NVRC Youth Centres are safe and inclusive spaces

The atmosphere is relaxed at NVRC youth centres. Both Delbrook and Harry Jerome facilities are furnished with comfortable couches and amenities like foosball, table tennis, pool, and video games. Trained youth leaders provide supervision, friendship and mentorship to teens and pre-teens, who are welcome to drop in during open hours. 

High school students from Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School in North Vancouver are learning lessons for a lifetime during weekly workouts at Ron Andrews Community Recreation Centre.  It’s all part of the Active Living Program, led by Neil Pinkerton, the school’s director of counselling services.

 “I think this program is amazing,” Neil said.  “I have watched the students transform into healthier, happier, more productive people as they experience how exercise improves their physical and emotional wellbeing. They inspire me with their commitment and enthusiasm.”

1. Go on a self-guided art tour – outdoors and free
   North Vancouver is home to over 150 unique, public art installations that can be found in community plazas, municipal buildings, commercial developments, parks and nature trails. Go on a walking or biking treasure hunt to admire them all. Here’s a full listing plus map.
2. Take a hike!
   

Sometimes, it’s a headache having to navigate through all the links and websites that pop up on your computer or phone minute by minute. They want your attention. They want to sell you this or that. As an artist and mom, I thought I’d offer a little help by putting together a list of internet links to materials and information that might be useful to you in different areas of the arts.

Why fit in when you were born to stand out? 
– Dr. Seuss

The Capilano Youth Advisory Committee (CYAC) meets once a week after school at Delbrook Community Recreation Centre. The group of secondary school students comes together to create, plan and coordinate special events for youth and families in the community. Meetings are chaired by Chill Yin Lee, Recreation Programmer and Youth Coordinator for North Vancouver Recreation & Culture. The youth members are responsible to take meeting notes, create and coordinate events and be accountable to their commitments. 

The Power of Youth
“The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible, and achieve it, generation after generation.” – Pearl S. Buck

Times have changed.

Getting started as a volunteer
Kevin, a grade 10 student at Handsworth Secondary School, first learned about the volunteer opportunities with NVRC at his school when NVRC’s Volunteer Programmer, Meh Najak gave a presentation.  In the past three years he has more than fulfilled his school’s requirements for volunteer hours and he keeps on volunteering because, “It’s so much fun!”

Volunteering with NVRC
Tierra’s been a volunteer with NVRC for over two years and has helped out with spring break camps, birthday parties, special events and most recently the after school Play Program at Delbrook Community Recreation Centre. 

I have lived on the North Shore my entire life and I have enjoyed, over that time, being involved in the community. I am amazed learning every day about new programs that are offered by North Vancouver Recreation and Culture (NVRC) that are not only fun, but better individuals and better the community.