Thank you for considering volunteering with Strathcona Wilderness Institute. Outlined below are some of the main types of volunteering we offer. There are always more ways to get involved!
Click here to fill out our volunteering form. Any questions please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at coordinator.swi@gmail.com or general questions to strathconawilderness@gmail.com
Wilderness Centres
Paradise Meadows Wilderness Centre
The Paradise Meadows Wilderness (also known as Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre) is open during the summer season from Late June – Early October. Generally once the snow melts through to Thanksgiving.
Daily operation of the centre is from the help of hired summer students, based on Canada Summer Jobs Grants, and by volunteers.
The primary role is to be a presence and someone the public can talk to as they start their days exploring the park. This involves talking to the public about trail conditions, general questions and information about the park, and selling maps/merchandise etc.
We normally ask for a 6 hour shift and in so we provide a gas reimbursement for your travel up the mountain. Volunteering can be individual, paired up with a student, or with another volunteer.
Buttle Lake Wilderness Centre
The Buttle Lake Wilderness is open during the summer season from Late June – Early October.
Daily operation of the centre is mainly from volunteers. In the past we have had students working at Buttle Lake but due to it’s remoteness it varies year to year.
The primary role is to be a presence and someone the public can talk to as they start their days exploring the park. This involves talking to the public about trail conditions, general questions and information about the park, and selling maps/merchandise etc. We normally ask for a 6 hour shift and in so we provide a gas reimbursement for your travel.
Becoming a “Host”
Due to the remoteness of the Buttle Lake Wilderness Centre we are looking for volunteers to operate the center for extended periods of time. Ideally we are for over a weekend or longer.
Accommodations:
There are two main options for volunteers staying at Buttle Lake Wilderness Centre. The first is camping at the hut with Tent or RV. The second is staying at the nearby BC Parks/43K rangers station. More information will be posted shortly on the faculties available.
Training:
We ask that volunteers either attend our season opening training/orientation day, normally 1 day on weekend in the last couple weeks of June each year (2026 Date TBD), or acquire at least 1 day of training with at the Paradise Meadows Wilderness Centre beforehand.
Location: Google Maps Link
Events & Fundraisers
Poster Distribution
SWI tries to put on a couple events throughout the year to help raise awareness and funds for the organization and its mission. We are looking for a few volunteers to help with poster distribution around Courtenay and Campbell River.
Please contact coordinator.swi@gmail.com if you would be interested in helping out. The next events are The Mountain Legacy Project on March 6th, 2026 and the VIMFF on April 10th, 2026.
