Free Programs for Youth in Canada

The more you explore the world around you, the deeper your understanding, the broader your knowledge, and the more joyful life becomes. Likes and dislikes, passions, and curiosities all arise when we do new things in new places with new people. Unfortunately, so many activities are paywalled and inaccessible.

That is why we created this list of programs from our amazing partners.

There are dozens of free opportunities for young people across Canada that help them learn new skills, explore their interests, meet people with different experiences, build confidence, and discover their own strengths without the barrier of a program fee. Whether you’re interested in leadership, diversity and inclusion, Indigenous learning, career exploration, or community engagement, these organizations from across Canada can help you learn and grow. 

Boys and Girls Club (BGC) Canada

Not only is this organization over 125 years old, but they have over 600 club locations across Canada. The first Canadian Club was established in Saint John, New Brunswick, in 1900, originally to give boys from disadvantaged circumstances a safe place to go after school.

In their long history, Boys and Girls Club (BGC) Canada’s programs report incredible transformation. In BGC Canada's latest report, 92% of members reported greater confidence in their abilities, 95% reported having more people they like spending time with, and 86% reported being more confident about their future. 

With Clubs and programs across the country, BGC Canada provides young people with spaces where they can learn, build relationships, try new activities, and develop skills for the future. Local BGC Clubs offer a wide range of programming, which can include recreation, education, employment, mental health, leadership, and financial literacy.

One of their most accessible platforms is ‘MyBGC’, a free online learning hub for young people aged 13–21. Through self-directed programs and activities, young people can explore topics and skills that can help them navigate school, work, and life after graduation:

• Employment and job readiness

• Financial literacy

• Mental health

• Leadership

• Learning and development
  

Programs like these give youth the opportunity to learn at their own pace while building practical skills and confidence. Because programming varies between clubs, explore your closest BGC to find opportunities available directly in your community. Learn more: BGC Canada

Connected North

Connected North responds to a fairly specific problem: geography can limit educational opportunity. Remote and northern communities can have fewer specialist teachers, enrichment opportunities, career role models and culturally relevant programming available locally. Connected North's model tries to use technology to overcome some of those geographic barriers.

And there's an interesting distinction here: the technology isn't really the point. The connection is.

Through virtual programming, students are able to take part in interactive sessions with experts, role models, educators, and artists from across Canada. Their programming for schools in these communities includes opportunities for cultural learning, career exploration, leadership development, and skill-building.

Resources such as Fireside Chats connect students with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit role-models, while Future Pathways introduces students to post-secondary opportunities. Programs such as Your Voice is Power combine coding with Indigenous history and hip-hop, giving students an opportunity to learn across different subjects and perspectives.

Connected North also offers monetary opportunities for emerging Indigenous youth leaders, including the Youth Leadership Fund. These programs can help young people expand their understanding of what is possible, connect with role models, and explore potential education and career pathways.

Some Connected North programming is delivered through participating schools, while other resources are available online. Learn more: Connected North

Harmony Movement

Harmony Movement was founded in 1994 to address interracial intolerance and an “us versus them” mentality. Its work later shifted toward education and programming for youth, educators and community groups. Today, Harmony describes its approach as helping people recognize bias, challenge discrimination and develop the skills to create more inclusive schools, workplaces and communities.

Through interactive workshops and youth programs, participants can explore topics such as identity, diversity, equity, discrimination, stereotypes, bias, and allyship.

Harmony’s youth programming includes opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, engage in conversations about social justice, and learn how they can contribute to more inclusive communities. Programs like Social Changemakers Leadership encourage young people to think critically about issues affecting their communities and develop the skills they need to become active changemakers.

These experiences can help youth become more comfortable having difficult conversations, understanding different perspectives, and turning what they learn into meaningful action. Many Harmony programs are offered through schools and youth-serving organizations, so check with your school, or local community group to see what opportunities are available. 🔗 Learn more: Harmony Movement

Moose Hide Campaign

The Moose Hide Campaign is an Indigenous-led grassroots movement working to end gender-based violence and promote healthy relationships, respect, and safety. It began in British Columbia in 2011 with father and daughter Paul and Raven Lacerte, and has grown into a national movement involving Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, schools, governments, workplaces and organizations.Through education, conversation, ceremony, and action, the campaign creates opportunities for young people to learn about issues that affect individuals, families, and communities.

Youth can access educational resources, workshops, livestreams, and other free learning opportunities focused on topics such as respect, empathy, healthy relationships, reconciliation, and standing up against gender-based violence. The campaign also offers resources for educators and students, making it possible to bring these conversations into schools and youth spaces.

For young people, participating in this type of programming can provide an opportunity to ask important questions, and develop the knowledge and confidence to contribute to healthier communities. It also creates space for youth to learn from Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, educators, artists, and other community members. Learn more: Moose Hide Campaign

See Different

And, of course, there’s us, See Different!

A national youth education initiative of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), See Different offers free DEI education and certification for youth ages 15–26 across Canada.

Through the program, youth can explore topics including identity, diversity and inclusion, power and privilege, conflict management, peer mediation, and allyship. The program is designed to help young people develop a deeper understanding of the social issues around them while building practical skills they can use in their schools, workplaces, communities, and everyday lives.

See Different offers two levels of certification, Principles of DEI and Emerging Leaders of DEI, and programming is available both virtually and in person. Participants connect with other young people across the country and can also access our Changemaker Grants.

For youth who want to understand DEI while developing their skills and connecting with like-minded individuals, See Different is a chance to turn learning into action. 🔗 Learn more and join: See Different

Conclusion

Free youth programs do so much more than simply fill your time and your resume. They can give you a place to explore your interests, develop new skills, meet people who share your passions, and discover opportunities you may not have known existed.

They can also help build skills that matter well beyond the program itself. Learning how to communicate, collaborate, think critically, navigate differences, advocate for yourself and others, and take initiative can help prepare young people for school, work, relationships, and community life. Most importantly, these programs can remind young people that their voices, experiences, and ideas matter. You don’t need to have everything figured out before getting involved. Sometimes, finding the right program, or community is the first step toward discovering what you’re truly capable of.

So, if you’re a young person looking to learn something new or wanting to get involved in an issue you care about, start exploring. These are just some of the free opportunities across Canada, and your next opportunity could be just a click away.