EcoMentors

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out these Frequently Asked Questions to see if we have the answer. If you can’t find the answer, contact us.

Being an EcoMentor

How can I register to become an EcoMentor?

Interested youth can register online or contact the EcoMentors program.

How do I train to become an EcoMentor?

After you sign-up to EcoMentors you will have three training options available to you. You can choose one of the following training options

Local Training Sessions
Self-Training
Training Delivery Partners

Learn more about getting trained.

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How much time does it take to become an EcoMentor?

Becoming an EcoMentor is a simple commitment and you can work at your own pace. In order to obtain your EcoMentors Certification and your rewards package, we ask that you complete your EcoMentors Training and a minimum of four workshops.

EcoMentors who complete four classroom visits gain

An EcoMentors Certificate of Completion
Resume job skills and experience
A reference letter
An EcoMentors Reward Package

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Can EcoMentoring count toward volunteer or community service hours for school?

If you’re a high school student you may be required to complete a certain number of “community service” or volunteer hours. You may be able to count the time you spend EcoMentoring toward this requirement. Please double check with a teacher or someone at your school to make sure.

Here’s a typical breakdown of how many hours an EcoMentor could gain by actively participating in the program

Two hours – EcoMentors Self-Training (or three to four hours for a “live” training session)
Three hours per Host Group workshop

One hour preparation
One hour Host Group workshop
One hour travel & feedback

EcoMentors who complete the minimum requirement of four workshops can earn up to 18 volunteer hours (or 40 hours through 12 workshops).

close

How does the EcoMentors certification work?

We require that EcoMentors complete a minimum of four workshops to receive certification. This can be helpful for future career choices and applications.

close

How do I start an EcoMentors club?

Organizing an EcoMentors club is a great way to work with other people who are excited about the program. Clubs support each other during training, become active members in the EcoMentors program and have lots of fun together while increasing the level environmental awareness in their community.

Check out the EcoMentors Club Guide in our resources section or contact us if you want to start a club.

close

How do I track my progress?

A minimum of four workshops must be completed and tracked to become a certified EcoMentor. You also need to track your progress if you are completing volunteer/community hours. Use our Program Forms to help track your progress, and then mail, fax or email them to EcoMentors staff for confirmation

close

Facilitating EcoMentors Workshops

8.I’m in school all day – when can I find time to EcoMentor?

By thinking creatively and working with people in your school/community there is plenty of time to EcoMentor without having to take time off school. Consider

Late start days
Professional advancement days
Free periods
Offset lunchtimes/end of the day
Teacher exemptions
After school or weekend programs at schools, community centres or faith-based groups

Note: Some school volunteer or community service programs will not count hours completed during school time. Check with your school to make sure. If so, consider ways to EcoMentor outside of school hours.

close

9.Where can I EcoMentor? Do I have to work with elementary school students?

You can EcoMentor wherever you want! We encourage you to be creative when finding a Host Group to facilitate an EcoMentors workshop with. Classrooms are a great place to start, but can be difficult to schedule because of your school day. Consider local community groups (e.g. Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Beavers, Brownies etc.), afterschool programs, day camps, recreation programs, youth groups… WHEREVER! Be creative! Use your contacts or just call someone and tell them what you’re doing… the possibilities are endless.

close

10.Do I have to EcoMentor alone?

No, you can team up with other EcoMentors as well. In fact, many EcoMentors have successfully set-up EcoMentors clubs or groups. This is a great way to make your experience fun and rewarding.

It’s best to facilitate in groups of two to five at most. Group facilitation can make the experience more rewarding as you can work with smaller groups of peers and young people. Please remember to make sure everyone knows what their role is throughout the workshop.

close

11.How do I decide on an environmental topic for the workshop?

Feel free to have a look at the lesson plans we offer to get some ideas. If there is one you really like, use it as-is, or adapt it and make it your own.

To get your “creative juices” flowing when selecting a topic, pick up a newspaper or watch the evening news. Ask yourself: What environmental issues catch your interest? Are there environmental activities going on in your community? Has the Environment Club at your school completed any successful activities?

Once you’ve found your topic, design some fun, age-appropriate games and educational activities to support your topic.

close

Hosting a Youth-led Workshop

12.
I am an educator or community service provider – How do I invite an EcoMentor to do a workshop with my class or group?

Having an EcoMentor work with your group can be an incredibly rewarding and fun experience. Generally, EcoMentors are responsible for finding a Host Group. One option is to register with EcoMentors as a Host Group Contact. You would become the main point of contact for the EcoMentors.

Read more about Youth-Led Workshops or Contact us to find out if there is an EcoMentor in your community.

close

General Questions

13.Is there a fee to participate in the EcoMentors program?

No. EcoMentors is offered as a free program by Earth Day Canada.

close

14.Is there an age limit to be an EcoMentor?

No, but the EcoMentors program is targeted at youth ages 15 to 24 (based on the United Nations definition of “youth”). Youth who are slightly older or younger, and who are confident and passionate about EcoMentoring, are certainly welcome to participate.

close

15.Can the program provide financial or material resources for EcoMentoring workshops, activities or clubs?

Earth Day Canada (EDC) is not a funding body and we are unable to provide any monetary support for individual EcoMentors projects, but if you’re creative and plan well, you can EcoMentor without any money and you can find the materials you need at home, school, or some other place.

