Junior Leader
Development Program....
a 3 stage program which could eventually lead successful applicants into employment here at the Butterfield Acres!

Are you 13-15 years of age? Would you like to develop skills and character through experiences working with animals? and children? Do you enjoy being in a fast-paced environment with other people who are passionate about what they do? Then the Butterfield Acres farm environment could be for you!!!

We invite enthusiastic teens to submit an application to the Junior Leader Development Program . Each year we selected a limited number of candidates and offer them some interesting learning experiences both on the farm and with our animals in petting zoo activities around town. Our Senior leaders work with you to develop some great techniques in handling both animals and people in this intersting environment.
Over the last 25 years we have had many Junior Leaders become part of the Senior "WE LUV FARM" team with many eventually going on to successful careers in many different fields, but most notably in Teaching and Animal care fields (there are currently 4 in Vet School and 13 in Education programs!)


You'll have fun, and......

• LEVEL ONE: the Volunteer stage...getting your feet wet: under the guidance of existing staff members you will be participating in a variety of Butterfield Acres activities and programs which will give you many opportunities for learning and gaining experiencein many different areas, but specifically with animals and children. As a Junior, you'll be paired up with different Senior Leaders for offsite activities like our Farm Corral (petting zoo) which takes animals out to activities all over Calgary, or will be part of the Legendary Easter Hunt, the Harvest Pumpkin Hunt, or our summer Day Camp program. This stage of the program is 60 hours (1 week of 'full day' Day Camps, or 2 weeks of 'half day' Day Camps qualifies for a credit of 30 hours) which gives most participants sufficient opportunity to to show just how enthusiastic and capable you can be!. Before moving onto the next stage you will need to consistently demonstrate that you are responsible and reliable, and that you have a strong interest in learning about, and working with, both people (children and parents in particular) and animals.
  
• LEVEL TWO: the Honorarium stage: Congratulations! You've reached Level 2. Now that you've got a few skills in your back pocket, you'll start to earn a little money (an Honorarium). We reward positive feedback about you with movie tickets and a "Pat on the Back" posted in the office for all to see, so... show us your STAR POWER!!! As your talents and strengths become more developed, you will be given opportunities for more responsibility (a bit at a time) and different experiences in other areas. Candidates for Level 3 must demonstate adaptability, flexibility, and proficiency at a Junior level in 3 or more of the following areas: Day Camps, Farm Corrals, Admission & Concession, Easter Hunts, Pumpkin Hunts, or Farmyard, and be recommended for Level 3 by two or more Senior staff members.
  
• LEVEL THREE: You're invited to OFFICIALLY become a staff member!!!! ....to be on the 'I LUV FARM' team! Of course you still grow and learn (we never stop that around here!). who knows...you may eventually step into Senior roles yourself! We have several people on Senior staff that started here when they were 3 years old in Day Camps! Others started Level One when they were 13 or 14! We'd love to see you too! Competitive wages, performance rewards, even "FARM STAR' of the week special parking privleges( for those who bring a car to work)!
  

So, let me fill in the application form!