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Youth Symposium

Adolescence can be an exciting but challenging time for many young people. Youth Symposium is a meaningful program that equips youth with confidence, inspiration, and empowerment to thrive – both now and well into the future!

Registration opened for the 2024 Youth Symposium on Friday, January 12. You can register now via this online form. Due to steep demand, please note we are usually fully booked within a few days. Here are the 2024 event dates:

  • Tuesday, April 16 – Galaxy Cinemas, 485 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph
  • Wednesday, April 17 & Thursday, April 18 – Galaxy Cinemas, 550 King Street North, Waterloo

Check out the 2024 Youth Symposium Program, with presentation descriptions! We look forward to welcoming over 4,000 grade 8 students and their teachers back to this event, after being cancelled since the start of the pandemic.

Youth Symposium 2023 photo

Youth Symposium is held on three consecutive days, reaching almost 1,500 grade 8 students and their teachers from Guelph and Wellington County on the first day, and an additional 3,000 attendees from Waterloo Region on the second and third days. Since it began in 2003, this unique program has welcomed more than 37,000 students!

Some of the best speakers around deliver powerful presentations on issues like bullying, personal accountability, substance abuse, resiliency, risk taking, and healthy dating. These are all important topics for the social, physical, emotional, and mental health of students, as they prepare to begin high school. Each presenter uses a different style and approach that adapts to a variety of learning styles, ensuring the day’s messages resonate with everyone.

The program is 100% accessible and affordable, thanks to our sponsors. Students remain with their class and dialogue is encouraged between themselves, teachers, and presenters. By teachers participating with their students, the learning can more easily continue back in the classroom.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of Youth Symposium over the 16 years it has run!  The program has been successful through the dedication of presenters, teachers, volunteers, and sponsors.

For more information about Youth Symposium, contact Linda Mark at [email protected].

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