Youth Week

Youth Week is a National celebration of youth achievements and programs in individual communities. The week of May 2-8, 20 11 has been chosen to highlight the activities that are available to youth in the community and to celebrate the achievements and presence of youth in North Bay.

Since 2001, the city of North Bay and many community organizations have been working to develop and grow youth programming in the c ity. The retention, attraction and engagement of youth continues to be a priority. Major issues such as youth out-mig ration, social programming, education and employment opportunities continue to be addressed as new programs and services become available to youth in North Bay.

Youth are the future leaders of our businesses, communities and our country, and as such, should be recognized, celebrated and heard. The stories that follow represent just some of the talented and motivated youth in North Bay. Those profiled here are a ll youth in North Bay, and are to be celebrated during Youth Week.

This is to invite you to participate in a celebration of youth in our community. Youth Week will take place May 2 to 8 2011.

In support of youth week the organizing committee is inviting you to take part in one of two ways:

Youth Programs and Services

We want to create a community resource that lists youth programs, services and special events. If you provide programs or services targeted at youth between the ages of 12 and 24 years of age, simply complete the attached form and return it to us. We wi ll then post the information on the City of North Bay website under a "Youth Programs and Services" link. The information will also be added to our Calendar of Events.

Please complete the Youth Week Program Form and send it to the Parks and Recreation department.

2011 Youth Week Activities

SKIING AND SNOW BOARDING – LAURENTIAN SKI HILL

Laurentian Ski Hill provides a place for teenagers to gather during the winter and hangout with friends while being active. The terrain park is especially popular with youth.

Trish Pecore - 705-494-7463
www.laurentianskihill.com

SUMMER CAMP/CAMP WABIKON

Traditional sleep-over camp with full range of land and water activities. International clientele. Youth leadership program for 16 & 17 year olds. Employment opportunities for 18 – 24 year olds.

Margaret Bernardo, Director - 416-483-3172
info@wabikon.com
www.wabikon.com

GIRL GUIDES OF CANADA

Meet on a weekly basis. We provide opportunities for fun, friendship and adventure for girls using age appropriate programs.

1-800-565-8111
www.girlguides.com

SUMMER HOOP CAMP

Youth summer basketball camp for kids with the emphasis on skill development and fun.

Jim Davidson - 705-497-9505
davidson88@sympatico.ca
www.summerhoopcamp.com

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTH BAY AND DISTRICT

Provides one-to-one mentoring services to local children and a variety of school based programs.

PHOTOVOICE

Photovoice is an opportunity for youth to express themselves creatively through photographs on topics most relevant to them.

Gabrielle Charlebois - 705-474-0626 x2338
gabrielle.charlebois@cityofnorthbay.ca
www.cityofnorthbay.ca

FREE SUMMER YOUTH CENTRES

An opportunity for youth to come and hang out with their friends, and make new ones, while participating in a variety of recreational activities and special events in a safe supervised area.

Gabrielle Charlebois - 705-474-0626 x2338
gabrielle.charlebois@cityofnorthbay.ca
www.cityofnorthbay.ca

FREE YOUTH CENTRES

For youth to come and participate in a variety of recreational activities in a safe and supervised environment with friends.

Gabrielle Charlebois - 705-474-0626 x2338
gabrielle.charlebois@cityofnorthbay.ca
www.cityofnorthbay.ca

FREE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Free program for youth who are interested in physical activity, health and wellness, food and nutrition, arts and culture and homework assistance.

Gabrielle Charlebois - 705-474-1400 x2376
gabrielle.charlebois@cityofnorthbay.ca
www.cityofnorthbay.ca

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT/TOBACCO CESSATION

Community Health Promotion with schools and families, engaging Youth groups and coalitions to promote making healthy choices; including Tobacco cessation/awareness, prevention and intervention.
**Ongoing program

Linsey Lair - 705-474-0626 x2338
lindseylair@nbdhu.on.ca
www.healthunit.biz

NIPISSING BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Minor basketball league running April – June for kids ages 9 – 18.

Tim Simpson - 705-499-1515
simpsont@nearnorthschools.ca

NORTH BAY BASEBALL ASSOCIATION

Baseball league running May - July for youth ages 4 – 16 years of age.

Chad Lacelle - 705-472-8782
www.northbaybaseball.ca

TIM HORTON’S SUMMER SKILLS BASKETBALL CAMP

Full day basketball camp in July for ages 7 -18.

