ΚΑΝΑΔΑΣ

Chantiers jeunesse

About Chantiers jeunesse
Chantiers jeunesse is a non-profit and non-governmental organization aiming to the development of active and engaged young citizen, support local development and support the development of the entire potential of the persons. We offer learning and training opportunities in collaboration with partners from here and abroad, based on solidarity and respect of differences.
In addition to fulfilling these above?mention goals, the objectives of the international exchanges program are to incite social involvement and encourage intercultural communication and understanding between people from different countries and cultures.

Age limit: Our projects are open to volunteers between 18 to 30 years old.

Camp languages: The camp languages on international workcamps are both English and French (mostly English).

Temporary work permit and visa
All the volunteers MUST get a temporary work permit and, if required, a visa.
The volunteer must, before leaving, make a request for an Employment Authorisation to the Immigration Services of a Canadian Consulate (and provide many documents varying according to the Consulate: form IMM 1295, invitation letter from Chantiers jeunesse, copy of the passport, photos, proof of sufficient funds - copy of the bank account statement). Before leaving, he/she must receive a letter delivered by Immigration Services of a Canadian Consulate. He/She must present this letter at the Canadian border to obtain a temporary work permit. Canadian authorities require this permit even if the work is on voluntary basis. This permit is free and usually easy to get, but the process takes around 3-4 weeks. For such a permit to be issued, the volunteer has to come to Canada in the framework of an exchange between two organizations, documented by an exchange agreement. For this reason, it is impossible to receive volunteers on an individual basis.

CJ-03 Sainte-Thirese 03-07/24-07 ENVI
Local Organization: City of Sainte-Thirese
Nine years ago, the municipality and groups of Chantiers jeunesse began the transformation of an abandoned site into a new green space right in the centre of town, located some 30 km north of Montreal. The site, known as the "Pit a Charron" (the Cartwright Pit) is a former quarry and garbage dump! The groups toiled away to clean cleaning the site and begin a landscaping job. We are, as a result, a long way from the first two phases when 800 tires were found and the first paths and trails were built! This site is now a nature park well known by the whole community. Participants have helped with the installation of windmills used to filter the water of the ponds. One of these ponds has, by the way, been named after Chantiers jeunesse to honour the groups! Welcome to the "Jardin des Sources" (Springs Garden)!
Work: The municipality has agreed on a development plan that will make the site more accessible to citizens and that will bring to value the natural and ecological features of the site. Here is the challenge for this birds paradise!
- To widen and lay out pedestrian paths. south of Lake No 2;
- To build a low wall following the north path of the Chantiers jeunesse Lake
- To plant trees and shrubs in various areas in the park and near the stairs leading to the Chantiers jeunesse Lake to prevent erosion;
- To clean the banks of the stream leading to Lake No 4;
- To take part in the organisation of an "Open house" activity aimed at making the public aware of the importance of such a natural space.
Accommodation: In the student residences of the College of Sainte-Thirese.
Location: Sainte-Thirese is located 30 km north of Montreal.
Terminal: Montreal Airport (Mirabel or Dorval)

CJ-04 Saint-Marc-du-lac-long 03-07/24-07 RENO
Local Organization: Saint-Marc-du-Lac-Long Municipality
The citizen of the small municipality of Saint-Marc-du-Lac-Long, located on each side of a magnificent lake dotted with islands on a stretch 23 kilometres long, in the beautiful region of Bas-Saint-Laurent, m9bilised to create a recreative, touristic and cultural centre in the heart of the village. At the moment, no public access is available for swimmers from the locality or visitors. Many laying out tasks are waiting to be done to create a friendly natural space near the lake. Hands will also be needed to give back to the church and cemetery their past splendour. This project will allow you to work with local volunteers and to integrate yourself into a welcoming community that has a lot to make you discover about local culture!
Work:
- Lay out a slate pedestrian path (from the important slate quarry of the locality) and plant shrubs;
- Build quays, picnic tables, benches and garbage cans, and also signalisation panels.
- Restore the statues and the pilasters of the railings around the cemetery (mortar, painting) and the surroundings of the cemetery lane;
- Restore the lateral pilasters of the church and its square.
Accommodation: In an old presbytery near the church, in the heart of the village.
Location: Saint-Marc-du-Lac-Long is located 60 km South-East of Riviere-du-Loup and 500 km East of Montreal.
Terminal: Montreal Airport (Mirabel or Dorval).

CJ-07 Saint-Come 24-07/14-08 ENVI/FEST
Local Organization: Saint-Come Parish
Welcome in the beautiful region of Lanaudiere! In the heart of this region, a sympathetic municipality of 2500 inhabitants, Saint-Come, is a real outdoor and nature haven Moreover, you find yourself in the cradle of traditional and folkloric music and its rebirth, where every family has its own musician! The people from this municipality are very active and the founded an ice sculpture festival during the winter. Last year, they created another festival, in summer this time, to bring out… music! This summer, the community of Saint-Come wants to welcome a dynamic group of volunteers to realise a makeover of the river going across the village, layout a pedestrian path and give a hand to the festival second edition!
Work:
- Lay out the banks of the river in the heart of the village, making it accessible;
- Build a rest area along the river (building of picnic tables, ramps);
- Give a hand to the realization of the popular festival «Ma riviere en chanson» (My Singing River!) taking place from August 5th to 8th (preparation, setting and taking down the stages, etc.);
- Layout and clean up the national pedestrian path going through the municipality area.
Accommodation: In an old presbytery, now a youth club, in the centre of the village!
Location: Saint-Come is located 125 km North of Montreal.
Terminal: Montreal Airport (Mirabel or Dorval).

