Youth Programs
The City of Oshawa offers many programs, services, and opportunities for youth to participate and get active in our community.
- Stop by one of our leisure rooms at the Civic Recreation Complex and South Oshawa Community Centre.
- Discover fitness programs for teens and youth.
- Sign up for a seasonal activeOshawa program
- Participate in a sport
- Visit one of our skateboard parks.
- Share your voice on our Youth Council
- Find a volunteer opportunity
Youth Friendly Community designation
In March 2020, we received the Bronze Youth Friendly Community designation from Play Works, a program supported by Parks and Recreation Ontario.
We were the lead applicant and worked with 34 Oshawa youth organizations and service partners in the community who contributed to the designation as co-applicants.
What is the Youth Friendly designation?
The Youth Friendly Community designation is granted every three years to Ontario communities that recognize the unique needs of youth ages 13 to 19 and ensure they have continuous access to leadership and engagement opportunities, ranging from arts to recreation to civic participation. Communities are required to meet at least seven of ten youth-friendly criteria. The categories that required for designation are:
- Youth have options for play
- Youth are formally connected community-wide
- It is easy for youth to find information about play activities in the community
- The community recognizes and celebrates youth
- The community formally commits funding for youth play
- The community supports Positive Youth Development
- Youth feel valued by their community
- Schools and school boards support the Youth Friendly approach
- Play is accessible to youth
- Play is socially inclusive
What is Play Works?
Play Works is a group of organizations that care about the future of youth and have joined forces to enhance youth engagement in communities across Ontario.
Visit the Play Works website for more information on Youth Friendly Communities.