Tim Simpson - 705-499-1515
simpsont@nearnorthschools.ca

SAILING LESSONS WITH SAILING THE SOUND

One week (5 day) day camp for individuals over 9 years of age. Learn basic skills up to instructor level.

Jan Caldwell - 705-474-0862 - 519-372-8288
jcquatics@gmail.com
www.jancaldwellaquatics.ca

WIIDING OUT DRUGS

Over the week, 1600 students will attend an educational event focused on substance misuse, injury prevention, and other healthy living messages. They will rotate through 16 – 17 informative “pit stops” leading to an interschool challenge on Nintindo Wii Mario Kart ® game.

Janet Humble - 705-474-1400
janet.humble@nbdhu.on.ca

YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Weekly rehearsals for playing in string orchestra.

MUSIC LESSONS (VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO AND DOUBLE BASS)

Weekly individual lessons and possibility of playing in ensembles.

GATEWAY STRINGS

Gateway Strings, a multi-generational, multi-level string orchestra.

COMMUNITY TRANSITION SERVICES

The transition from youth to adulthood is a particularly important yet complicated time. A Transition Coordinator can assist high school students with a developmental disability and their families to plan for their future and set personal goals.
**Year round

Celebrating Youth in our Community

Youth are the future leaders of our businesses, communities and our country and as such should be recognized, celebrated and heard.

We want to hear about youth that have impacted you or your organization in positive ways through leadership, service, or a particular achievement.

These stories will be published on the "Youth Programs and Services" link page in celebration of these accomplishments. If you know of a youth you wish to celebrate, refer to the information package attached, complete the form and return it to us at the address provided.

2011 Youth Week Nominations

Nominee: LAUREN LEVAY

Lauren is a responsible, caring individual who is dedicated to the commitments she undertakes.
Lauren has been matched with her Little Sister for a year now. She spends 2 to 3 hours a week with her little Sister doing fun activities and hanging out together.
Lauren has helped a child from our community reach her full potential and is a good influence as well. She has instilled positive social skills in her Little Sister as well and continues to believe in her.

Nominator	Position	Group
Bryanna Kelly, RSW	Case Worker – Professional Relationship	Big Brothers Big Sisters

Nominee: SANDRA BROWNLEE

Sandra Brownlee just recently turned 17. She is a responsible and dedicated young lady who has completed over 1000 community service hours. She is an experienced team leader both at her school and in her extracurricular activities. She is a dedicated worker with positive, high energy. Sandra received the Rotary Great Student Award this past February. This was an award recommended by her teachers for her volunteer work at school and in the community. In November of 2009 she received the YMCA Peace medallion for her volunteer work in the community.
Sandra has been involved with many groups. She began collecting milk bags so that sleeping mats could be made for children in Kenya. She initiated this program and was the Milk Bag coordinator until recently and this effort has continued to be carried on by other groups. Over one million bags have been collected in North Bay and area and hundreds of mats have been made and taken to Kenya and sent to other third world countries.
She is a YMCA swim instructor, and a unit helper on a weekly basis with a local Girl Guide group. She also assists at many of the guide camps and special events for Sparks, Brownies and Pathfinders as well as other service projects that these groups take on.
Sandra is a youth representative on The Trinity United Church board of directors and each Sunday she volunteers to work with the children during their Sunday school program as well as supporting many other church activities.
She is an active member of the Youth4Youth group with Patrick4Life that provide aids awareness and activities for elementary school students. She is a member of the Raider Dance Company at her school, plays in the Chippewa Band, is involved with Mustard Seed Production and recently attended the Ontario Education Leadership Camp.
Sandra was a member of the Youth Hope2Kenya team that volunteered in Kenya during the month of July last year. She raised all her own funds to go on this trip. She was an amazing addition to the team and raised $1000.00 on her own that she donated to help complete Veronica Home, an orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS. She continues to help the Hope2Kenya team with their ongoing fundraising efforts and speaks about her experiences whenever she can.
Sandra has made an incredible contribution to this community. Upon returning from Kenya last summer she has spoken about her experience many times to groups of adults and youth. She has encouraged people to appreciate what they have and to try and make a difference in their own community as well as to reach out to others around the world. She has impacted many people by her willingness to go the extra mile and is a role model for other youth by her commitment and caring for others. She leads by example and with all she does she continues to have good grades at school.

