Ignite Youth Centre

Programs

Ignite Youth Centre is a Free, Safe & Fun Place for Elgin County Youth ages 12-19! Enjoy awesome programs, leadership opportunities, and a space to just be you! Check out our current programs below!

Program Info

High School Prep

Weekdays

Ready, Set, High School is a supportive summer program running from mid-July to September, designed for students entering Grades 9 and 10 who may be experiencing challenges with the transition to high school. Whether it’s building confidence, making connections, or getting familiar with new routines, this program offers a welcoming space to prepare for a successful start. Sponsored by TVDSB, Ready, Set, High School will include fun activities, skill-building sessions, and opportunities to meet peers and supportive mentors. TVDSB social workers and guidance counsellors will also be connecting directly with students who could benefit from participating. More details to come in the coming weeks!

PA Day Camps

Weekdays

Looking for something fun and meaningful to do on the next PA Day? Join us at the Ignite Youth Centre for a free afternoon of activities, creativity, and connection! Our PA Day program offers a mix of games, sports, hands-on projects, and chill time in a welcoming space. It’s a great way to try something new, meet other teens, and make the most of your day off school.

PA Days from 12pm-6pm. Drop-ins welcome.

My First Job

Weekdays

My First Job: A 3-Part Workshop Series for Youth Entering the Workforce

Are you ready to land your first job but not sure where to start? Join us for My First Job, a hands-on, three-part workshop series designed to help youth identify their strengths, build a standout resume, and take the first steps toward finding a job that fits.

Whether you’re looking for part-time work, a summer job, or just want to feel more confident about entering the workforce — this series is for you!

FREE to Attend

Ages 15-19

Art & Crafts

Weekdays

Embrace your inner artist! Join us for weekly arts and crafts projects and use many of our art supplies such as paint supplies, drawing pencils, pencil crayons, markers, modeling clay, paper, sketch books, and more!

Monday Baking

Weekdays

Each Monday, youth have the opportunity to work together to follow a new recipe from scratch. Through this hands-on baking program, participants will develop culinary skills, strengthen their leadership and teamwork abilities, and gain a practical understanding of recipe math. All of our baked goods are made entirely from scratch, giving youth real experience with quality ingredients and techniques.

Summer Cooking Classes

Weekdays

This summer, youth will have the opportunity to work together in our hands-on Cooking Class to prepare healthy, home-cooked meals. With guidance from staff, participants will build skills in safe food handling, nutritious meal planning, budgeting and grocery shopping, understanding recipes, measuring ingredients, and preparing and cooking meals from scratch.

Stay tuned for more details!

Tasty Tuesdays

Weekdays

Each Tuesday, youth are invited to enjoy a Tasty Tuesday Dinner—a healthy, home-cooked meal provided in a welcoming and social environment. These dinners offer a chance to connect with peers, build community, and enjoy nutritious food together.

Mental Wellness

Weekdays

While we offer some dedicated mental wellness programs, supporting youth mental health is also a core part of everything we do. We encourage youth to achieve balance across multiple dimensions of wellness—including physical, emotional, environmental, and social. Through our programs, youth engage in activities and educational tools that help build resilience and coping skills for everyday challenges. Topics may include stress management, self-care, journaling, gratitude, and more.

Games

Weekdays

Drop in for board games and cards to Wii battles. Games give youth a chance to chill out, laugh, and spend time with friends. Whether it’s a quick round of Uno or a full-on Mario Kart tournament, games bring people together and help build teamwork, communication, and just good vibes all around.

Tween Night

Weekdays

Tween Night is a special program for youth ages 10-15, held on the last Wednesday of each month from 5-8pm! It’s the perfect opportunity for tweens to meet new friends, enjoy the space and equipment, and participate in fun activities. With a balance of supervision and independence, youth can explore activities on their own while knowing staff are there to offer guidance and support when needed. It’s all about having fun, making memories, and building confidence!

Friday Flicks

Friday's

Grab your popcorn! Every Friday at Ignite is Movie Night! Youth help staff to choose a youth appropriate movie to watch together in the Lounge.

Gym & Sports

Weekdays

You can hit the gym every day after school for some friendly competition! Whether it’s basketball, vollyeball, floor hockey, dodgeball, or more, it’s all about staying active and having fun. With a mix of friendly competition and support, youth can enjoy games while building confidence and staying healthy. It’s not about winning—it’s about getting moving and having a blast with friends!