Routes Youth Centre offers a full schedule of summer programming, including trips, a unique babysitting course, ongoing drop-in programs and more, helping provide local youth with a sense of pride and contribution to their community at a particularly important time.
Julia Elzinga, a youth worker at the 10 Market St. West centre in the Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre, said the summer months can leave local youth with less to do because school and many extracurricular programs are shut down until the fall.
“What I find great about Routes is that nearly all of our programming is free, unlike any summer camp,” Elzinga said. “We also offer drop-in, air-conditioned space for older high school aged youth, something that is otherwise lacking as they are often too old or uninterested in summer camp.”
In addition to multiple afternoon and evening non-structured drop-in times, Routes offers several special programs and events throughout July and August — a period of time that can be boring, or even dangerous for youth.
“At Routes we attempt to foster a sense of pride for our community in various ways, as well as providing a more ‘acceptable’ form of entertainment,” Elzinga said.
According to Kim Ann Laush, associate dean for community studies at Mohawk College, that’s key to developing young people into constructive members of a community.
“Speaking from my own experience working as a Child and Youth Care worker in children’s mental health, it was always important to have structure for the youth throughout the summer months,” Laush said.
She said opportunities for youth to engage in positive ways with each other in the community allowed them to work on their social skills.
“It was during times when lack of structure was provided that the youths could engage in risky behaviour, which could lead to a crisis situation,” Laush said. “Youth need to feel a sense of belonging and when engaged positively in their community, it also helps to instil a sense of pride and contribution, furthering a sense of belonging.”
She said creating that sense of community, belonging and ownership furthers the desire of youths to maintain a positive environment around them — possibly preventing things such as youth vandalism in the community.
“This type of programming for local youth also builds confidence, self-esteem, (and) friendships; providing youth with opportunities to be active and engaged in meaningful ways,” Laush said.
The Routes babysitting course is offered in three separate sessions, including the weeks of July 8, July 22 and Aug. 12.
“The babysitting course is unique in that it includes a visit from the local police and fire department, as well as a practical visit to a local daycare to observe and interact with children,” Elzinga said. “The course is for ages 11 and up and costs $50 with subsidies available.“
Routes is also organizing seven trips this summer. Most are free, but financial assistance is available when needed. Elzinga said upcoming trips include Wild Waterworks, Emerald Lake, a drive-in movie theatre, bowling, Flying Squirrel Trampoline park, and Gage park.
“We are still looking to get some of the trips sponsored by local businesses so more youth can join us,” Elzinga said.
Times have been scheduled for youth to help build the Routes float for the Cactus Festival Parade.
There will also be a variety of movie nights, geocaching, science experiments and a Routes Amazing Race.
Detailed calendars with more information on all events and trips are available on the Routes website at routesyouthcentre.ca.
Routes staff can help connect local youth to a variety of other services, programs and support.
“We also offer employment help, in terms of finding and securing employment, resume and interview help, and even volunteering opportunities,” Elzinga said. “We are an easygoing, safe, accessible, and affordable place for youth to hang out all year long, but especially during the summer.”
Routes Youth Centre offers a full schedule of summer programming, including trips, a unique babysitting course, ongoing drop-in programs and more, helping provide local youth with a sense of pride and contribution to their community at a particularly important time.
Julia Elzinga, a youth worker at the 10 Market St. West centre in the Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre, said the summer months can leave local youth with less to do because school and many extracurricular programs are shut down until the fall.
“What I find great about Routes is that nearly all of our programming is free, unlike any summer camp,” Elzinga said. “We also offer drop-in, air-conditioned space for older high school aged youth, something that is otherwise lacking as they are often too old or uninterested in summer camp.”
In addition to multiple afternoon and evening non-structured drop-in times, Routes offers several special programs and events throughout July and August — a period of time that can be boring, or even dangerous for youth.
“At Routes we attempt to foster a sense of pride for our community in various ways, as well as providing a more ‘acceptable’ form of entertainment,” Elzinga said.
According to Kim Ann Laush, associate dean for community studies at Mohawk College, that’s key to developing young people into constructive members of a community.
“Speaking from my own experience working as a Child and Youth Care worker in children’s mental health, it was always important to have structure for the youth throughout the summer months,” Laush said.
She said opportunities for youth to engage in positive ways with each other in the community allowed them to work on their social skills.
“It was during times when lack of structure was provided that the youths could engage in risky behaviour, which could lead to a crisis situation,” Laush said. “Youth need to feel a sense of belonging and when engaged positively in their community, it also helps to instil a sense of pride and contribution, furthering a sense of belonging.”
