Each year, to celebrate the youth of our community and their achievements, the City of North Vancouver participates in Youth Week BC in the first week of May.

Youth Week is an international celebration of youth held annually during the first week of May. It is a week of fun, interaction and celebration intending to build a strong connection between young people and their communities and to profile the issues, accomplishments and diversity of youth across the province.

Wherever Youth Week is celebrated, the idea behind it is the same: Young people are important and need to be recognized in a constructive and positive manner. Their contributions need to be acknowledged and celebrated. [bcyouthweek.com]

From May 1st to 7th, Youth Week in North Vancouver include activities and events such as BBQ’s, dances, free swimming, pool parties, popcicle giveaways, and rock paper scissors contests. Plus, May 4th is the final day for photography submissions to the Presentation House Gallery’s Hangups & Hangouts Photo Contest. You can download the full Youth Week schedule of activities & events for the City of North Vancouver here (.PDF).

City Fest 102 Youth Festival

This is what really got me excited; I just saw a poster for this in the door of the Youth Centre at the John Braithwaite Centre on my way home this evening.

On Saturday, May 9th, from 12-4pm, the skate park and parking lot at Centennial Theatre will be transformed into City Fest 102 – a youth festival complete with a skate contest with prizes and giveaways; bands, demos and talent shows (even a recording studio!); an interactive art project and art show; free food and more. Download the City Fest 102 poster (.PDF)

I couldn’t find details about how to get in on the skate contest, but if you want to, you should probably get this filled out and signed ahead of time if you’re under 19: skate contest waiver (.PDF)

If you whip in to the youth centre at John Braithwaite, you may still be able to pick up a coupon for a free popcorn and cotton candy (while supplies last, of course). They gave me one when I stopped in.

Youth in our community deserve to be celebrated more than they are. If you know anyone between the ages of 10 and 20, please send them this link. This sounds like it’s going to be a great time!