BC Youth Week 2016

Since its inception in 1995, BC Youth Week has grown to include over 30 municipalities and non-profit organizations throughout the province.

This internationally celebrated event aims to recognize the positive contributions youth make in our communities and to celebrate the valuable work youth and youth organizations do all year round.

The BC Youth Week Committee coordinates the logistics of Youth Week in BC; however, the youth themselves help to plan the actual events that take place in each area. This is a very unique aspect of Youth Week, as one of BC Youth Week’s goals is to encourage youth to take an active role in their education, recreation, and personal development.

BC Youth Week

There are dozens of events happening around the province, from May 1st to 7th. Join one in your community and spread the word!

Abbotsford

The Abbotsford Youth Commission has activities planned for every day of BC Youth Week, for ages 12-18 years old.

• Sunday, May 1st: $2 Swim and Skate at MRC and ARC 6:30pm-8:30pm
• Monday, May 2nd: Youth Week Celebration at MRC 2:30pm to 5:30pm
• Tuesday, May 3rd: URoc Awards and Ice Cream Social at ARC 3:30pm to 5:00pm
• Wednesday, May 4th: 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at Abby Senior 6:30pm to 10:00pm
• Thursday, May 5th: Floor Hockey with the APD at the Ag-Rec Building 3:30pm to 5:00pm
• Friday, May 6th: Acts of Kindness at Highstreet Mall 5:00pm to 7:00pm
• Saturday, May 7th: Dodgeball Mania at ARC- 8:00pm to 10:00pm

Burnaby

What: Youth Week Block Party
When: Saturday, April 30th 1:00 to 4:00pm
Where: Edmonds Community Centre
Details: Come out to the biggest youth celebration of the year. There is something for everyone: arts, games, open mic, live DJ, BBQ, prizes, and much more at the free event for 10-18 year olds.

Cowichan

What: Mental Health Fair
When: Monday, May 2nd from 11:30am to 12:45pm
Where: Cowichan Intercultural Society
Details: The Cowichan Secondary Action Team has a student-led action plan organizing a series of activities for Mental Health Awareness Week from May 2-5. To kick off the week, a Mental Health Fair will be put on full of agencies and organizations that provide support and resources for mental health wellness.

What: Speakers Series
When: Monday, May 2nd to Thursday, May 5th
Where: Cowichan Intercultural Society
Details: This Speakers Series will touch on topics such as: Depression, anxiety, food disorders, addictions, bi-polar disorder, and Schizophrenia.

Delta

When: Saturday, May 7th from 9:00pm to 10:30pm
Where: Sungood Recreation Centre, North Delta
Details: The weight room, pool, and gym are ready for a hardcore workout, relaxing soak in the swirl pool, a game of basketball, volleyball, or just a time to socialize. Celebrate Youth Week with pizza, refreshments, and swag giveaways.

District of North Vancouver

What: CityFEST
When: Saturday, May 7th from 11:00am to 4:00pm
Where: Lonsdale Skate Park
Details: Don’t miss the largest Youth Week event in the Lower Mainland! North Van has a great line-up of activities that includes live local youth music and a dance showcase on the big stages, free photo booths, local youth art show, BBQ and food booths, prizes and games. They will be ramping up the skateboard competition with the City’s 4th ever longboard race, registration at 9:00am, starting at Moody and Grand boulevard and ending at the skate park. Plus, the always explosive freestyle skate competition.

District of West Vancouver

There are several events throughout the week at the West Vancouver Community Centre (2121 Marine Drive).

• Youth Council and Youth Appreciation Awards: Monday, May 2nd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The Youth Council will present and the Youth Appreciation Awards will celebrate the achievements and dedication of outstanding youth and youth groups within the West Vancouver Community. The awards aim to recognize young people in the categories of Youth recognition, Youth Community Enhancement, and Outstanding Youth Team.
• Bar-B-Queer: Tuesday, May 3rd from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Join the ‘Whatever’ youth committee in the Youth Lounge at the WVCC for great food, karaoke, prizes, and more at their second annual Bar-B- Queer event.
• Beat the Heat: Wednesday, May 4th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Designed to bring together youth, police, teachers, youth workers, and others in the spirit of cooperation and fun. Youth and adults will work together to complete the different elements of the evening, such as an ‘Amazing Race style scavenger hunt and other games and cooperative challenges. Win some great prizes and enjoy a BBQ dinner.