She said creating that sense of community, belonging and ownership furthers the desire of youths to maintain a positive environment around them — possibly preventing things such as youth vandalism in the community.
“This type of programming for local youth also builds confidence, self-esteem, (and) friendships; providing youth with opportunities to be active and engaged in meaningful ways,” Laush said.
The Routes babysitting course is offered in three separate sessions, including the weeks of July 8, July 22 and Aug. 12.
“The babysitting course is unique in that it includes a visit from the local police and fire department, as well as a practical visit to a local daycare to observe and interact with children,” Elzinga said. “The course is for ages 11 and up and costs $50 with subsidies available.“
Routes is also organizing seven trips this summer. Most are free, but financial assistance is available when needed. Elzinga said upcoming trips include Wild Waterworks, Emerald Lake, a drive-in movie theatre, bowling, Flying Squirrel Trampoline park, and Gage park.
“We are still looking to get some of the trips sponsored by local businesses so more youth can join us,” Elzinga said.
Times have been scheduled for youth to help build the Routes float for the Cactus Festival Parade.
There will also be a variety of movie nights, geocaching, science experiments and a Routes Amazing Race.
Detailed calendars with more information on all events and trips are available on the Routes website at routesyouthcentre.ca.
Routes staff can help connect local youth to a variety of other services, programs and support.
“We also offer employment help, in terms of finding and securing employment, resume and interview help, and even volunteering opportunities,” Elzinga said. “We are an easygoing, safe, accessible, and affordable place for youth to hang out all year long, but especially during the summer.”
Routes Youth Centre offers a full schedule of summer programming, including trips, a unique babysitting course, ongoing drop-in programs and more, helping provide local youth with a sense of pride and contribution to their community at a particularly important time.
Julia Elzinga, a youth worker at the 10 Market St. West centre in the Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre, said the summer months can leave local youth with less to do because school and many extracurricular programs are shut down until the fall.
“What I find great about Routes is that nearly all of our programming is free, unlike any summer camp,” Elzinga said. “We also offer drop-in, air-conditioned space for older high school aged youth, something that is otherwise lacking as they are often too old or uninterested in summer camp.”
In addition to multiple afternoon and evening non-structured drop-in times, Routes offers several special programs and events throughout July and August — a period of time that can be boring, or even dangerous for youth.
“At Routes we attempt to foster a sense of pride for our community in various ways, as well as providing a more ‘acceptable’ form of entertainment,” Elzinga said.
According to Kim Ann Laush, associate dean for community studies at Mohawk College, that’s key to developing young people into constructive members of a community.
“Speaking from my own experience working as a Child and Youth Care worker in children’s mental health, it was always important to have structure for the youth throughout the summer months,” Laush said.
She said opportunities for youth to engage in positive ways with each other in the community allowed them to work on their social skills.
“It was during times when lack of structure was provided that the youths could engage in risky behaviour, which could lead to a crisis situation,” Laush said. “Youth need to feel a sense of belonging and when engaged positively in their community, it also helps to instil a sense of pride and contribution, furthering a sense of belonging.”
She said creating that sense of community, belonging and ownership furthers the desire of youths to maintain a positive environment around them — possibly preventing things such as youth vandalism in the community.
“This type of programming for local youth also builds confidence, self-esteem, (and) friendships; providing youth with opportunities to be active and engaged in meaningful ways,” Laush said.
The Routes babysitting course is offered in three separate sessions, including the weeks of July 8, July 22 and Aug. 12.
“The babysitting course is unique in that it includes a visit from the local police and fire department, as well as a practical visit to a local daycare to observe and interact with children,” Elzinga said. “The course is for ages 11 and up and costs $50 with subsidies available.“
Routes is also organizing seven trips this summer. Most are free, but financial assistance is available when needed. Elzinga said upcoming trips include Wild Waterworks, Emerald Lake, a drive-in movie theatre, bowling, Flying Squirrel Trampoline park, and Gage park.
“We are still looking to get some of the trips sponsored by local businesses so more youth can join us,” Elzinga said.
Times have been scheduled for youth to help build the Routes float for the Cactus Festival Parade.
There will also be a variety of movie nights, geocaching, science experiments and a Routes Amazing Race.
Detailed calendars with more information on all events and trips are available on the Routes website at routesyouthcentre.ca.
Routes staff can help connect local youth to a variety of other services, programs and support.
“We also offer employment help, in terms of finding and securing employment, resume and interview help, and even volunteering opportunities,” Elzinga said. “We are an easygoing, safe, accessible, and affordable place for youth to hang out all year long, but especially during the summer.”