Nominator	Position	Group
Sandra Foster	Hope2Kenya Team Leader	Hope2Kenya

Nominee: STEPHEN HEPBURN

Steven Hepburn is a phenomenal 18 year old student who has made an incredible difference in his community, his school, his church and internationally. It is difficult to describe this “one man” dynamo in a few short sentences. Throughout his five years at Almaguin Secondary School, according to his teachers, his contribution to the culture and community of Almaguin has been phenomenal. His involvement is school wide and his leadership both in the school and the community is undeniable.
He is a driving force behind the formation and promotion of Almaguin’ s drama club. He has helped and organized the Annual Arts Night show case for the public. He has been a five year very active member of the “Me to We” team at the school and is active in promoting volunteerism among his peers and doing anything he can to help those less fortunate.
He is the current president of the Student Council and his confident involvement in numerous school activities and community involvement indicates that this is a young man who will go places and make a positive impact on the world. He has unique ideas to get others involved in making the community a better place to live.
Steven is always enthusiastic, positive and willing to put himself “out there” to spread his enthusiasm to others. He has grown his naturally curly blond hair long enough to be cut and donated to make wigs for kids with cancer.
Steven currently sits on the Near North District School Board as a student representative and takes his responsibilities very seriously.
Steven was chosen as one of sixty students from across the province to represent Ontario Students to the minister of Education. He participated in forums and discussions on different issues: from equality to student fees to curriculum.
He was a member of the National Youth Caucus 2010. He was chosen as one of one hundred students from across the country to be a part of Global Vision’s National Youth Caucus. He was involved in discussing G8 issues such as Maternal and Child Health and Terrorism and Nuclear Non-Proliferation.
He was an Ambassador for Canada to My Summit 2010. He was again chosen as one of 36 students from across the country to represent Canada to the youth summit that ran side-by-side of the G8 and G20 summits that were held in Huntsville and Toronto Ontario respectively.
Steven was the Valedictorian from Almaguin Highlands Secondary School graduating class of 2009-2010. He took another year of grade 12 to fulfill his year as Student Council President.
During July of 2010 Steven was involved in a humanitarian trip to Kenya with Hope2Kenya. Along with a team of 5 youth and 4 adults he participated in working with children and youth. Steven raised all the money necessary to fund his trip. He was very moved by this trip and has spoken extensively in his school, his church and throughout the North Bay region. When he returned from this trip he changed his goals and applied to Ottawa to take International Development. He received an early acceptance. Steven has been recognized as a student who has been an outstanding role model and exhibiting the qualities of good citizenship.
In 2010 he was named the East Parry Sound Regional Science Fair Gold Medalist for his project “Boys Gone Wild” a project uncovering the reasons why there are less and less male students going to University.
Steven is a youth Warden for St. Mark’s Anglican Parish where he is actively involved in making the Church more socially and globally aware. He is a Lay Reader and Eucharist Server, is responsible for grounds maintenance and upkeep of the church and cemeteries, and is a youth leader for the Youth@Emsdale program for children aged 5-12.
Steven’s efforts have had a positive impact on his school community, his local community and his church community. Through his leadership and his speaking ability, he has tried to make youth and adults alike, aware of their responsibilities in keeping our environment healthy and in realizing our responsibility to help others who are less fortunate at both a local, national, and international level. He is one amazing young man who continues to try to be the change he wishes to see in the world and lives by example.

Nominator	Position	Group
Sandra Foster	Hope2Kenya Team Leader	Hope2Kenya

Nominee: KATELYN SMYTH

Katelyn is an outstanding volunteer who has been mentoring her Little Sister for almost two years. She is bubbly, fun and committed.
Katelyn has committed to spending a few hours each week with her Little Sister. She is a great mentor who provides experiences to her Little Sister like reading and swimming.
Katelyn has made a difference in the life of a local child which in turn helps the community as a whole. Katelyn has instilled positive message and learning experiences to her Little Sister.

Nominator	Position	Group
Bryanna Kelly, RSW	Case Worker – Professional Relationship	Big Brothers Big Sisters

Nominee: SARAH ASHTON

Sarah has been matched with her Little Sister for almost two years. She is intelligent, warm-hearted and thoughtful. Sarah wants the best for everyone.
Sarah spends a few hours a week with her Little Sister. They love to cook, do crafts, spend time outside and laugh together. Sarah is a great Big Sister.
Sarah’s caring personality has taught her Little Sister that friendship is important. She has been there for her little Sister and has taught her so many life lessons, in turn learning just as much from her Little Sister.

