In order to further immerse themselves in Kootenay culture, Katimavik’s Castlegar volunteers are looking for families willing to take in a billet over a two-week period.
From May 1 to May 15, the host families should be willing to immerse their billet in local activities and culture whenever possible and be interested in learning about Katimavik.
Dailen McDonald, a current Katimavik participant staying in Castlegar said the volunteers are from all over Canada. They will be in Castlegar for three months total, during which time they’ll be volunteering to help improve the community.
McDonald said there are placements at the Chamber of Commerce and Twin Rivers Elementary to name two.
The current Castlegar Katimavik participants all just came from volunteering in Quebec, south of the St. Lawrence River, McDonald said.
“[The families] would be able to talk to the person,” McDonald said. “They’d be in their home except when they’re working during the week.”
He said during his last rotation, he was placed with a young couple who were engineers. They would make supper together and settle in to watch a movie at night.
“It’s a really cool youth program if any families are interested,” he said.
If families are interested, they must ensure their participant has access to a proper place to sleep and food. Katimavik will contribute to the cost of living with $10 per day. The participants in Katimavik range in age from 17 to 21.
Katimavik has been in place since 1977. Since that time, they have had more than 30,000 youth go through the program in more than 2,000 Canadian communities. Right now there are also Katimavik groups in Nelson and Kaslo.
For more information, please call the local Castlegar Katimavik house at 403-693-3090 ext. 2203.