Youth Programs
The City of St. John's is committed to offering interesting, challenging and inspiring programs to this generation. Engaging youth to participate in quality recreational programs will mold the youth of today into leaders of tomorrow. The Recreation Division is pleased to offer youth (12 to 18 years of age) in St. John's a variety of programs and service options for general interest, leisure and physical activity. An overview of programs offered for youth are listed below.
Summer Program Registration begins 7 a.m., Thursday, May 4, 2017
General Interest
| Course | Ages | Information | Registration |
| Ball Hockey | 12 to 16 years | Take part in a recreational ball hockey night, teams will be assigned on a nightly basis. Registration is required. | Not Currently Available |
| Beginner Guitar Lessons | 12 to 16 years | Learn the basics of guitar care and musical theory, while being introduced to chords and songs. Duke of Edinburgh eligible. | Not Currently Available |
| Pursuing Active Lifestyles Youth (PAL) | 15 to 21 years | This program aims to teach youth aged 15 to 21 years, who have mild to moderate developmental disabilities, the basic skills needed for active living. Youth will participate in recreation and leisure activities in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with caring leaders. |
Click here |
| Cook It Up! | 12 to 15 years | If your dream is to work in a professional kitchen, or you just love the idea of developing your cooking techniques, the time has arrived. This intense, inspiring cooking program builds the essential skills needed to conquer the kitchen, even if you've never boiled an egg before. Classes are taught by a professional chef and each day is a true hands on experience. | Summer 2017 August 21-23 Register Here |
| G.A.L's (Girls Active Lifestyles) |
12 to 16 years | An opportunity for girls to build confidence, self-esteem and develop their strengths in a supportive learning environment, surrounded by strong women role models. For ages 12 to 16 years | Not Currently Available |
| NEW Youth Wild For Animals |
12 to 15 years | Learn about veterinary medicine, practical ways you can help with animal emergencies and rescue while interacting with many different species of animals large and small. Participants will receive Basic Pet First Aid | Summer 2017 August 28-30 Register Here |
| NEW Youth Move It! |
12 to 15 years | Do you like to MOVE IT MOVE IT?! Join us for a fun filled week of adventure, action games and sports. | Summer 2017 August 7-11 Register Here |
| Youth and the Arts! | 12 to 15 years | Acting, improv, painting, mixed media, poetry, sculptures and so much for youth to get artistically creative outside the lines! | Summer 2017 July 31 - August 4 Register Here |
| NEW Fun on the Water |
12 to 14 years | Paddle your week away with canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding (SUP). Through fun interactive games like SUP water polo, youth learn basic paddling techniques. | Summer 2017 Course One: July 17-21 Course Two: July 31 - August 4 Register Here |
| NEW Outdoor Pursuits |
12 to 14 years | This program is deisgned to provide youth with a true outdoor experience. Develop skills and have fun in various outdoor pursuits including wilderness survival, outdoor cooking, fire building, boating and much more! | Summer 2017 June 26-30 & August 14-18 Register Here |
| NEW Camping Frontier |
12 to 15 years | This week is designed for youth to build skills and prepare for an end of the week true outdoor overnight camping experience. | Summer 2017 July 4-6 & August 22-24 Register Here |
| NEW Backcountry Ventures |
12 to 15 years | This week delivers an experience like no other giving campers a sense of adventure and discovery! Campers build skills of boat handling, outdoor cooking and back country camping all while having fun. End the week with an incredible overnight adventure of exploration and paddling. Duke of Edinburgh eligible. | Summer 2017 July 24-27 & August 7-10 Register Here |
| NEW Duke of Edinburgh's Internation Award, Advenure Journey Week |
14 to 16 years | This week is designed to provide youth completing their Bronze Award with the skills necessary to complete the Adventurous Journey portion of their award. It will include preliminary training, the bronze practice journey, and bronze qualifying journey. | Summer 2017 July 10-13 Register Here |
Youth Learn To...
These mini-programs let youth explore and try new skills. All courses are for ages 12 to 16 years.
