You’re young, and you’ve got the energy and ideas to make Campbell River an even better place.
Join your peers, and tell the city what matters to you.
The City of Campbell River’s Youth Action Committee is looking for open-minded, innovative and motivated youth (14 to 18 years old) who want their say on community issues.
The Youth Action Committee provides city staff and council a youth perspective on community issues like art, recreation, safety, transportation, culture, parks and the environment.
Last year, the Youth Action Committee (YAC) developed a Youth Engagement Strategy to provide the city with guidelines to involve youth in city projects. The strategy was adopted by council in June 2013 and commits the city to seek the opinion of youth on all projects and plans that have a public outreach component.
Other big projects involving YAC included ideas for revitalization of Campbellton and a Youth Centre for Campbell River.
For the past two years, the Youth Action Committee has raised funds at the annual Earth Week Film Festival to contribute to community organizations, as well as a $500 bursary for a graduating School District 72 student with an interest in the environment.
Last year’s bursary was awarded to Jacob Storback, a Carihi graduate who will study chemistry at Simon Fraser University.
“I plan to include environmental chemistry in my time table and I am most grateful for the support,” Storback says.
This year, YAC will help organize the Earth Week Film Festival, and will provide input on transportation improvements such as transit scheduling, bike rack locations, bike paths, and improved pedestrian routes. The committee will also provide input on local food initiatives, review park and recreation projects and much more.
“Being a part of YAC taught me a lot about speaking up and being able to successfully prove a point. It also gave me many opportunities to make change for youth in the community.
Anyone interested in sharing those same opportunities should highly consider joining the youth action committee,” says Claire Billings, co-chair of last year’s Youth Action Committee.
“The Youth Action Committee is a fun way to get involved in the community. It gives youth a say in City projects and decisions that inevitably mean our future as adults in Campbell River,” adds committee member Maneesha Bains. “I’ve gotten a chance to really be a part of the community and have had opportunities I never would have before. I’ve also met new people and learned about the types of jobs involved with working with the City.”
Another bonus: YAC participants develop valuable leadership and communications skills, and gain great work experience.
The committee launches again this fall with a workshop on Saturday, Nov. 1. It will meet twice per month on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. to discuss topics important to youth in Campbell River.
Application forms for the Youth Action Committee are available at Timberline and Carihi school offices, the Sportsplex and the Community Centre. Applications are due by Sept. 27 and can be submitted via e-mail until 11:59 p.m. or dropped off during regular hours at the above locations.
For more information, or to request or submit an application form, please email: amber.zirnhelt@campbellriver.ca or meghan.lawley@campbellriver.ca.