Youth

The Town of Whitby is committed to providing a community for youth to thrive and be successful for the future. We are a Platinum Level Youth Friendly Community that strives to integrate local youth into our activities and decision-making.

Get involved

Interested in getting involved or have questions about our youth initiatives? Contact your Youth Recreation Program Coordinator or call 905.655.2890.

Youth events

Stay connected with the latest youth events and Youth Rooms in your area. These events are designed to spark your interests and provide interactive fun if you are between the ages 12 to 18. Stay up to date with the latest facility closures and program notices by subscribing to our news feed. Stay tuned for any advance notices for cancellations.

Art Attack

The Town of Whitby in partnership with Station Gallery are looking for Whitby youth between 12-18 years of age who love art! Submit an online application by May 18 and drop off your art piece to the Station Gallery between May 25 and May 27 for a chance to have your artwork showcased in the Art Attack Event on June 17, 2021 at Station Gallery.

Youth Week in Whitby

Whitby Youth Week is an annual, week long series of high profile events and activities dedicated to youth. It takes place the first week of May, from May 1 to May 7 and celebrates youth culture, recognizes the positive contributions youth have made to our community and showcases services for youth.

Whitby Idol

We host an annual singing competition called Whitby Idol that showcases the vocal talents of local youth. Finalists will perform at the Whitby Idol Finale and other various Town events throughout the year.

Applications are now closed for the 2021 Whitby Idol. The deadline to apply was March 26, 2021.

Youth Rooms

If you are 12 to 18 years of age and live in Whitby, come check out our free Youth Rooms! View our Youth Event Calendar to learn when the next event is happening!

Youth Room activities

Youth Rooms are a great way to get connected with others for free, fun monthly events. Planned theme nights, special events, activities and workshops are just a few things hosted in the Youth Rooms! Each Youth Room features the following items for you to enjoy including:

Computers
Pool table
TVs
Variety of video games (PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch)

How to attend

If you're interested in a free Youth Room membership, bring a Youth Membership Application Form signed by a parent or guardian to a Youth Room location. A Youth Membership is required to attend and participate in Youth Room activities.

Youth Room locations

We offer three Youth Rooms. The Brooklin Community Centre and Library Youth Room is located at 8 Vipond Rd. in Brooklin. The McKinney Centre Youth Room(fueled by Booster Juice) is located at 222 McKinney Drive and the Henry Street Youth Hub is located in Henry Street High School at 600 Henry St.

Youth Room hours

Brooklin Community Centre and Library Youth Room hours:

Monday to Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (September to June)
Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (July and August)
Sunday: Closed
March Break: To be determined

McKinney Youth Room fueled by Booster Juice hours:

Monday to Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (September to June)
Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (July and August)
Sunday: Closed
March Break: To be determined

Henry Street Youth Hub hours:

Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
March Break: Closed
Summer Break: Closed

Youth Room programs

Join us for a variety of Youth Room programs that give you hands on experience in everything from cooking and afterschool sports to earning your babysitting certifications. Complete the online program registration to find a program that suits you. Be sure to check out a full list of our activities in the Town of Whitby Activity Guide.

Helpful youth resources

Are you looking for information about education, job skills, family services, or counselling? These resources provide helpful direction for youth, youth workers, parents and others working with young people.

211 Ontario

Find programs and services within your community by contacting 211 Ontario. Topics range from community programs and employment support to topics for newcomers, Indigenous Peoples and family services so you can find the help you need.

Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone is a service that you can call anytime (24/7) if you want to talk to. The services provides a safe, confidential space to have a conversation with a real person who listens to your needs.

LGBTQ

Pflag Canada is a Canadian organization that offers peer-to-peer support striving to help all Canadians with issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Education institution listings

The Ministry of Education is a great resource to find all Ontario education institutes that provides information about high schools in the province, graduation requirements, curriculum and Student Success programs. It also provides information about post-secondary education, where you can go to college and university, student financial assistance (OSAP), apprentice and skill trades available and how to transfer credits.

Transportation

View the Durham Region Transit to easily map your trips, look up the next bus times and find your destinations with an intuitive trip planner.

Volunteering opportunities

You can volunteer for our youth events by becoming part of the Whitby Youth Council.

Youth Health Membership

Sign up for a discounted Youth Health Club Membership at the Whitby Civic Recreation Complex if you are between the ages 14 to 17. Enjoy full access to the health club, pool, locker rooms and sauna.

Whitby Public Library programs

The Whitby Public Library offers programs that you can get involved in, as well as a Teen Advisory Group.

Youth Council

Are you a youth in our community? You can become a part of the Whitby Youth Council to work together and address the needs of youth in the community. You gain valuable experience and opportunities in the community to use for future endeavours, while obtaining your Community Services Volunteer hours.

How to get involved

If you are a youth in the community, come join us! You can apply online to get involved or contact us for more information. Applications are accepted all year, and reviewed in the summer months with new members added to the Youth Council in September.

Our priorities

The Whitby Youth Council focuses on these four priorities for youth in our community:

Youth events
Promotion of Youth Council and events
Outreach programming for youth
Recruitment of new volunteers for the Youth Council

Celebrating Youth Awards

The Whitby Youth Council has created the Celebrating Youth Awards that will be awarded to a youth between the ages 12 and 18 who demonstrate a commitment to community involvement as well as personal achievement. The award showcases the youth's selfless contributions and acts of goodwill including building community ties, involvement with civic issues and activities, or helping to create a safe and healthy community. The selected youth will be recognized at the Whitby Youth Council Celebrating Youth Awards Night.

Youth strategy

If you are a youth living in the Town, the Youth Strategy helps to ensure your future is supported. The strategy sets out to ensure municipal-run youth programs and services remain accessible to you. By considering your needs, the strategy helps to model what a community looks like for you and your family to live, work and play.

Strategy development

The Town approved the Youth Strategy that will guide the Recreation and Leisure Services for the Town from 2019 to 2023. It was developed through extensive engagement with local youth, the Whitby Youth Council and other community stakeholders.