| Course | Ages | Information | Registration |
| Animal Care | 12 to 16 years | Bring your hugging arms as you interact with some of the loveable cats and dogs in the shelter. Tour the shelter and hospital and learn about animal rescue, pet care, careers with animals and bite prevention. | Summer 2017 July 28 & August 16 Register Here |
| Architectural Design | 12 to 16 years | Learn how to build 3D graphical models of buildings using computer software. | Not Currently Available |
| Classic Cross Country Ski | 12 to 16 years | If you've never skied before, or have been frustrated skier, this course will help get you started on the right track. All equipment is provided. | Not Currently Available |
| Robotics | 12 to 16 years | Learn how programs work and how to program your own robot. All necessary materials provided. | Not Currently Available |
| Canoeing | 12 to 16 years | Learn and practice basic canoe skills through a variety of games and ac tivities. |
Not Currently Available |
| Kayaking | 12 to 16 years | Learn and practice basickayak skills through a variety of games and activities. | Summer 2017 August 14 Register Here |
| Archery | 12 to 16 years | Take aim and learn about archery basics: shooting techniques, equipment and safety aspects. Target shooting will fine tune your skills. | Summer 2017 July 25 & August 8 Register Here
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| Geo Caching | 12 to 16 years | Geo-caching is a high tech worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. While on a short hike locate hidden containers called geo-caches using maps and G.P.S. units. | Summer 2017 July 17 Register Here |
| Outdoor Cooking | 12 to 16 years | Tired of eating the same old camp food? Outdoor instructors will teach you how to prepare a menu, set up your cooking space and cook nutritious meals over the camp stove. We will discuss different stoves and fuel types as we cook a shared meal on a variety of stoves. Vegitarian options available. All equipment provided. | Summer 2017 July 31 Register Here |
| Stand Up Paddle Board | 12 to 16 years | SUP is the fastest growing water sport in North America. From lakes to oceans to rivers stand up paddle boards can get you where you want to go. During this full body workout we will teach you the basics to enjoyng a day on the water. Learn how to properly a nd safely get on and off your board in this 2 or 3 hour lessons. All equipment is provided. Come prepared to be in the water. |
Summer 2017 July 25 & August 8 Register Here |
| Fixed Seat and Slide Seat Rowing | 12 to 16 years | Experience rowing in both fixed and slide seat shells. Certified coaches of the Royal St. John's Regatta will provide instruction in fixed seat rowing techniques. Certified coaches in Olympic style rowing wil provide instruction in slide seat single and eight person shells. |
Summer 2017 June 29 July 4 July 11 July 25 Register Here |
| Indoor Cooking | 12 to 16 years | The kitchen becomes an action packed classroom where youth measure, chop, sift, saute and eat their way to new found knowledge, skills and attitudes towards food. | Not Currently Available |
| Art of Photography | 12 to 16 years | This course will guide you through creative approaches to photography including: use of light, composition, camera modes and settings. During a practical photo shoot focusing on technique, train your eye to see the extraordinary and gain a new perspective in photography. | Summer 2017 July 5 Register Here |
Youth Leadership
| Course | Ages | Information | Registration |
| Youth Inclusion Leader | 14 to 18 years | This course focusas on developing a leader's advocacy for inclusion in recreation and leisure settings. Topics to be explored are: Empathy, mentorship, multiculturalism, ability, gender identity and mental health. | Not Currently Available |
| Animal First Aid and Emergency Response | 14 to 18 years | This program will start at the Animal Care and Adoption Centre to learn about pracical ways you can help with animal emergencies and rescue. Then we continue the learning with a nature walk to North Bank Lodge for basic pet first aid. Along with animal interactions at both sites, participants will get a Pet First Aid video and certificate of completion. | Not Currently Available |
| X-cellent Leader | 12 to 14 years | X-cellent leader is a fun and interactive program with a focus on team dynamics and inclusion, self-esteem building and leadership skills. | Summer 2017 July 12- 14 & July 26-28 Register Here |
| Youth Childrens Leader | 14 to 18 years | Learn how to provide children with the opportunities for play and mastery while developing skills as caring leaders. | Not Currently Available |
| Youth Outdoor Leader | 14 to 18 years | A fun and adventurous program with a focus on training youth in leadership and outdoor skills. | Summer 2017 August 29-31 Register Here |
Youth Bus Tours *NEW
| Course | Ages | Information | Registration |
| Bell Island Adventure | 12 to 16 years | Experience why Bell Island has been called the most haunted island in all of North America! After the ferry ride we'll tour underground mines, and trek through a tunnel to Grebe's Nest Beach which is full of exposed layers of shale, siltstone and sandstone. We'll visit the lighthouse and you'll get a change to sit in musical icon Harry Hibbs' chair, and of course we'll enjoy some tasty food at lunch! | Summer 2017 July 20 Register Here |
Youth Drop In
An opportunity for youth to participate in a range of activities: sports, cooking, leadership development, guest speakers and team building. Recreation staff will be on site for supervision.
Courses offered:
- Southlands Community Centre
- Kilbride Lions Community Centre
- Shea Heights Community Centre (You-th Say)
- Shea Heights Community Centre (Girls Only)
- Paul Reynolds Community Centre ($3 Drop In Fee)
| Location | Dates | Day &Time | Ages |
| Southlands Community Centre | Jan. 10 to June 13
Jan. 12 to June 15 |
Tuesdays 6 to 8 p.m.
Thursdays 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
|
10 to 13 years 14 to 16 years |
| St.John Bosco School | Jan. 10 to June 13 |
Tuesdays 7 to 8:30 p.m. |
10 to 14 years |
| Shea Heights Community Centre | Jan. 11 to June 14 |
Wednesdays 6:30 to 8 p.m. |
12 to 16 years |
| Shea Heights Community Centre | Jan. 12 to June 15 |
Thursdays 6:30 to 8 p.m. |
10 to 14 years |
| Kilbride Community Centre | Jan. 9 to June 8 |
Monday and Wednesday 6 to 7:30 p.m. |
12 to 16 years |
| Paul Reynolds Community Centre | July 6 to August 24 | Thursdays 7 to 8:30 p.m |
12 to 16 years |
Medical Forms
If your child has any medical conditions please complete the appropriate form below. All forms must be submitted before the start of the program.
Allergy Package
Medical Package
Seizure Package
For more information please go to REConnect or email recreation@stjohns.ca or call 709-576-8631 or 709-576-8499.
If your child requires support or assistance to participate in the program, please call 709-576-4450 or email inclusion@stjohns.ca.