Town of Banff

Bow Valley Mentoring Program

To be a mentor, you don’t need superhuman qualities...

Just human ones.

Mentoring: just an hour a week can make a big difference

The program

The Bow Valley Mentoring Program (BVMP) offers a great opportunity for you to get to know a child and watch him grow. As a mentor you will spend one hour a week, during school hours, with a child from Banff Elementary School or Banff Community High School. Spend your time together in the school or go out and try a range of activities you are both interested in. Either way, there will be something in it for both of you.

Why mentoring?

We’ve all been touched by someone who brought possibility and inspiration into our lives. Spending as little as an hour a week with a young person – in our local school – can make a big difference. There’s a waiting list of young people who can benefit from your life experiences.

Getting started

School staff identify students who would benefit from having a positive adult role model to visit with each week.

If the student is interested in participating in the program, parental consent is obtained. The student and mentor begin meeting in the school for one hour, once a week for the duration of the school year.

Once you’ve known your student for three months, you can begin participating in activities off campus. In the past, kids have loved going skating, cross country skiing and even just going for coffee or lunch with their mentor.

What makes a good mentor?

• someone who likes spending time with kids
• someone who’s encouraging and can offer inspiration
• someone with a range of interests and who is open to ideas and new activities

Getting involved...

The BVMP recruits, screens and trains adult volunteers to mentor students. The entire screening and training process is performed at no cost to the volunteer and will take 6 - 8 hours of your time. Before mentoring can begin all volunteers need to complete the following steps:

• a written application form with two reference checks -  available in our full application package, which can be picked up at Banff Town Hall, or downloaded here:
• Bow Valley Mentoring Program Application Form ( PDF - 354 kb)
  ***DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 30, 2011***

• a personal interview

Little moments can make a big difference. Think back to your own childhood.

What experiences shaped who you are today? Who influenced you? Who had an impact? Spending just an hour with a child each week can touch your life and theirs.

Take the time to teach your student about a new experience. Go to a movie, for a hike, a ski, create art or just hang out.

“Excellent program. Thanks for your support and keep up the good work!”  
 -- mentor

“The program contributes to build a better community.”   
 -- mentor

“It gives you a good opportunity to get to know someone really well.”
 -- student

“It’s fun, it helps you understand life.”
 -- student

“My son has loved getting to know his mentor. He has been a huge influence in his life.”
-- parent

The Bow Valley Mentoring Program is brought to you by Town of Banff Family and Community Support Services in partnership with the Canadian Rockies Public School Division.

The Bow Valley Mentoring Program has been developed with the support of the Alberta Mentoring Foundation for Youth.

Town of Banff
Family and Community Support Services
Banff Town Hall, 110 Bear Street
Box 1260
Banff, Alberta, T1L 1A1
T: 403.762.1251
F: 403.762.1264
E-mail: community.services@banff.ca