CJ-11 Sainte-Theodosie Calixa-Lavallee 31-07/21-08 HERI/RENO
LOCAL ORGANIZATION: Sainte-Theodosie Parish
The church council of the very friendly Sainte-Theodosie Parish wishes above all to help their beautiful church built between 1886 and 1890 to make it through time. Made of stones gathered from the fields, with its granite facade and roof covered in the Canadian fashion with metal sheets, this church is the local people's pride. On top of that, with this project, you will find yourself living in the heart of a very nice village counting an astonishing number of traditional houses. Get ready to hear all about the surrounding ancestor's story and to discover a rich patrimony, because people who are passionate about those subjects will accompany you! We have run 6 workcamps in the last years and the contacts with the locals have been "wonderful"!
Work: With the help of an enthusiast building restorer, you will get the chance to familiarize yourself with traditional techniques. CAREFUL: work in elevation foreseen.
- To clean and curette the joints of the stone walls on the western side of the church and behind the sacristy;
- To re-do the joints of the stone walls in order to waterproof them;
- To do the finishing joints on repaired walls;
- To inject concrete in the walls;
- To mend the joints of the walls in the basement.
Accommodation: In the community centre in front of the church.
Location: Calixa-Lavallee is located 50 km south-east of Montreal.
Terminal: Montreal Airport (Mirabel or Dorval)

CJ-12 Mont Video Barraute 07-08/28-08 RENO
Local Organization: Mount-Video Corporation
In Abitibi, whenever we talk about downhill skiing, Mount Video cannot be missed! Located between Val D’Or, Amos and Senneterre, this regional organisation has been offering, for over 30 years, outdoors leisure and sports activities to the population of Abitibi-Temiscamingue. For a fifth year, Chantiers jeunesse will take part in the development of summer activities. Currently, the Centre is used mostly in winter and the management is looking to diversify its activities by developing summer activities. Groups of Chantiers jeunesse have started the works needed to make the site accessible all year around. They have even built a splendid belvedere on the mountain and made a snowboard trail!
Work:
- Lay out of a new tube slide on the northern side of the mountain;
- Build a cabin that will be used as a rest place;
- To maintain and improve the mountain-bike trails: finishing of the path that will be use for the provincial final in 2005 (trail creation and modification, clearing);
- To make the signs in the existing trails (mountain bike, pedestrian, cross-country skiing) (building and fixing up of 30 signs).
Accommodation: In a ski station building, 13 km from the municipality of Barraute.
Location: Video Mount is located in Abitibi, 55 km north of Val D’Or and 580 km north of Montreal.
Terminal: Montreal Airport (Mirabel or Dorval).

CJ-13 Fete du village Wickham 07-08/28-08 FEST/CONS
Local Organization: «Fete au village» of Wickham
Located near Drummondville, in Centre-du-Quebec, takes place a popular festival of large scale in the municipality of Wickam: la Fete au village! (The Festival in the Village!). This festival was created in 1998 to emphasize the solidarity of the community after an important ice storm that hit Quebec at that time. Be careful, it is now a « big » event! It became bigger and bigger, going from 1 500 visitors to more than 25 000 last year! Indeed, it is now an important "rendez-vous" around retro, country, folkloric et popular music. On top of discovering the "Country" universe (Welcome in America!), you will discover the feeling of one of the biggest gathering of people coming from all ends of Quebec getting there in their… recreative vehicles (the "winnebagos"!)! All in all, you will live a popular activity with the local community!
Work: The people from Fete au village need your help to consolidate the amazing development of the festival by building structures that will be used in the next years and by participating to the different steps of the festival.
- Build sceneries, accessories and kiosks that will be used in the next years;
- Participate in the laying out of the sceneries for the festival;
- Give a hand to the announcement and participate to the activities of the volunteer committees;
- During the event, make sure that the festival goes well and if you wish, participate to the animation;
- Participate to the taking down at the end of the festival.
Accommodation: To be confirmed
Location: Wickham is located 100 km east of Montreal.
Terminal: Montreal Airport (Mirabel or Dorval).

SPECIAL PROJECT!!! FAMILY PROJECT!!!
CJ-F06 Camp Saint-Urbain Chertsey 27-06/11-07 RENO/ENVI
Local Organization: Saint-Urbain Summer Camp for families
The Saint-Urbain Summer Camp for families looks like a quiet little village, nevertheless dynamic, welcoming a diversity of culture. Located near Chertsey in the beautiful Lanaudiere region, this summer camp will welcome you in the surroundings of a lake situated on a vast area, where mountains and woodlands offer you an astonishing landscape. Its mission is to offer families and low-income individuals along with physically challenged people of any cultural origins, an accessible holiday site, aiming to better their life conditions. This peace haven offers various activities and services to families to bring them leisure and relaxation: swimming, aquatic activities, fishing, hiking, bond fire, activities for children, socio-cultural and intercultural activities.
Work: The Saint-Urbain Summer Camp for families needs a hand to renovate on of its housing pavilion and to layout a nature interpretation path.
- Paint two rooms and the outside of the pavilion;
- Fix the moldings. Put up the curtains, decorate the building;
- Layout a nature interpretation path and build a few footbridge.
At the end of the project, there will be an inauguration of the work with a party for the children!
During the working hours, the children will be taken in charge by the animation service of the camp and will participate to the activities of the site!
Accommodation: The families will stay in a pavilion on the site. Food provided by the camp cafeteria.
Location: The Saint-Urbain camp is in Chertsey, about 100 km of Montreal
Terminal: Aeroport de Montreal (Dorval ou Mirabel)
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Motivation letter, knowledge of French, vols between 18-30 years old, children from 2 to 11