However, if you feel that you need to raise money or seek material donations for your EcoMentoring activities here are some green fundraising ideas

Bake sale
Clothes swap
Bike wash and chain cleaning (a green alternative to the traditional car wash)
Environmental awareness movie nights
Canvas local businesses (visit or write a letter to local businesses asking for simple donations)
Green Students Fundraising – Check out this organization that provides students with a environmentally responsible way to raise funds for their school activities www.greenstudents.ca

close





	Frequently Asked Questions Check out these Frequently Asked Questions to see if we have the answer. If you can’t find the answer, contact us. Being an EcoMentor How can I register to become an EcoMentor? Interested youth can register online or contact the EcoMentors program. close How do I train to become an EcoMentor? After you sign-up to EcoMentors you will have three training options available to you. You can choose one of the following training options Local Training Sessions Self-Training Training Delivery Partners Learn more about getting trained. close How much time does it take to become an EcoMentor? Becoming an EcoMentor is a simple commitment and you can work at your own pace. In order to obtain your EcoMentors Certification and your rewards package, we ask that you complete your EcoMentors Training and a minimum of four workshops. EcoMentors who complete four classroom visits gain An EcoMentors Certificate of Completion Resume job skills and experience A reference letter An EcoMentors Reward Package close Can EcoMentoring count toward volunteer or community service hours for school? If you’re a high school student you may be required to complete a certain number of “community service” or volunteer hours. You may be able to count the time you spend EcoMentoring toward this requirement. Please double check with a teacher or someone at your school to make sure. Here’s a typical breakdown of how many hours an EcoMentor could gain by actively participating in the program Two hours – EcoMentors Self-Training (or three to four hours for a “live” training session) Three hours per Host Group workshop One hour preparation One hour Host Group workshop One hour travel & feedback EcoMentors who complete the minimum requirement of four workshops can earn up to 18 volunteer hours (or 40 hours through 12 workshops). close How does the EcoMentors certification work? We require that EcoMentors complete a minimum of four workshops to receive certification. This can be helpful for future career choices and applications. close How do I start an EcoMentors club? Organizing an EcoMentors club is a great way to work with other people who are excited about the program. Clubs support each other during training, become active members in the EcoMentors program and have lots of fun together while increasing the level environmental awareness in their community. Check out the EcoMentors Club Guide in our resources section or contact us if you want to start a club. close How do I track my progress? A minimum of four workshops must be completed and tracked to become a certified EcoMentor. You also need to track your progress if you are completing volunteer/community hours. Use our Program Forms to help track your progress, and then mail, fax or email them to EcoMentors staff for confirmation close Facilitating EcoMentors Workshops 8.I’m in school all day – when can I find time to EcoMentor? By thinking creatively and working with people in your school/community there is plenty of time to EcoMentor without having to take time off school. Consider Late start days Professional advancement days Free periods Offset lunchtimes/end of the day Teacher exemptions After school or weekend programs at schools, community centres or faith-based groups Note: Some school volunteer or community service programs will not count hours completed during school time. Check with your school to make sure. If so, consider ways to EcoMentor outside of school hours. close 9.Where can I EcoMentor? Do I have to work with elementary school students? You can EcoMentor wherever you want! We encourage you to be creative when finding a Host Group to facilitate an EcoMentors workshop with. Classrooms are a great place to start, but can be difficult to schedule because of your school day. Consider local community groups (e.g. Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Beavers, Brownies etc.), afterschool programs, day camps, recreation programs, youth groups… WHEREVER! Be creative! Use your contacts or just call someone and tell them what you’re doing… the possibilities are endless. close 10.Do I have to EcoMentor alone? No, you can team up with other EcoMentors as well. In fact, many EcoMentors have successfully set-up EcoMentors clubs or groups. This is a great way to make your experience fun and rewarding. It’s best to facilitate in groups of two to five at most. Group facilitation can make the experience more rewarding as you can work with smaller groups of peers and young people. Please remember to make sure everyone knows what their role is throughout the workshop. close 11.How do I decide on an environmental topic for the workshop? Feel free to have a look at the lesson plans we offer to get some ideas. If there is one you really like, use it as-is, or adapt it and make it your own. To get your “creative juices” flowing when selecting a topic, pick up a newspaper or watch the evening news. Ask yourself: What environmental issues catch your interest? Are there environmental activities going on in your community? Has the Environment Club at your school completed any successful activities? Once you’ve found your topic, design some fun, age-appropriate games and educational activities to support your topic. close Hosting a Youth-led Workshop 12. I am an educator or community service provider – How do I invite an EcoMentor to do a workshop with my class or group? Having an EcoMentor work with your group can be an incredibly rewarding and fun experience. Generally, EcoMentors are responsible for finding a Host Group. One option is to register with EcoMentors as a Host Group Contact. You would become the main point of contact for the EcoMentors. Read more about Youth-Led Workshops or Contact us to find out if there is an EcoMentor in your community. close General Questions 13.Is there a fee to participate in the EcoMentors program? No. EcoMentors is offered as a free program by Earth Day Canada. close 14.Is there an age limit to be an EcoMentor? No, but the EcoMentors program is targeted at youth ages 15 to 24 (based on the United Nations definition of “youth”). Youth who are slightly older or younger, and who are confident and passionate about EcoMentoring, are certainly welcome to participate. close 15.Can the program provide financial or material resources for EcoMentoring workshops, activities or clubs? Earth Day Canada (EDC) is not a funding body and we are unable to provide any monetary support for individual EcoMentors projects, but if you’re creative and plan well, you can EcoMentor without any money and you can find the materials you need at home, school, or some other place. However, if you feel that you need to raise money or seek material donations for your EcoMentoring activities here are some green fundraising ideas Bake sale Clothes swap Bike wash and chain cleaning (a green alternative to the traditional car wash) Environmental awareness movie nights Canvas local businesses (visit or write a letter to local businesses asking for simple donations) Green Students Fundraising – Check out this organization that provides students with a environmentally responsible way to raise funds for their school activities www.greenstudents.ca close Copyright © Reproduction permitted only with written permission of Earth Day Canada. All Rights Reserved.