National Youth Week
Celebrate youth in our communities from May 1st - 7th!
Youth Week is an annual celebration of youth and their achievements and involvement in their communities, hosted annually by individual cities and towns during the first week of May.
The theme of Hamilton’s 2024 National Youth Week is promoting youth health as a means to improve the overall health of the community. The future of our communities are in the hands of our youth; by supporting them, we support a strong and healthy tomorrow for all.
YSAN’s Youth Week Committee has brought together members of our network to celebrate this year’s National Youth Week. Member organizations have planned lots of fun events; check them out below!
HAMILTON YOUTH WEEK EVENTS
HAMILTON YOUTH WEEK EVENTS
Healthy Me, Healthy You, Healthy Future Self Care
From May 1st to May 7th, our after school programs will be emphasizing "Healthy Me, Healthy You and Healthy Future," by prioritizing self-care strategies, activities and exercises in each of our program spaces.
ERC Youth Week Awards
Throughout this week, we will be providing youth awards to some of the exceptional ERC youth who have been doing a great in the community. Whether these youth have been demonstrating leadership, kindness, respect, thoughtfulness, resilience, etc. our goal is highlight each of them for their efforts.
When? May 1st - 7th Where? Eva Rothwell Centre, 460 Wentworth St N, Hamilton For Who? ERC youth
Youth Week Events
YMCA of Hamilton | Burlington | Brantford
The YMCA will be running a variety of events throughout Youth Week at the new Newcomer Youth Center location. There will be the opportunity for youth to participate in mindfulness sessions, how to adult sessions, recreational activities and more. We are planning to do a week long celebration with one event per day!
When? May 1st - 7th Where? Newcomer Youth Center, 420 Crerar Dr, Hamilton For Who? Youth ages 13 to 24
2nd Annual Dundas Dinner Dash
The Dundas Dinner Dash is a Dundas-wide scavenger hunt that connects youth at Routes to local businesses and provides an opportunity for youth to learn more about their community. Participating youth join the Dash by collecting clues and travelling King Street alongside Routes staff. Youth participants will solve the clues to pick up groceries and other food items that, when assembled, become a full dinner for Routes youth to enjoy. The Dundas Dinner Dash features local trivia and provides youth the chance to work collaboratively to solve a series of puzzles.
When? May 1st, 3:30pm Where? 10 Market Street South, Dundas For Who? Youth ages 8 to 19
Yoga & Meditation Session
A yoga instructor from Modo Yoga will be coming in to teach a class to our youth!
When? May 1st, 4:30pm Where? Youth Centre at Centre Mall, 1259 Barton St E, Hamilton (Storefront beside Ardene) For Who? Youth ages 13 to 24
Creative Wellness Playground: Hopscotch Collage & Journaling Fun
Arts For All, as part of its After School Arts Program, will bring a vibrant celebration of youth health and creativity during National Youth Week! Our event offers an exciting opportunity for children and youth to engage in artistic expression while promoting physical and mental well-being.
Activities Include:
Hopscotch Canvas: Participants will have the chance to create individual collages using a variety of materials and drawings. These unique creations will be laminated and arranged on the floor to form a colorful hopscotch game. Through this activity, children can showcase their individuality, creativity, and inventiveness while enjoying a healthy and active game.
Journal or Activity Book: Attendees will have the opportunity to decorate and customize their own journals. From choosing pages with puzzles, mental health activities, coloring pages, and healthy habit trackers to designing personalized covers, participants can unleash their creativity and focus on various aspects of youth wellness.
When? May 1st, 3:30pm Where? The Gilkson Club Youth at Today's Family, 44 Greendale Drive, Hamilton For Who? Arts For All youth
When? May 2nd, 3:30pm Where? Routes Youth Centre Youth, 10 Market St S, Dundas For Who? Arts For All youth
Make Your Own Snack Board
Join us at our Youth Centre to make your own snack boards!
When? May 2nd, 4:00pm Where? Youth Centre at Centre Mall, 1259 Barton St E, Hamilton (Storefront beside Ardene) For Who? Youth ages 13 to 24
2865 Army Cadets Open House
Come by and see what Army Cadets has to offer! Army Cadets is a free program for youth 12-18. Cadets get to experience fun activities like rock climbing, mountain biking, and camping.
When? May 2nd, 6:30pm Where? John Weir Foote Armoury, 200 James St N, Hamilton For Who? Youth ages 12 to 18 and their families
Healthy Me, Healthy You Jog
Our Fitness Friday group will be going on a jog to the Wentworth stairs, where they will complete a few laps going up and down and finish by walking back to the Eva Rothwell Centre afterwards.
When? May 3rd Where? Eva Rothwell Centre, 460 Wentworth St N, Hamilton For Who? ERC’s Fitness Friday Group
Picnic in the Park
Join us for a fun picnic to celebrate youth week! There will be refreshments and outdoor games!
When? May 3rd, 5:30pm Where? Meadowlands Community Park For Who? All youth
Pottery Class at Play with Clay
Youth will have the opportunity to join us on a field trip to Play with Clay on Locke St. for a pottery sculpting class!
When? May 3rd, 5:30pm Where? Leaving from the Youth Centre at Centre Mall on Barton with transportation to Play with Clay For Who? Youth ages 13 to 24
Youth Empowerment Fair and Seedling Sale
Green Venture & Youth Power for Climate Justice
We will be hosting an event focused on empowering youth and involving them in the community, as well as showcasing and supporting the amazing projects already being done by Hamilton's youth. Community youth led organizations will have their own booths, and there will be youth from our own programs showcasing what they have done to improve our community.
Our youth-led branch off, Youth Power for Climate Justice, will be organizing a seedling sale fundraiser, with all profits going towards aiding our work as an organization and empowering youth to take action on the climate crisis.
When? May 4th, 9:00am Where? EcoHouse, 22 Veevers Dr, Hamilton For Who? All youth
Youth Week Picnic
We are welcoming youth to join us on a picnic in Andy Warburton park where we will enjoy snacks, enjoy nature, and play some fun activities!
When? May 6th, 4:30pm Where? Leaving from the Youth Centre at Centre Mall on Barton and walking to Andy Warburton park For Who? Youth ages 13 to 24
Paint Night with Pizza
Youth will have the opportunity to create a beautiful painting while making connections and enjoying some pizza!
When? May 7th, 4:00pm Where? Youth Centre at Centre Mall, 1259 Barton St E, Hamilton (Storefront beside Ardene) For Who? Youth ages 13 to 24
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS
Follow us @HamOntYouth for Youth Week updates and to enter our social media contests!
#HealthyYou
Screenshot the template, fill in the blanks, and share to your Instagram stories with #HamOntYouthWeek & #HealthyYou and by tagging @HamOntYouth
Enter between April 24th to 30th for the chance to win a Visa Gift Card
Take a Trek With Your Pet!
Youth and their families are encouraged to participate in promoting healthy communities. Take a picture or video of yourselves walking your pet(s), email it to the ERC or post it online and tag them @evarothwellcentre for them to share.
#HealthyMe
Share one of your self-care activities by adding a photo to our Add Yours album on Instagram stories! Include #HamOntYouthWeek & #HealthyMe and tag @HamOntYouth
Enter between May 3rd to 6th for the chance to win a Visa Gift Card
#HealthyFuture
Post your experience from a Youth Week event with #HamOntYouthWeek & #HealthyFuture and by tagging @HamOntYouth to be entered in a raffle at the end of the week!
Enter between May 1st to 8th for the chance to win 1 of 2 Visa Gift Cards
Healthy Living Tips
Find tips and strategies to manage your mental health on Healthy Youth Network’s Youth Portal!
