Leaders in Training

Thank you for your interest, the form is now closed for the season

2026 Leaders in Training Application – Candidate Questionnaire

Ready to level up your leadership skills while diving into the world of STEM? If you’re looking for an awesome opportunity to gain work experience and make an impact, the LIT Program at McMaster is for you! As an LIT (Leaders in Training) student, you’ll play a key role in helping run summer programs, all while being mentored by amazing program instructors. You’ll get the chance to rack up 70 hours of work experience—and those hours count as volunteer hours, which is a must for graduating in Ontario! This is your chance to gain hands-on experience in STEM, develop your leadership skills, and make a difference in your community. So, if you’re in Grades 9-12 as of September 2026, don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity!

Candidate Information

Name(Required)

First Last

Date of Birth(Required)

Email Address(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Gmail Please – Not a School Board Email

Cell Phone Number(Required)

Grade entering in September 2026(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Parent/Guardian Information

Parent/Guardian Name(Required)

Parent/Guardian Cell Phone number(Required)

Parent/Guardian email address(Required)

Emergency Contact

Emergency Contact name(Required)

Emergency Contact phone number(Required)

Applicant Health Information

Please list all allergies or medical conditions.

Do you have an epi pen?

Yes

Is there any additional Information you would like to share?

Please list any dietary restrictions below.

Interests and Experience

The following section is the application portion that will be evaluated to determine successful applicants for Venture Academy’s Leader In Training (LIT) program in July and August 2026.

Please list any relevant volunteering or school experiences as well as any technical skills you feel would be an asset to the role (Examples: coding, 3D modeling, circuit building, lab skills, club experiences, or experience with online learning tools). If you’re interested in being a lab LIT for biology/chemistry or electricity, please provide experience that would lead you to be a good match for the corresponding position.(Required)

What does being a good leader mean to you?(Required)

A camper makes a mistake during a project and is embarrassed in front of their peers. How would you turn this into a positive learning experience for them and the group?(Required)

Campers will struggle to engage and feel excited about STEM if the people around them are not. How would you bring energy and enthusiasm to your role to make STEM fun and approachable?(Required)

A group of campers finishes a project quickly and seems restless. What would you do to keep them engaged and excited while waiting for the rest of the group?(Required)

If you were asked to prepare lab materials before a session, what steps would you take to ensure that everything is set up correctly and safely?(Required)

Please select which time frame you can volunteer for.(Required)

Cohort 1 – July 6 – 17, 2026

Cohort 2 – July 20-31, 2026

Cohort 3 – August 4- 21, 2026

Note: Camp runs weekdays only. Select all that apply.

Are you comfortable working and participating in lab experiments that involve the use of preserved animal specimens?(Required)

Yes

Have you attended Venture as a camper before?(Required)

Yes

Have you completed a placement as a Venture Leader in Training before?(Required)

Yes

Waivers and Agreements

Please read the following waivers and agreements carefully. They include release of liability and waiver of legal rights, and deprive you of the ability to sue certain parties. By agreeing electronically, you acknowledge that you have both read and understood all text presented to you as part of the application process.

Consent, Waiver, Indemnity & Release Form Photographs, Video and Voice Recording:(Required)

I agree to the Consent, Waiver, Indemnity & Release Form Photographs, Video and Voice Recording

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY! BY SIGNING THIS LEGAL DOCUMENT, YOU GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE
This document relates to the Venture Academy Programs scheduled to occur between July 1 and August 26, 2026.

Permission. I, the undersigned, hereby grant permission to McMaster University (“McMaster”) and its representatives to photograph and video me, and otherwise capture my image, and to make recordings of my voice at the event or location referenced above.

McMaster Rights. I hereby grant to McMaster and its representatives, the right to use, reproduce, distribute, and broadcast my image, including my name, voice, likeness and affiliation with McMaster captured in such recordings in any media now known or later developed as well as my name for promoting, publicizing or explaining McMaster and its activities and for administrative, educational or research purposes. This right also extends to any of the contents performed, created or provided by me which are captured in any recordings, such as my performances, artwork, compositions or similar materials (the “Materials”). This right is irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide, non-exclusive and transferrable.

Ownership. I acknowledge that McMaster owns all rights to the images and recordings.

Waiver. I hereby waive:
i. any right to inspect or approve the use of the images or recordings or of any written copy;
ii. all moral rights; and
iii. any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the images, recordings or materials.

