Youth to Sea
A hands-on learning program that unites youth to make a difference towards ocean conservation.
What is Youth to Sea?
At Youth to Sea, our mission is to coach youth (ages 15-18) and give them opportunities to develop their problem-solving, critical-thinking and communication skills. By engaging with their local communities through learning journeys, soft skills workshops, and Ocean Service Projects, we help equip young people with the skills, tools and strategies they need to be active decision-makers in their local, regional, and national communities.
Through this 8-month program youth will engage with their local community to make a connection between themselves, their community, and our oceans. It brings together 200 youth from Vancouver, Victoria, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax to provide them with opportunities to develop their ocean conservation knowledge and personal skills. It is a hands-on service-learning program that has three main components:
- Immersive learning journeys that help the youth explore their connections to nature and science-based career paths;
- Skill building workshops that work with the youth to improve on their soft skills;
- Ocean Service Projects will give the youth an opportunity to create or be a part of their own service project in their community.
Students will receive coaching calls with program leaders to support them throughout their time in Youth to Sea. By the end of this program the students are expected to complete up to 120-service hours that will be logged throughout the 8-months. This is a fully funded program with no cost to program participants.
After completing the Youth to Sea program, I felt a lot more prepared to enter the world outside of school, and I felt a lot more knowledgeable on career paths in the conservation industry.
Evie
Youth to Sea Ambassador, 2021
What can you expect?
Participants will feel empowered with relevant experiences and skills to make changes in their own lives, communities, and environments. This opportunity will provide a gateway for youth to channel their interests for oceanic and aquatic environments into professional pathways or studies in marine and environmental conservation and stewardship.
Through monthly excursions participants will have in-depth and meaningful interactions with marine and aquatic biodiversity throughout Vancouver. This program aims to inspire participants to protect oceans and our environment through hands-on experiences and projects.
Youth will be able to attend monthly workshops that help develop their soft skills such as public speaking and problem solving. Through our excursions we will also be working hands-on with members of our community, allowing youth to make meaningful connections with a diverse set of partners.
Featured Service Projects
Explore all projectsService projects are an opportunity to create or participate in an action-based initiative or invention that addresses an ocean issue in your community. You can do one large service project, or multiple smaller events. In order to complete 120 hours, you will likely need to plan and complete multiple outreach opportunities.
The greatest part is that I became aware that there are plenty of jobs out there that would allow me to be out on the water, constantly researching and observing marine life. I never considered it before, but now I have been exposed to a new job possibility that I will definitely consider as I begin applying for post-secondary schools.
Jenna, 17
Youth to Sea Ambassador, 2021
Youth Stories
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Partners
Youth to Sea is funded in part by Canada Service Corps, a national movement that empowers youth aged 15–30 to gain experience and build important skills while giving back to their community. Learn more at Canada.ca/CanadaServiceCorps.
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