Our Experiences at the 2015 Youth Symposium

Important Info for the Opening Ceremonies (Thursday Night)

On the opening evening we will be asking everyone to participate in an interactive Ideas to Action Cafe which we will be encouraging participants to identify and discuss community or school relevant sustainability issues and explore how they as young people and future leaders can work towards making a positive difference, and ultimately bringing a plan of action back to their communities. Ahead of the session, we are asking each group to be prepared to work together on identifying an issue that they think is important to their school/community and think about how they as individuals, groups or schools could impact that issue.

During the session you will be asked to work together as a school/community but also have to opportunity to work together with other schools/communities to develop a plan of action to take home for implementation.

In order to ensure the Cafe is effective, small groups will be formed (6 -8 people max) per school/community so the larger schools or communities may want to come up with a common theme/idea or a group of ideas which can be used during the session.

Update on Registration

Registration has been extended until April 29th!!! Last minute registrations get them in!!

Remember to fill out all forms (see left) before making the trek to TBay.

Important Registration Info!!

Attention all schools/teams coming to this year's Youth Symposium!!

Make sure your team leader registers your group.  Group registration must accompany the Individual registrations (one group registration for the whole group).  Please get this done asap as that registration contains important contact information that we need to give the team leaders the information they need for their groups.

Also, each participant must, MUST, fill out the Health Form and Liability Waiver before coming to Thunder Bay!!  Check out the link to the left.  If you've signed up for the Rock Climbing field trip make sure you also complete the waiver as well (in the same link as the others)

Can't wait to see you all in May!!

Welcome to 2015!!!

Welcome to the 11^th Biennial Lake Superior Youth Symposium.

It has been 10 years since the Symposium has come to Thunder Bay and we are excited to host this time honored tradition to gather together.  We hope that you take from this the most that you possibly can.  As teachers, students, citizens and advocates who live in the Great Lakes watershed, it is our responsibility to care for the watershed for future generations.  To do this we must increase our understanding of the environmental and scientific issues pertaining to our watershed and work together as stewards of this wonderful place that is our home.  There is much to see and do at the “head” of the Great Lakes.  Thunder Bay, also know as the Lakehead, has a wealth of water environments to explore, including streams, rivers, bogs, marshes, inland lakes and the big lake itself.  Spring in the boreal forest of Northwestern Ontario is a time of renewal and a great time to enjoy the sights and sounds that nature has to offer.

The weekend will include keynote speakers, exciting workshops on issues and events impacting the watershed such as global climate change, water management and environmental sustainability to name but a few.  There will be field trips led by experts that will allow participants to visit unique locations in and around Thunder Bay. Trips include Fort William Historical Park, Ouimet Canyon, rock climbing, touring alternative energy projects and much more. You may even see a giant sleeping!  Don’t forget that the Arts and cultural connections will be an important part of the Symposium also.  In the pages that follow you will read about the many exciting opportunities being offered to you at this years’ gathering.

So get a group together from your school and come on up to the 11^th Biennial Lake Superior Youth Symposium to be held in Thunder Bay on Lake Superior’s northwestern shore.  Come together Thursday, May 14th through Sunday, May 17th to learn, explore and celebrate this great watershed we call home.  The Symposium is a unique opportunity to become informed, inspired and motivated about the stewardship of our Great Lakes.

See you in May!

Your Lake Superior Youth Symposium Steering Committee

Click on the links below to access the map to both Lakehead University and Confederation College;

Lakehead University                                                                                          Confederation College