Work Exchange Program
Participants may apply to be part of KlezKanada’s Work Exchange Program (WEP) at the Summer Retreat. Work Exchange Participants help to keep the Summer Retreat running smoothly and receive a discount on their registration fee. Work Exchange Participants will be assigned consistent shifts throughout the week, allowing them to participate in workshops and other programs during the rest of their day. In addition to the discount, the WEP is a great way to get involved and help out behind the scenes!
Participants who commit to a 2 hour per day shift will receive a 25% discount on their registration fee.
Participants who commit to a 4 hour per day shift will receive a 50% discount on their registration fee.
Participants who are assigned Team Leadership positions will receive a higher discount commensurate with the role.
How will the Summer Retreat Work Exchange program work?
- We accept and assign roles to participants as applications are received.
- Participants are assigned a consistent role (or combination of roles) throughout the week so that they can plan around their shifts.
- We have a limited number of work exchange positions and we may not be able to offer roles to all that apply.
- We cannot guarantee your preferred work-exchange position. In addition, participants must be ready to commit to their assigned shifts. This may mean that you are not able to attend every workshop or program that you hope to.
- Work-Exchange participants need to be available for an online orientation and training session before the retreat on Sunday August 2nd, 4 - 6 PM EST (1 - 3 PM PST/3 - 5 PM CST)
- 25% Work-Exchange discounts MAY be combined with the scholarship program but only shifts that do not conflict with workshop programming (bar, dining hall, cabaret, etc) .
- Work Exchange Participants MAY apply for our bursary program.
- Only ONE DISCOUNT (either Family Discount or Work Exchange Program discount) can be applied to any person. The higher discount will apply for any member of a family group who participates in the WEP.
- The deadline to apply for the Work Exchange Program is Friday July 10, 2026.
- The deadline to withdraw from the Work Exchange Program is Friday July 24, 2026. The Work Exchange Program is carefully organized and every minute counts. Except in the case of illness, withdrawal from the WEP past the deadline will affect future consideration for the WEP program, as well as other financial aid programs.
Work Exchange Roles
As a Work Exchange Program participant with our children's program run by Ozzy Irving Gold-Shapiro, you will help to supervise children, assist with arts projects, and go on hikes – among other fun activities. We will need 2 WEP’s per period (2 hour periods) committing to two periods (4 hours) per day. If you are interested in this position, please tell us about your experience or interest in working with children. 3-4 hour shifts.
*Youth Program Afternoon Team Lead
The Youth Program Afternoon Team Lead assists the Youth Program Coordinator in organizing and running the afternoon sessions of the Summer Retreat Youth Program. The team lead should have experience supervising children and must be comfortable coordinating other Work Exchange Program participants. This position will require communication and collaboration with the Youth Program Coordinator, as well as other KlezKanada and Le P’tit Bonheur staff members. This position will qualify for a higher discount on registration fees.
As a childcare WEP, you will help out our faculty who have young children (5 and under), providing assistance during evenings. This will require WEP to be ready to organize play or activities with the children, or to keep watch while the child is sleeping. If you are interested in this position, please tell us about your experience or interest in working with children. 2 or 4 hour shifts.
As a bartender you will help to run the bar at the concerts and cabaret. This may include keeping an inventory of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks (and requesting restocking as necessary), handling cash and card transactions, and keeping the bar running smoothly. While bartending experience isn’t required, it is recommended. 2-4 hour shifts.
As part of the Boutique Team you will help us run the merchandise sales at the Retreat. This may include managing checking-in and out of merchandise, handling cash and card transactions, overseeing the boutique helpers, and generally keeping the boutique running smoothly. 2-4 hour shifts.
*Boutique Team Lead
The Boutique Team Lead will organizes and supports the Boutique Team in addition to helping to run merchandise sales. This position will require communication and collaboration with the Work Exchange Coordinator, Administration and Operations Manager, and Executive Director. Team Lead must join at 10 AM on Monday August 17th to help with set up. This position will qualify for a higher discount on registration fees.
As an onsite nurse for our summer retreat, you will offer supportive and responsive care to camp participants navigating health concerns or illnesses. This includes attending to day-to-day medical needs of participants, responding to any emerging health issues, and providing a compassionate presence to help ensure the physical and emotional well-being of the community. A medical background is required for this position, such as certification as a nurse, EMT, or other relevant healthcare training. The nurse will be a key point person on the medical emergency team.
As part of our welcome team, you will help us set up Monday. This will include tasks like making beds for faculty and putting up signs and decor around the camp. As everyone begins to arrive you will work at the registration tables, helping to check people in. During the week, you will work shifts at the information desk and the boutique. 2 hour shifts. Work Exchange Participants in this role will need to arrive by 12 PM on Monday, August 18.
As part of our Move In/Move Out team, you will play a key role in setting up camp on Monday and breaking it down on Sunday. This will include tasks such as moving boxes, unloading and loading the van, and shifting furniture around camp. You'll also assist with organizing supplies, ensuring the camp is ready for participants, and helping pack everything up at the end of the retreat. A collaborative and flexible attitude is essential as we work together to make the transition to camp smooth and efficient. Work Exchange Participants in this role will need to arrive by 10 AM on Monday, August 17 to facilitate move in. Participants will need to be ready to facilitate packing and move out from 8 am - 2 pm on Sunday August 24 (we need to be packed and have departed the venue by 2 pm).
As a part of our Info Desk Team, you will be stationed at a central location at camp with available informational support for participants and faculty who need it. The Info Desk is the administrative and informational centre of the festival and you may find yourself helping with everything from questions about the schedule to distributing COVID-19 rapid tests. The info desk will be open at specific hours throughout the day. 2-4 hour shifts.
As part of our Site Crew, you will help to make sure that KlezKanada operations run smoothly and are prepared for programming. 2-4 hour shifts, depending on the day.
- Prepare spaces for workshops, concerts, and other events throughout the day and week
- Setting up and maintaining the snack station throughout the day and evening
- Sweep shared spaces, re-arrange chairs.
- Light garbage collecting and disposal.
- Help us keep the site running smoothly.
- Driving into town to pick up materials (requires a vehicle and an up-to-date drivers license). If you are willing to use your own vehicle, your application will have priority.
- Help to keep meals in the dining hall running smoothly, helping to educate and train the community about how meals are set up, wiping down surfaces, making sure signage is posted at appropriate stations, setting up and clearing the special shabes meal
*Site Crew Team Lead
The Site Crew Team Lead organizes and supports the Site Crew. This position will require communication and collaboration with the Work Exchange Coordinator, Administration and Operations Manager, and Logistics Team. This position will qualify for a higher discount on registration fees.
As part of our Cabaret Tech Crew, you will help to make sure that the late night Cabaret is set up and runs smoothly. You will work with the Logistics Team and the Cabaret hosts to help run sound for the Cabaret. 4 hour shifts between 10 PM - 2 AM.
Work Exchange Application
Photo: Sarah Gordon (cover image)