Youth Facilitator in Training

Course Description

Our Youth Facilitator in Training Program is a unique program that runs during our Secondary Athletics or Secondary Arts courses.  The program is designed to prepare students to be Youth Facilitators in one of our Elementary-level courses.  The ideal candidate is someone who is interested in extending their leadership training and enjoys working with young people.

Please note, that students must have completed the OELC Secondary Athletics or Secondary Arts leadership course before applying to the YFIT program. Please note that completing our YFIT program does not guarantee placement as a youth facilitator but does put candidates in priority to be hired.

Leadership Development Sessions

YFIT leaders will be given specific leadership development sessions that are designed to prepare them for being a Youth Facilitator.  Leaders will engage in activities such as community builder activity development, debriefing techniques and inclusion activities.  The course will also provide opportunities to take part in specific scenario sessions that focus on common challenges and develop problem-solving skills related to conflict resolution, home sickness and general strategies for student success.  At the end of the week students will leave with a valuable resource handbook useful for their possible youth facilitation at OELC as well for their own context back at school and in their communities.

Additionally, during the program, students will continue having the opportunity to further work on their own skills in leadership styles, effective communication, group dynamics, organizational skills, and risk-taking in a non-threatening and encouraging environment and through well-planned experiential learning activities.

Sport and Arts Activity Sessions

The specific sport and arts activity sessions are intended to provide the students with leadership opportunities through peer support, skill development, and reflection on instructional techniques with the goal of gaining confidence to apply some of these strategies within their own context. YFIT students will be given special opportunities to shadow teacher facilitators and assist in implementing activities throughout the week.

Special Topics

 Round Table: Students will develop topics and then lead the discussion in this very powerful student voice session.  The goal of the session is to allow students to speak freely about their issues that greatly affect them.  At the end, students create 1-3 action statements that can affect change in the lives of themselves and others.

Special Activities:  These events are run by our amazing teacher facilitators.  Each event is designed to introduce students to something new and get away from the normal everyday events that could be running within their schools.  From orientation days to new intramural games, to a crazy gym riots and theme days, students will find new activities that will help enhance the participation at their school and in their community.