The final event of the West Vancouver’s BC Youth Week festivities will be an International-Themed AYC Open House on Thursday, May 5th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Ambleside Youth Centre (1018 Pound Road). Join the Youth Services Team and international students from local schools for an international-themed party and open house at Ambleside Youth Centre. Complete with fun foods, traditions, and games from around the world.

City of Langley

Langley will have six events during BC Youth Week.

• Youth Overnighter/Kickoff Party: April 29th & April 30th at the Timms Community Centre (20399 Douglas Crescent).
• Youth Booth at Langley Walk on May 1st at the Timms Community Centre (20399 Douglas Crescent).
• Nerf Gun Battle on May 2nd at the Timms Community Centre (20399 Douglas Crescent).
• Laser Tag on May 3rd at Planet Laser.
• Lawn Bowling on May 4th at Langley Lawn Bowling.
• Open Mic Night on May 5th.

Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows

What: CRE8 Youth Arts Day
When: Monday, May 2nd from 3:00pm to 7:00pm
Where: ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge (11944 Haney Place)
Details: Register for workshops with arts industry professionals. Workshops include: Special Effects, Makeup, Voice Acting for cartoons, calligraphy, Chocolate Art, and Chinese Brush Painting. After the workshops, Youth Talent Night will be on the main stage at 7:00pm.

What: Youth Talent Show
When: Monday, May 2nd
Where: ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge (11944 Haney Place)
Details: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Youth Services has planned a Youth Talent Show to showcase some of the amazing talents youth have within their community. Youth Services has a longstanding partnership with the ACT in Maple Ridge and this is where the community can come out and support this awesome talent show.

What: RCMP Anti-Bullying
When: ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge (11944 Haney Place)
Where: Tuesday, May 3rd from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Details: Bullying presentation brought to youth by the Maple Ridge RCMP. Learn what to look for, how to respond, who to talk to, and how to help someone who is being bullied.

What: Summer Plan Slam
When: Tuesday, May 3rd at 7:00pm
Where: Greg Moore Youth Centre
Details: Youth brainstorm with staff to plan all the summer out trips. Pizza and snacks will be provided.

Other events in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows include:

• Mentorship BBQ on Wednesday, May 4th at the Thomas Haney Skate Park. The skateboarding mentorship program kicks off the outdoor skate and scooter park season with a BBQ celebration.
• Youth Open House on Friday, May 6th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at the Maple Ridge Library. You are invited to join the Youth Week Open House to learn about employment and volunteer opportunities in your community. This open house will connect you with employers, youth programs, volunteer opportunities, workshops, and much more.
• WHOMP on Saturday, May 7th at the Greg Moore Youth Centre. This is an all-nighter event jam packed with activities to keep you stuck on your natural high. Swimming, Obstacle Courses, and Trivia, will keep you up for hours. There will be prizes and pizza provided, as well as tons of fun.

New Westminster

The City of New Westminster will have three events for BC Youth Week.

• NWYS Awards Night on Wednesday, May 4th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Century House (620 Eighth Street).
• Youth vs. NWPD/Faculty Basketball Game on Friday, May 6th from 11:45am to 12:45pm at New Westminster Secondary School (835 8th Street).
• Spark Youth Talent Show on Friday, May 6th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Queensborough Community Centre (920 Ewen Ave).

Port Coquitlam

What: Floor Hockey Tournament
When: Monday, May 2nd from 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: Maple Creek Middle School (3700 Hastings St)
Details: Youth vs. RCMP vs. Firefighters. Register your team of five players, including goalie, and get ready for a night of floor hockey mania against heroes in our community. $5 registration fee per team. Available for all youth 11-18 years old. Prizes available. Note: Plastic blades only.

