Setup for the historic Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Country Fest has begun.
On Thursday, July 16, volunteers were setting up the Home Arts and Garden competition area for the fair, including a team of volunteers from the Matsqui First Nation.
The team were part of the Matsqui First Nation Youth Summer Career Program, who have been helping out with various Lower Mainland organizations for the summer, giving the students real world experience and teaching them skills to take into the future.
Program coordinator, 28-year-old Gabrielle Courtorielle, explained the career youth program not only teaches youth about different career paths, but also about how to write a resume, a cover letter, about work place safety.
They learn about their own values, and identify goals they want to achieve, and about careers they would like to go into.
It also teaches them about the importance of volunteering.
“Every week they are doing something new, so, being out of their comfort zone and bringing in the skills they have and also learning new skills they can take into the future with them, I’m proud that they are trying something new every day,” said Courtorielle.
The group does one classroom day a week and then spends the rest of their time volunteering at different events and with different organizations throughout the Lower Mainland.
In addition to Country Fest, they have helped the Fraser Valley Gleaners Society by peeling and cutting up potatoes and other vegetables for soups to help out with Venezuelan earthquake relief, they have helped with a park cleanup by picking up garbage, next week they are going to be helping at the CEED Centre in Maple Ridge in their farming garden.
“It makes you feel good to help others,” said William Bird, 16, one of the youth in the program.
“It’s one thing I’ve been wanting to do, is to help others. And, the fact that I get to do that, in this program, means a lot,” Bird said.
Enzo Joy, 13, said they have learned that the jobs they do are fun and gives them real world experience.
As part of the program, which ends on Aug. 28, the group have also completed a food safety course and a first aid course, to get their certification.
They will also be working with the BC Wildlife Federation, BC Fisheries, and they will also learn about archery.
Fair manager Graham Vanstone said they were fortunate to have a group like the youth from Matsqui First Nation help out, and said they will be back two more times helping with the setup and tear down of the event.
Other groups who have come to help out include InnerVisions Recovery Society and Last Door Recovery Society.
Rye Silver, 16, said it means a lot to to be able to help other people.
Joshua Sidon, 15, has, so far, enjoyed the culinary experiences of the program, but was surprised by what appeared to be a lack of volunteers at some organizations.
“I am just glad to be able to take part in that and to be able to work on my leadership with these kids,” added Sidon.
A volunteer open call and safety information session is being held at 7:30 p.m. on July 17, at the office at 23448 Jim Robson Way, Maple Ridge.
Volunteer application forms can be found at: https://www.mrpmcountryfest.com/volunteer-forms.
For more information call 604-4636922 or email: admin@mrpmcountryfest.com.
Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Country Fest runs July 24-26 at the Albion Fairgrounds.
The historical fair is celebrating 125 years this year and will feature 4H Clubs from across the province, plus live entertainment, a Home Arts and Gardening contest, sheep shearing, a free public skate, Gymkhana, a food truck festival, a West Coast Lumberjack Show, Shooting Star Amusements, and a free senior’s sneak peek from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, July 24.
Matsqui First Nation Youth Summer Career Program is always looking for more volunteer experiences and will travel as far as Burnaby to the Cultus Lake area of Chilliwack.
To get in touch with the group call: 604-850-4627.