Indemnity. I hereby release, defend, indemnify and hold harmless McMaster, its Board of Governors, officers, employees or agents from and against any and all claims, damages or liability arising from or related to the use of the images, recordings or materials, including but not limited to claims of defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of publicity or copyright infringement, or any misuse, distortion, blurring, alteration, optical illusion or use in composite form that may occur or be produced in taking, processing, reduction or production of the finished product, its publication or distribution.

Please see the Assumption of Responsibility, Risk and Liability Waiver:(Required)

I agree to the Assumption of Responsibility, Risk and Liability Waiver

McMASTER UNIVERSITY PARTICIPANT RISK, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & WAIVER
BY SIGNING THIS LEGAL DOCUMENT, YOU GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

This McMaster University Participant Risk, Acknowledgment and Waiver (the “Agreement”) MUST be signed/initialed by a parent or legal guardian for the Participant Minor as named below who is participating in the Venture Academy Program (the “Program”) within the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University.

McMaster University advises that participation in the activities associated with the Program (the “Activities”) contains elements of risk, both obvious and inherent. Further, by participating in the Activities, I am also aware I will be exposed to many inherent risks and dangers (“Risks”) that may result in, among other things, mild or severe illness, potential exposure to infectious and communicable disease, including but not limited to COVID-19; contracting COVID- 19, physical injury, partial or total disability, death and/or property loss or damage.
1. By signing this Agreement I agree and acknowledge that:

1.1 the Participant Minor’s and/or my participation in the Activities may have inherent risks as a result of which personal injury, including death, or property damage may occur and I accept and assume all such risks arising from the Activities and hereby waive my individual right to commence legal action against the Released Parties for all claims I, or my representatives, may have for such personal injury, death or property damage;
1.2 participation in the Activities is NOT MANDATORY;
1.3 there will be other participants in the Program, such as but not limited to:
1.3.1 employees of Program with the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University,
1.3.2 other registered participant minors of the Program, and
1.3.3 if requested by their parents/guardians, the parents/guardians of other registered participant minors;
1.4 McMaster University may use any media content recorded or taken during the Program for promotional material for McMaster University, Venture Academy and without any further permission or payment;

1.5 I am responsible for the condition of any tools or equipment appropriate or needed for the Participant Minor to participate in the Program;

1.6 I am responsible for ensuring that the I and/or the Participant Minor will have and will wear equipment suitable for safety and properly participating in the Program;

1.7 I am not only giving up my right to sue the Released Parties but also any rights my heirs, assigns or beneficiaries may have to sue the Released Parties resulting from my death;

1.8 I, and will ensure that the Participant Minor, will follow the laws, recommended guidelines, policies and protocols issued by the Government of the Province and/or McMaster University, in respect of COVID-19, including practicing physical distancing and mask wearing, and in accordance with McMaster University’s Vaccination Policy – COVID-19 Requirements for Visitors https://secretariat.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/Vaccinati on-Policy-COVID-19-Requirements-for-Visitors.pdf;
1.9 I, and on behalf of the Participant Minor, will complete the COVID-19 Ontario Provincial Screening Tool and/or any McMaster University COVID-19 screening tool as required prior to entry onto McMaster University premises;

1.10 the Participant Minor, if 12 years of age or older on the start date of the Program, will be vaccinated in accordance with McMaster University’s Vaccination Policy – COVID-19 Requirements for Visitors https://secretariat.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/Vaccinati on-Policy-COVID-19-Requirements-for-Visitors.pdf; and

1.11 I, and will ensure that the Participant Minor will follow and abide by any and all risk assessments, health and safety regulations and instructions, received prior to taking part in the Activities.
2. I indemnify, hold harmless and release McMaster University, its directors, officers, employees, agents and contractors (the “Released Parties”) from all claims, costs, damages, liability or responsibility whatsoever for personal injury, property damage or wrongful death howsoever caused, including, but not limited to, the negligence of the Released Parties, whether passive or active, which arise from my participation in the Activities and/or the Program.
3. I agree that this Agreement shall be governed in all respects by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.

4. I confirm that I have read and understood this Agreement and that by initialing in the box below, this terms as provided in this Agreement will be binding on me, the Participant Minor and on my, and their, heirs, next of kin, executors, and administrators.

Thank you!

Thank you very much for completing the application to volunteer this summer with Venture Academy through the Leaders In Training (LIT) Program. Due to the sheer number of applicants, only successful candidates will be offered a position. We hope you continue to have an enthusiasm for STEM and look to create opportunities for Youth to find that same passion.

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