Volunteer Opportunity for the 54th Annual Canoe the Nonquon

Canoe the Nonquon is an annual race that takes place on the first Saturday in June each year. This race was started by the Lake Scugog Historical Society as a fundraiser for the Scugog Shores Museum Village in 1970 and continues to support the Museum today! Canoe the Nonquon is sanctioned by the Ontario Marathon Canoe and Kayak Racing Association (OMCKRA). Volunteers are vital to the success of the Museum’s largest fundraiser. If you are interested in joining our volunteer team, contact us today!

Volunteer positions include:

• Registration
• Checkpoint volunteers (Start line, Robinglade Park, Finish line)
• BBQ and merchandise
• Announcer
• Audio Visual
• Safety coordinator
• Safety boats
• Photography
• Set-up and take-down

Volunteer position descriptions:

Registration – Assist on Friday night registration (6:00 pm to 9:00 pm) and Saturday morning registration (7:00 am to 10:00 am). Volunteers will assist in directing participants.

Checkpoint – Checkpoint volunteers assist at the start line (Seagrave), Robinglade Park, and the finish line (Palmer Park). Checkpoint volunteers record boats as they enter, exit, and pass by the checkpoints. This information is communicated to Museum staff and the safety coordinator to ensure all participants are safe and accounted for. Volunteers also assist in answering questions and directing guests as necessary.

BBQ and Merchandise – Assist in selling items at the Museum BBQ in Palmer Park as well as selling Canoe the Nonquon Merchandise in the Latcham Centre.

Announcer – Announce boat numbers as they reach the finish line and provide announcements in Palmer Park.

Audio Visual – Assist in setting up Audio Visual equipment and troubleshoot as necessary. Equipment includes announcer sound system, setup of Race Operations screens, setup of projector, etc.

Safety Coordinator – Communicate with radio operators, staff, safety boats, and emergency services (first aid team and volunteer firefighter boat) to ensure the safety of participants. The main job is to ensure each participant boat is accounted for.

***Safety Boats*** – Do you own a boat and are able to volunteer for the day? This is our most needed volunteer position! As a safety boat volunteer, you will provide your own boat and spend the day on the lake as you monitor participants while staying in contact with the safety coordinator. Participants will be monitored for any unexpected exits or signs of distress. Volunteer firefighters are on the lake with you in case of participant distress.

Photography – Do you have a love for photography and experience with sport and nature photographs? Photographers are needed for action shots of the race as well as at the awards ceremony.

Set-up and take-down – Assist in set-up and take-down of the event including setting out chairs for the award ceremony, taking down chairs and tables in the Latcham Centre, and assisting in setting up stations in Palmer Park (ex. First aid station, BBQ station, finish line).

Become a Volunteer

To become a volunteer please contact us at museum@scugog.ca call 905-982-2404, or visit our Canoe the Nonquon page to complete a volunteer application.