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BonaVia × ExpertEase Career Program
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Private Equity & Investment Banking Career Program
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BonaVia Atlas | Student Opportunity Map
Find your next learning opportunity.
Filter by grade, interest, location, format and cost. Each resource explains who it is for, why it is worth a closer look, what students complete or take away, and what to check before applying.
Browse all resourcesResource directory
Find an opportunity that fits.
Check eligibility first, then compare commitment, outcomes and application requirements. Filters include both a resource’s primary focus and well-supported related fields.
Dates, eligibility and fees can change. Review the organizer’s current details before applying.
125curated resources
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BonaVia × ExpertEase Career Program
AI, Data Engineering & Machine Learning Career Program
BonaVia x ExpertEase
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BonaVia × ExpertEase Career Program
Biotech Innovation & Drug Development Career Program
BonaVia x ExpertEase
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BonaVia × ExpertEase Career Program
Business Development & Marketing Career Program
BonaVia x ExpertEase
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BonaVia × ExpertEase Career Program
Digital & Influencer Marketing Career Program
BonaVia x ExpertEase
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BonaVia × ExpertEase Career Program
Marketing, Brand Strategy, Entrepreneurship & Product Innovation Career Program
BonaVia x ExpertEase
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Science World Future Science Leaders
Science World · Future Science Leaders
- What it is
- An after-school science program in Vancouver with experiments, research conversations and sessions with professionals.
- Who it’s for
- Students entering Grade 10 or 11 who can attend in person consistently.
- Why explore it
- Move from reading about science to asking, testing and discussing questions.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete science activities and practise recording and communicating your work.
- Before you start
- Start with Discover; Innovate requires Discover completion. The site is collecting interest for 2027–28, not advertising an open current-year intake. Confirm new-cohort fees, bursaries and schedules.
VolunteeringVaries
Confirm eligibility
SDC Inclusive Program Volunteering
Social Diversity for Children Foundation
- What it is
- Apply to support arts, learning or social activities for children with disabilities.
- Who it’s for
- Students ready to listen, adapt and make a dependable service commitment.
- Why explore it
- Learn how thoughtful support changes with each participant’s needs.
- What students complete or take away
- After screening and training, take on practical activity-support tasks.
- Before you start
- Check the current schedule first. The public page does not specify a minimum age; confirm student eligibility, location, costs and commitment with SDC. Screening follows the application, so submitting a form does not secure a placement.
ProgramFree
YWCA Indigi-Circle
YWCA BC · Indigi-Circle
- What it is
- Cultural connection, peer activities and mentoring that support belonging and confidence.
- Who it’s for
- Indigenous self-identified girls, Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary youth aged 13–18.
- Why explore it
- Explore your next steps in a setting that makes room for your culture and experience.
- What students complete or take away
- Join activities and build a supportive network.
- Before you start
- Free, through participating Vancouver schools. Check school participation and the next intake; this is not a general mentorship program for every student.
ProgramFree
YWCA Relate Youth Workshops
YWCA BC · Relate
- What it is
- School and community workshops on healthy relationships, communication and violence prevention.
- Who it’s for
- Young people who want to better understand respect and communication in everyday relationships.
- Why explore it
- Discuss questions that can be hard to raise on your own.
- What students complete or take away
- Practise communication and recognize healthy boundaries.
- Before you start
- Workshops serve ages 12–30 and are booked through schools or organizations. A separate leadership program for ages 18–30 is planned for April 2027; it is not the current workshop intake.
Learning resourcesVaries
Ocean Wise Education Resources
Ocean Wise · Education
- What it is
- Explore free learning kits, an online ocean-literacy course, virtual classes, mobile education and climate activities.
- Who it’s for
- Students, families and schools interested in oceans, ecology and climate.
- Why explore it
- Connect ocean science with everyday choices and local environments.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete learning activities and identify an environmental question to investigate.
- Before you start
- Kits and selected online learning are free. Booked and in-person programs have their own ages, locations and fees. Waves of Change serves Canadian K–12 students; not every offering is available worldwide.