Nominator	Position	Group
Bryanna Kelly, RSW	Case Worker – Professional Relationship	Big Brothers Big Sisters

Nominee: KENDRA ANN KENNEDY

Kendra is outgoing, “spunky”, very positive and full of life. She is someone who gives off a contagious zest for life and is genuine.
Kendra has been a volunteer with our agency for three years. She has facilitated numerous Go Girls, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds groups in schools in North Bay.
Go Girls! Is based on mentoring young girls aged 11-14 years. Topics discussed are self-esteem, body image, peers, decision making and relationships. Kendra has been an outstanding mentor to young girls in our community and an excellent ambassador for this program and has helped so many young girls confront challenging life experiences by providing a safe space to chat.

Nominator	Position	Group
Bryanna Kelly, RSW	Caseworker – Program Facilitator	Big Brothers Big Sister

Nominee: JEFFREY GOULET

Jeffrey is a highly motivated and selfless individual. At our school, he organizes and helps with many goodwill projects. Jeffrey is a polite, organized individual who always smiles and volunteers his time.
Jeffrey is involved in many community services or volunteer activities: North Bay City Food Drive in connection with the Kinsmen Club; Operation Christmas Child(raised over 125 gift boxes a year for poor children in Africa and third world Asia); participated in the planning, writing, and filming of movies and video clips to promote healthy living and physical activities for children; French and science tutor; planned activities and raised money for Smart Risk (the male leader for the committee that promotes safe and wise decision-making in teens); Master of Ceremony for North Bay’s Carnaval des compagnons; Master of Ceremony for the Sears Festival; 30 plus hours of volunteer work for Quand ça nous chante music festival in North Bay; chairing on the RÉDÉE, an organization trying to encourage francophone culture and language in North Bay; student trustee for CSC Franco-Nord representing ESC Algonquin; member of the student body (AGE); helped with the Christmas parade; over 150 hours of volunteer work in the community for a variety of organizations; student member of the ESC Algonquin parent’s committee.
Jeffrey’s work and volunteer hours have helped countless people grow in their cultural and linguistic development. His energy and dedication have benefited people near and far. He has helped the francophone community and individual students/individuals.

Nominator	Position	Group
Emily Weiskopf-Ball	Teacher	Franco-nord.ca

Nominee: SAMANTHA DUQUETTE

Samantha is a hardworking and dedicated member of the management team at Laurentian Ski Hill. She is willing to do “whatever it takes,” helping in all departments this year. She is a self-starter who sees something that needs doing and does it.
Samantha started as volunteer coordinator and assistant snow school director in the fall. She stepped up to Snow School Director when the position was vacated suddenly in mid-January. She managed this while completing a full-time school placement. She led staff of approximately 50 as well as 20 volunteers
Samantha is a positive role model to a staff of approximately 100 at the ski hill. Most employees are youth and she is leading by example. Her hard work and dedication was a significant factor in the success of the ski hill this year and the ski hill is an important asset for North Bay and Area.

Nominator	Position	Group
Trish Pecore	Manager	Laurentian Ski Hill

Nominee: SAM WEBB

Sam Webb is a young high school student, who has volunteered this past summer in the Heritage Gardener’s flower beds. Sam was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and eager to lend a helping hand.
Over the 2010 summer, we found Sam to be a very self-assured and mature individual who we could count on to be there, week after week, arriving on time and never leaving until the work was done. He displayed an admirable work ethic for someone so young. Sam volunteered with three different gardening teams at North Bay waterfront. He volunteered for 30 hours during the months of June, July and August.
This enthusiastic teen showed true team spirit. An excellent rapport was established by Sam with Heritage Waterfront Gardeners and we appreciated his willingness to work alongside us for hours, without complaint. Some of the tasks assigned were challenging and some were mundane; nevertheless, Sam was willing to jump in and help out. We all thought very highly of Sam and would recommend him without reservation for this important award. He was definitely a positive addition to our organization and to our community.

Nominator	Position	Group
Gisele Ferguson Monica McLaren	Heritage Gardener Coordinator	North Bay Heritage Gardeners

More Information

For more information regarding Youth Week activities please contact Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services at 474-0400.

For more information regarding Celebrate Youth please contact Cassie Quizon at the Business Centre at 474-0626 ext 2523.

Contacts

Parks, Recreation and Leisure, General Inquiries
(705) 474-0400, ext. 2329