Red Deer County Community Services is proud to partner with Youth HQ to offer rural programs for youth. The organization has been incredibly active across Red Deer County throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boys & Girls Club of Red Deer & District, a program of Youth HQ, strives to empower children and youth to develop confidence and skills for life through knowledge, healthy relationships and quality experiences. Since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic in March 2020, youth in Red Deer County were offered after-school programs, canoe trips, archery days, summer day camps and a ski/snowboard program. Activities were provided either free or at a reduced cost to County residents to ensure that youth could participate without barriers.
In 2020, youth from the Boys and Girls Club in Benalto and Spruce View were fundraising for an exchange with the Hamilton, Ontario Boys and Girls Club. The trip was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID-19, but the resilience of the youth has benefited the community. The youth chose to put their fundraised dollars toward Christmas-themed activity kits to be distributed to families. Red Deer County matched their contribution to support the efforts of the philanthropic youth, in a time that has been very difficult for everyone. The leadership shown by these youth exemplifies the strength and compassion that these programs help to instill in participants.
With in-person programming on hold, online programming has been running throughout December and January. There are weekly club activities, themed programs such as Kid Food Nation and Made By You, as well as Raise the Grade, a virtual program designed to support high school youth in their studies. Youth HQ was also able to offer a 5-week ski program with 22 County Youth in attendance. Creativity and perseverance has helped to provide safe and adaptable programming opportunities.
If you are interested in participating, there are Boys and Girls Club after-school and evening programs in Benalto, Bowden, Delburne, Springbrook and Spruce View. Connect with them on social media to see what is new and how you can participate in both in-person and current virtual based programming.