentor for youth 11-14 years of age (exiting grades 6-8)
- Learn about outdoor and experiential education & connect with mentees
- Foster a supportive environment that promotes trust and personal growth
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 14-17 years of age
- Must love the outdoors
- Must have an interest in learning about mentoring, outdoor education, and experiential learning. Previous experience is preferred but not necessary!
- Experience with youth is not necessary but preferred
- Leadership experience is preferred but not necessary
- Creative and playful spirit
- Flexibility and willingness to try new things
- Lifeguard qualifications are not necessary, but very helpful
- Ability and willingness to make a firm commitment to full participation in all training, and scheduled activities
- Open and honest communication
BENEFITS:
- Stipend of $500 after completion of all training and minimum 50 hours of service.
- Training in mentoring best practices, leadership, experiential education, outdoor education, and more. Plus, fun summer activities outdoors!
- Job and college references or letters of recommendation are available after successful completion of the program.
HOW IT WORKS:
Peer mentors will fill out an application and return it to the BEAR office. If qualified, they will be called for an interview and references will be checked.
We will be accepting up to 10 peer mentors to assist 3 program teams that each have unique scheduling needs. Please, read below to determine which team may be the best fit for you. Be sure to include your preferred team on your application.
- Day trips - 12 day trips are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer, starting June 28th and ending August 18th. Hours are typically 8:30am-4:30pm, to include setup and clean up, but could vary depending on the activity and trip location. We will select 3 peer mentors for the day trip team, with 2 assisting on each trip, meaning each peer mentor will attend 8 out of 12 trips.
- Overnight camps - 2 overnight camps are scheduled, including backpacking camp July 12-15 (pre-trip meeting on July 11) and campground camping at Seeley Lake Aug 1-4. We will select 4 peer mentors for the overnight camps team, with 2 assisting at each camp, meaning each peer mentor will attend one camp only.
- Ropes challenge course - Reservations for the ropes course are available Wed - Sat throughout the summer, so scheduling will depend on if/when groups make reservations. Peer mentors can expect to spend 5hrs setting up, assisting, and taking down a ropes course session. We will hire 3 peer mentors for the ropes course team, with 1 assisting at a time, meaning each peer mentor will need to attend at least 10 sessions.
MANDATORY TRAINING:
All peer mentors will attend an overnight training camp June 20-22, 2022, prior to the start of regular summer programming. They will learn the nuts and bolts of how to assist BEAR staff in leading summer activities and mentor middle school “mentees,” as well as try out some of the summer activities being offered, such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, and ropes course. Peer mentors on the Ropes Course Team will have additional training to attend on June 15, 2022, specifically for ropes course facilitation. After training, each peer mentor will select the trips and camps they will attend to complete their 50 hours of direct service.
Peer mentors will become an important person in the lives of BEAR mentees who will look up to you for guidance and support. It is important that applicants are prepared to commit to the program and see it through to the end of summer.
TO APPLY:
Please complete the following application and email to:
Mallory Ijames, Program Leader at mallory.ijames@bearmt.org
Questions? Call Mallory at 406-209-9901
HIRING PROCESS:
- Applications must be completely filled out and submitted by May 27th
- Be thoughtful in your responses and write clearly.
- Interviews will be held with qualified applicants and references will be called.
- Commitment to mandatory training dates is required for acceptance into the program, even for those who have previously been peer mentors.