Questions:
i) What is Activate 2008?
ii) Who can Apply? How can youth apply?
iii) When is the deadline to apply?
iv) Can youth who have applied in previous years, but did not attend the National Youth Conference, still apply?
v) Where & When is Activate 2008?
vi) When will youth know if they are selected?
vii) What about youth travel?
viii) What is the cost?
ix) Where will the delegates be staying?
x) Will there be chaperones?
xi) How is the program funded?
xii) Why is the conference important?
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i) WHAT IS ACTIVATE 2008?
It's a 5-day conference where YOUth decide what physical activity, recreation and sport should be!
The ACTIVATE conference is created by youth, for youth – a volunteer team made up of ACTIVATE alumni come together with Motivate Canada to plan and deliver a great youth leadership conference!
You will be connecting with over 50 other passionate youth from across the country. It's not just about talking…it's about youth development and taking action in your community when you get home!
ii) WHO CAN APPLY?
Canadian citizens between the ages of 16-22.
ACTIVATE 2008 values diversity - diversity of experience, race, language, ability levels, and more. We encourage anyone and everyone to apply!
HOW CAN YOUTH APPLY?
Visit www.motivatecanada.ca to apply NOW! If you are having any difficulty applying on-line, or have any questions or concerns about the application process, please contact Danielle Vienneau, Program Manager at activate@motivatecanada.ca or call us toll free at 1-866-378-3361 ext. 227.
iii) WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO APPLY?
Deadline to apply is FEBRUARY 29, 2008!
iv)CAN YOUTH WHO HAVE APPLIED IN PREVIOUS YEARS, BUT DID NOT ATTEND THE NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE, STILL APPLY?
Yes! As long as the youth has not attended an ACTIVATE conference, and are Canadian citizens between the age of 16-22, they are eligible to apply.
v) WHERE & WHEN IS ACTIVATE 2008?
May 7-11, 2008 at Carleton University in Ottaw, ON. Visit http://www.carleton.ca/ for more information on our host location.
vi) WHEN WILL YOUTH KNOW IF THEY ARE SELECTED?
Youth will receive an e-mail from activate@motivatecanada.ca at the beginning of March 2008 indicating they have been selected.
vii) WHAT ABOUT YOUTH TRAVEL?
All travel will be coordinated by SEVEC (Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada) http://www.sevec.ca/. Delegate travel will be coordinated by experienced agents who specialize in youth exchanges and all delegate travel will be coordinated so that delegates arrive in Ottawa on Wednesday May 7 and depart in the morning on Sunday May 11. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate for any alternate travel arrangements outside of the conference activities.
viii) WHAT IS THE COST?
Thanks to the support of the government of Canada, the registration fee is only $400.00. This is the only cost to delegates as all travel, accommodations, and meals are organized by Motivate Canada. The only other thing that delegates might need money for is to buy souvenirs or other personal things in Ottawa.
ix) WHERE WILL DELEGATES BE STAYING?
All delegates, including Motivate Canada staff and volunteers, will be staying in the residences on Carleton University’s campus. Delegates will be paired by gender and accommodations are 2 to a room.
x) WILL THERE BE CHAPERONES?
There are no chaperones; however, there is a dedicated team of Motivate Canada staff and volunteers who are responsible for the delegates at all times during the conference. Prior to the event, each delegate must sign a consent form which outlines all the activities and risks that are associated with participating in ACTIVATE 2008. If in the case that this agreement is violated, Motivate Canada will decide the appropriate action. Consequences could be as serious as being sent home from the conference at the delegates own expense (outlined in the consent form). Activities are planned for delegates to participate in during the daytime, evening, and night hours so that they are kept busy. A parent/guardian signature is required for those delegates under the age of 18.
xi) HOW IS THE PROGRAM FUNDED?
ACTIVATE 2008 is funded in part by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
xii) WHY IS THIS CONFERENCE IMPORTANT?
Young people are currently not active enough to achieve full health benefits of physical activity. Many are not engaged in their communities in meaningful ways. Youth development research shows that when young people are engaged in contributing to their communities, they feel more confident and are less likely to get involved in negative activities (drugs, crime, etc). Sport and physical activity currently does not engage young people effectively. Recreation/sport/physical activities could be improved so that more people can get active and become involved. In order for more young people to be involved in participating in recreation, sport and physical activity, young people need to be engaged in creating the solutions! ACTIVATE 2008 aims to do this. It also aims to explore the idea and need for youth-driven development and help young people develop relationships, support, tools, and plans that they need in order to gain something from their experience and make some positive changes in their communities.