May 1 to 7 is National Youth Week and young people in District 69 will be recognized and celebrated for all the positive things they do.
RDN recreation programmer Kelly Valade said events locally have been created by youth for youth and there are quite a few free community events to mark youth week.
“The RDN believes that collaborative community partnerships with the common goal of enhancing youth recreation opportunities result in infinite possibilities for our young people.”
She said there are many community organizations and members who believe in celebrating youth, their accomplishments and their contributions, and they will be holding events all week long.
Ballenas Secondary School is having a fun event today. The Youth Week event will be directly after school and activities will include an epic battle between DJ Killawattz and DJ B-Chuk who will be throwing down some beats.
As well, there is a four-man tug-o-war, a free barbecue sponsored by the City of Parksville and inflatable Hamster Balls. There will also be a street hockey game with teens versus off-duty local RCMP members. The fun starts directly after school in the multipurpose room and goes until 5 p.m.
The town of Qualicum Beach is holding an appreciation barbecue at 11:15 a.m. in front of Town Hall on May 1.
On Friday, there will be a free teen swim at the Ravensong Aquatic Centre from 7 to 9 p.m. featuring popular DJ All Good.
At the McMillan Arts Centre there will be a youth art exhibition opening reception from 7-9 p.m. on May 2.
On May 5, the SOS is hosting a free babysitters training course.
On May 6 from 5-7 p.m., the Career Centre is screening One Week Job. The movie, featuring Sean Aiken’s journey doing 52 different jobs in one year, will be followed by a Skype chat with the inspirational young man who tried every job he could.
The documentary film follows Aiken’s travels across Canada and the US as the college graduate tried to find the answer to the question: What should I do with my life?
The evening includes free drinks and pizza.
On May 6, Kwalikum Scondary School is hosting an event from 3-5 p.m. that will include some spirited games.
There is a dodgeball tourney being hosted by the Parksville Youth Ministry at Parksville Baptist Church on May 7 at 7:30 p.m.
An ultimate Frisbee tournament hosted by the Family Resource Association goes from 6-7:30 p.m. at Ballenas High School May 7.