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Youth Symposium

Our 2025 Youth Symposium was an amazing success! A total of over 3,000 grade 8 students and their teachers came from nearly 50 local public, Catholic, and independent schools for the 18th annual edition of this unique program. Learn more about what took place!

Check out our 2025 Youth Symposium brochure for the list of speakers and what their topics were!

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!

2025 Youth Symposium webpage image

Youth Symposium is held on three consecutive days, reaching over 800 grade 8 students and their teachers from Guelph and Wellington County on the first day, and an additional 2,200+ attendees from Waterloo Region on the second and third days. Since it began in 2003, this unique program has welcomed more than 40,000 students!

Some of the best speakers in the country for youth audiences deliver powerful presentations on issues like bullying, personal accountability, substance abuse, resiliency, risk taking, and healthy dating. These are all valuable messages for the 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.

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.

2025 Youth Symposium Sponsors

Thank you to our 2025 sponsors for making this program possible and affordable for so many local youth!

EVENT SPONSOR

SPEAKER SPONSORS

VENUE & A/V SPONSORS

FOOD SPONSORS

Dominos logo - April 2025
Stanley Park Optimists logo - April 2025

We are grateful for everyone who has been part of Youth Symposium over the many editions 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 linda.mark@childwitness.com.

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