For the 2024 Youth Summit, Ontario Nature, the Indigenous Environmental Institute at Trent University, Plenty Canada, and Walpole Island Land Trust will be partnering with our leaders on the Youth Council and Youth Circle for Mother Earth’s Coordinating Circle to offer a unique, cross-cultural event for youth across Ontario.
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY FIELD NATURALISTS ARE SPONSORING TWO LOCAL YOUTH.
What is it?
The Youth Summit brings together about 90 students in grades 9-12 from across Ontario to learn about the variety of natural life in our province and positive solutions to conservation and environmental issues in a complex and changing world. Hosted by the Ontario Nature Youth Council, all workshops and activities reflect topics that are important to today’s youth.
Some highlights to look forward to at the 2024 Summit:
- Compelling, interactive workshops and activities
- A keynote presentation by a high‐profile environmental speaker
- A wonderful venue to explore at the Tawingo Outdoor Centre in Muskoka complete with hiking trails, canoeing and nightly campfires.
- Meeting diverse young leaders with similar interests from across Ontario!
Weekend Details
When: September 13–15, 2024
Where: Tawingo Outdoor Centre in Muskoka on the traditional territories of the Ojibway, the Chippewa, the Algonquin and the Odawa. Today, Muskoka is home to three sovereign nations: Wahta Mohawks First Nations, Moose Deer Point First Nation and the Moon River Métis. Tawingo Outdoor Centre is located in what is now known as Huntsville.
Who: 90 youth (aged 14–20) from across Ontario
We look forward to delivering a weekend of hands-on, outdoor education and land-based learning opportunities alongside our incredible partners. Ontario Nature’s COVID-19 Precautions for Events provides details on the prevention measures we will take in advance of and during the event. The Youth Summit for Mother Earth will be held in compliance with Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s COVID-19 measures at the time of the event.
Registration
Registration for sponsored youth will open in late spring. Instructions to access the password-protected form will be emailed directly to sponsors and sponsored youth.
Full sponsorship costs to attend the 2024 Youth Summit for Mother Earth is $450. A sponsorship of $450 covers the hard costs of a youth’s participation, including accommodations, meals, speakers, workshops, materials, event coordination, and additional costs associated with reducing barriers for youth participation (e.g., travel).
If you are not being sponsored to attend and would like to participate, please contact the event coordinator below to be notified when subsidized registration opens. Please contact Maya Davidson at mayad@ontarionature.org or 416-444-8419 (toll-free 1-800-440-2366) ext. 280 for inquiries about sponsorship or registration. The Ontario Nature website is https://ontarionature.org/events/youth-summit/.
Application Process
Complete the online application form. Selected candidates may have a short interview with MVFN members.
Application Deadline July 1, 2024.
Winners will be announced by August.
Past Attendees
- 2024 – Rory St. Dennis and Rowan Tunks
- Thank you letters:
Youth Summit organizers
Rory
Rowan
- Thank you letters:
- 2023 – Alonai Scarfe, Rowan McKenzie, Lyla Chiasson
- 2022 – Ashe Williams
- 2021 – Jordan-Anne Riche and Carys Clarke.
- 2020 – Haylie English, Skyelyn Stewart and Shaena Jakob.
- 2019 – Garrett Weese, Jacob Cooke
- 2018 – Kea McKay
- 2017 – Sophie Anderson