What: Youth Week Carnival Games
When: Tuesday, May 3rd from 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Where: Minnekhada Middle School (1390 Laurier Ave)
Details: Enjoy free carnival games and activitiesfrom lunchtime until school is out. Prizes and concession available.

What: Youth Week’s Great Poco Cook-Off
When: Wednesday, May 4th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm
Where: Kwayhquitlum Middle School (3280 Flint St)
Details: Students test each other’s culinary skills in this 2nd annual free cook-off challenge. Youth compete in teams in their school to see which little chefs will make it to the final head-to-head challenge. Meals will be judged by special guests. Please contact your child’s school for information on the after school cooking program.

What: 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
When: Friday, May 6th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Hyde Creek Gym (1379 Laurier Ave)
Details: Get your 3-on-3 basketball team together for this $5 round-robin tourney. Practice some show time moves at drop-in basketball from 7pm-10pm on Friday nights at Hyde Creek Gym.

Port Moody

What: Heroes with heart Exhibit Opening Reception
When: Thursday May 5 from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where: Port Moody Arts Centre

What: World Music Performance
When: Friday, May 6th at 7:00pm
Where: Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr)
Details: Tickets are $5.00 each.

What: Spark: Talent Showcase
When: Saturday, May 7th at 2:00pm
Where: Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr)
Details: Tickets are $5.00 each.

Surrey

Miss604 is a proud sponsor of the Surrey Youth Showcase on Saturday, April 30th from 10:00am-11:30pm at the Guildford Recreation Centre. This is a free, annual, city- wide event, featuring a youth basketball tournament, pool party, breakdance battles, hip hop showcase, selfie booth, DJ’s, resource tables, and lots of fun activities, prizes, food, and more.

A few more Surrey events for BC Youth Week:

• Board Games Bonanza on Sunday, May 1st from 12:00pm to 3:00pm at Historic Stewart Farm (13723 Crescent Road). Bring your BFF and your favourite board game to the Historic Stewart Farm for a fun afternoon. Sweet treats will be provided, along with Wi-Fi and lemonade.
• Movie and Smoothies on Tuesday, May 3rd from 2:30pm to 5:00pm at the Don Christian Recreation Centre (6220 184 Street). Make your own smoothie concoction and enjoy some movie time with your friends.
• Just for Girls Night on Wednesday, May 4th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Cloverdale Recreation Centre (6188 176th Street).
• Lunch Time BBQ on Thursday, May 5th from 10:30am to 11:45am at Clayton Heights Secondary (7003 188th Street). Enjoy a delicious FREE BBQ lunch outside in Clayton Heights Secondary. There will be music and tons of games.
• Youth Carnival on Friday, May 6th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre (13458 107A Ave). This evening will be a fun filled night full of carnival games. Free BBQ and prizes will be handed out.
• Movie in the Park on Friday, May 6th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Surrey Nature Centre (14225 Green Timbers Way). Join the Surrey Youth Stewardship Squad for a social evening and movie in the park.

Vancouver

• Skateboard Event on Sunday, May 1st from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Skate Plaza (Union and Quebec)
• Free Movie at Hillcrest Centre on May 3rd.
• Free Swim at Britannia Pool on Friday, May 6th from 8:00pm to 10:00pm. Free youth swim for all youth 11-18yrs old. Contests, prizes, games, and crazy staff. Britannia youth only swim time. Be ready to go in the water by 8:00pm. Swimsuits or clean, recently washed clothing can be worn. No shoes allowed.

What: Vancouver Youth Week Event
When: Saturday, May 7th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Where: Creekside Recreation Centre/Creekside Plaza
Details: Retro gaming, photo booth, live performances, prizes, carnival games, food trucks, community booths, basketball tournament, job fair prep, and much more.

Williams Lake

What: Youth Week Ball Hockey Tournament
When: Friday, May 6th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Where: Cariboo Memorial Complex
Details: For ages 10-18.

Follow BC Youth Week

More events will be added in the coming weeks. Connect with BC Youth Week on Twitter, and Facebook for more information.