Youth Development Strategy: 2016-2020
In 2015 Saanich Parks and Recreation undertook an ambitious youth consultation which included 40+ focus groups in the community. Our goal was to re-engage young people, ages 11 to 18, and learn how we could better serve their needs.
The result was our recently adopted Youth Development Strategy and 5-Year Implementation Plan [PDF - 14.1 MB] which captures a variety of goals, actions and outcomes. This document will drive our Parks and Recreation programs and services for youth over the next five years.
Year 1 - Youth Development Strategy Report.pdf [PDF - 2 MB]
Year 2 - Youth Development Strategy Report.pdf [PDF - 2 MB]
Year 3 - Youth Development Strategy Report.pdf [PDF - 3 MB]
The following six priority areas were identified by Saanich youth through our engagement process:
- Increase Participation: we aim to decrease barriers to participation (cost, transportation...etc.) to get more youth active and engaged.
- Collaboration: we strive to work with our community partners to provide more and better opportunities for youth in Saanich.
- Outdoor Play and Risk: we will combat the "indoorification" of our youth - get out of their way and let them play!
- Social Wellbeing: we recognize the holistic nature of health and will focus on all aspects of supporting healthy active youth in Saanich.
- Youth Spaces: we will continue to provide quality, needed programming in our teen dedicated spaces (Flipside @ G.R. Pearkes, Upside @ SCP, and Backdoor @ GHRC)
- Communication: we see the need to tailor our communications to meet the unique needs of youth, and will continue to work to do so in an authentic way.
Testimony: From a youth participant
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"...staff would take me to the gym and work out with me and show me how to work out myself..."
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"...a skill that has saved my life.."
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"...(otherwise) I would definitely be on a different path in my life doing wrong..."