The Cowichan
Neighbourhood House Association has various activities for Youth (ages 12
to 18) at the Old Chemainus Fire Hall. Below are some of the regular
activities. For a list of current events, please check our Activities Schedule
page.
During the school year,
we have senior youth (18-25) from Capernwray Bible
School, who help as part of their outreach program. This gives
our youth the opportunity to meet other young people from around the
world, learn from their example, and expand friendships. Canada
World Youth have also volunteered in our youth activities for
many years.
Youth Drop-in: Every week, we host popular
free "Youth Nights" on Thursdays (5:30-9:30), Fridays
(7:00-11:00), and Saturdays (7:00-10:00), where youth can play pool,
listen to music, play air hockey, foosball, use the computers or the
gymnasium, watch a movie, play Wii, cook
something up in the kitchen, or participate in numerous other activities.
Check out Fire
Hall Fridays (FHF) - a different theme or activity every
week!
- From Monday to
Friday, we also have an "Afterschool Drop In" (3:15-5:30) where youth can get
help with their homework or just use the facilities.
Youth
Workshops: We also organize educational workshops
according to needs we have identified in the community. We have done
workshops on depression and suicide, healthy sexuality, communication,
and life skills.
Youth
Leadership: WAY
(We Are Youth) is a youth leadership group that plans fun activities
& special events for youth (12yrs-18yrs) and the community around
them. Get your voices heard, and put your ideas into action! This is a
FREE program for youth who want to work towards planning, organizing, and
hosting a movie night, recreational activity, or a special event for
themselves and their peers in the Cowichan Valley. Earn volunteer
hours and a certificate of participation. Meetings held upstairs in the
Old Fire Hall on the second Friday of every month from 5:30-7 (dinner
included). Organized by Laura Chappell, Youth Outreach Programmer for
North Cowichan. For more information, contact: Youth Outreach at
250-246-4217 or youthoutreach(at)northcowichan.ca.
Fundraising: In
addition to fundraising to support their own programs and activities, the youth often fundraise for
other groups, such as seniors, forest fire victims, an orphanage in Costa
Rica, and others. The youth have also picked fruit for the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank, and made
jams, and collected clothing and other items for those in need.
Other activities: We also organize various field
trips throughout the year, and are working on creating video projects.
Other activities include dances and educational workshops. We are always
looking for exciting new activities, so if you have skills to share,
please contact us and become one of our star volunteers.
Youth Concerts: Our Youth
Concerts have attracted bands from as far away as Kelowna, Calgary and
Manitoba. Youth hire the bands, make the posters, advertise, run
concession, setup the PA system, decorate, clean up, and help the adult
volunteers with the dinner we always prepare for the bands. The concerts
are wildly successful, and the local RCMP are
among the biggest supporters, as the concerts provide alcohol-free fun
for local youths and are well managed. Watch our website for future
concert listings.
