Action for Conservation 2025 Summer Camp Volunteer

About Us:

Action for Conservation (AFC) is a UK youth environmental action charity that inspires and empowers young people aged 12-24, from diverse backgrounds across the UK, by bringing the magic of nature into their lives and inspiring a youth movement committed to conservation, restoration and the Earth. To us, being a 'conservationist' or 'environmentalist' doesn't just mean following a career as a field biologist or a campaigner. We believe that a passion for nature can flow through anyone's life, whatever their day job. We inspire today's young people to a long-term belief in the wonder of the natural world, which will shape their dreams and actions however their life turns out.

To date, we have supported over 6,000 young people in taking action to address the climate and ecological emergency, learning new skills, growing their eco-literacy, and building a connection to nature in the process. We empower young people to actively contribute to creating a revitalised, diverse and effective environmental sector, bring about long-term and meaningful change in their communities, and shape the values of wider society to build a future in which people and the planet will thrive. Every summer we deliver our life-changing all-inclusive Residential Camps, held across the UK's National Parks, where young people with leadership potential spend five days connecting with nature. Young people explore habitats, take part in hands-on conservation activities with partners like the National Trust, build campaigning and activism skills, see incredible wildlife during bird ringing, moth trapping and bat walk sessions, and make friends for life. The final days of camp consist of young people sharing their ideas, finding inspiration, and planning their own grassroots project to bring about change in their communities when they return home.

This summer (2025), AFC is looking for experienced young environmentalists with a passion for engaging young people to be part of our young, dynamic and committed volunteer team. You'll join us on one of our regional 5-day residential summer camps and help us deliver a life-changing experience to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.

Camp Locations and Dates:

1. South East (South Downs National Park)
   Camp 1: 28 July - 1 August
   Camp 2: 18 August - 22 August
2. South West (Pembrokeshire Coast National Park)
   Camp 1: 28 July - 1 August
   Camp 2: 11 August - 15 August
3. North West (Peak District National Park)
   Camp 1: 28 July - 1 August
   Camp 2: 11 August - 15 August

Required Profile, Skills and Experience:

• You must be an adult (aged 18+)
• Background and/or experience in the Environmental, Sustainability and/or Life Science sectors e.g. environmental campaigners and artists, zoologists and ecologists, botanists and horticulturists, sustainability sector professionals
• Experience and passion for working with young people, ideally aged 12-16, in a relevant context
• Experience facilitating or teaching in-person group activities
• Engaging, positive attitude and willing to learn on the go
• Able to commit to at least 3 of the 5 days of one of the residentials listed above
• Comfortable working all or most of the day outdoors during camp delivery
• Comfortable working residentially, which involves staying overnight and working extended hours, including evening and early mornings, during camp delivery
• Work in accordance with our organisational policies, such as Child Safeguarding, Health and Safety, and Equality and Diversity policies

Desirable Skills for Specific Camps:

• In the North West: Photography skills/experience, Species identification/ID skills, Strong ecological knowledge base
• In the South West: Bushcraft skills, Outdoor sports/play experience, Marine knowledge
• In the South East: Photography skills/experience, Marine knowledge, Strong ecological knowledge base

What You'll Do:

• Stay on-site for the duration of the camp with the young people and other AFC staff and volunteers.
• Support us in delivering engaging and hands-on sessions with young people at camp that aim to build environmental knowledge, skills and inspiration. You may have the opportunity to deliver specific sessions on your areas of interest and expertise.
• Support with group management and informal pastoral support during structured sessions and young people's free time.
• Assist with managing risk, health and safety and safeguarding on camp.
• Help with cooking, cleaning and general camp logistics.
• Act as a mentor to a diverse group of young people.
• Lead games and contribute to the fun!

What We Provide:

• Thorough induction and training package before starting camp, including facilitation, safeguarding, and health and safety training.
• Travel costs to/from camp, hostel-style accommodation for four nights and all meals during camp (vegetarian).
• Materials or resources required for any sessions you will lead or support, to be agreed upon in advance.
• A positive and supportive team-oriented environment.

What You'll Gain:

• An all-expense paid adventure in one of the UK's National Parks.
• Experience in youth work and nature conservation.
• New skills and knowledge in public speaking, youth engagement, group facilitation, practical conservation, and others.
• Seeing the impact of what you do, as you transform young people's lives.
• Travel costs and accommodation, including vegetarian meals provided.
• Meeting and working with a likeminded, young, mission-driven team and other environmentalists who truly love what they do.

To Apply:

• To apply to be an Action for Conservation 2025 Summer Camp Volunteer, please complete our online application form, and select the volunteer role titled 2025 Camp Volunteer. We also have a variety of other volunteer roles available, so please do apply for other roles that you may be interested in. If you would like any additional information or have any accessibility needs to access the application, please do contact us. The deadline for applications is 29th April 2025.

Safeguarding:

As a youth organisation, we ask all volunteers to adhere to our safer recruitment standards outlined in our Safeguarding Policy. Candidates will be asked to submit a CV and two references as part of their application and must comply with necessary DBS checks before a place on camp can be confirmed.

Equality and Diversity Statement:

Diversity is one of our core values as an organisation and we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We also recognise that the climate and ecological crisis disproportionately impacts minority and/or marginalised communities - yet these voices are largely underrepresented in the sector. Currently, the farming sector is the least diverse in the UK and the environmental sector is second, with just 1.4% and 4.8% employees from minority backgrounds, respectively. If the environmental movement is to succeed in creating a greener future that supports society as a whole, we need these diverse voices at the heart of our work. We therefore encourage volunteer applications from people currently underrepresented in the environmental movement to apply. Action for Conservation aims to monitor its progress against aims set out in its Equality and Diversity Policy.