Learning resourcesVaries
Rick Hansen Inclusion & Accessibility Resources
Rick Hansen Foundation · School Program
- What it is
- A K–12 hub for school materials, accessibility activities and presentations from people with lived experience.
- Who it’s for
- Students and educators interested in disability inclusion and community action.
- Why explore it
- Notice how the same space can work very differently for different people.
- What students complete or take away
- Use the materials to investigate a school barrier and plan a thoughtful response.
- Before you start
- Resource-library access and booked Ambassador Presentations follow different processes. If you would like to join the youth committee, ask the foundation about applications and opening dates.
VolunteeringVaries
Confirm eligibility
Canucks Autism Network Volunteering
Canucks Autism Network
- What it is
- Support activities for the autism community with training and guidance from program staff.
- Who it’s for
- Students ready to attend reliably and learn participant-centred support skills.
- Why explore it
- Understand different needs through working alongside people.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete training and carry out assigned volunteer responsibilities.
- Before you start
- The volunteer page says 15+, while the FAQ says 16+. Applicants aged 15 must check with CAN first. All applicants should confirm local roles, screening, costs and time commitments.
VolunteeringVaries
Greater Vancouver Food Bank Volunteering
Greater Vancouver Food Bank
- What it is
- Explore individual and group opportunities supporting food-bank operations.
- Who it’s for
- Students aged 15+ who can reliably carry out scheduled tasks.
- Why explore it
- See the organization and teamwork behind community food support.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete assigned sorting, distribution or other support duties.
- Before you start
- Under-18s should check parental-consent requirements. School groups use a separate booking process. Confirm current roles, locations, shifts and requirements before attending.
ProgramFree
Confirm eligibility
YMCA BC Youth Support & Development
YMCA BC · Youth Support and Development
- What it is
- A directory of academic support, employment preparation, wellbeing, youth exchanges and leadership programs.
- Who it’s for
- BC youth looking for support with school, everyday life or career exploration.
- Why explore it
- Growing up also means having somewhere to ask for help and connect.
- What students complete or take away
- Find a suitable service and build skills or a practical next-step plan.
- Before you start
- Free programs have different eligibility: Y Mind Teen serves ages 13–18; Youth Employment Bootcamp, 15–30; Foundry Work & Education, 15–24. Check location, availability and individual requirements.
VolunteeringVaries
UBC Geering Up STEM Leadership
UBC Geering Up · STEM Leadership Program
- What it is
- Technical training, a social-development project and volunteering with children’s STEM camps.
- Who it’s for
- First-time LIT applicants in BC’s Lower Mainland entering Grades 10–12.
- Why explore it
- Build something while learning how to support younger learners.
- What students complete or take away
- Contribute to a project, camp activities and a final showcase.
- Before you start
- 2026 applications are closed. That cohort required at least two camp weeks, training and additional project time, with screening after acceptance. Check the next intake for eligibility and costs.
ProgramVaries
SFU Science AL!VE High School Programs
SFU Science AL!VE
- What it is
- A STEM directory including Exploring AI, Invent the Future and links to online learning.
- Who it’s for
- Grades 8–12 students who want to try technology through workshops and hands-on activities.
- Why explore it
- Try a specific topic before deciding how deeply to pursue it.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete exercises, creative work or technical exploration in your chosen activity.
- Before you start
- A directory listing is not an open intake. Some pages retain past editions. Check each current program for grade and other eligibility, fees and dates.
ProgramVaries
BCCHR Mini Med School
BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute · Mini Med School
- What it is
- Explore health research through live sessions and self-directed recordings.
- Who it’s for
- Students in BC and Yukon interested in health science, with eligibility set by format.
- Why explore it
- See how research connects with questions in patient care.
- What students complete or take away
- Record research questions and explore which health fields interest you.
- Before you start
- The fall series is for Grade 12; self-directed learning serves Grades 8–12. The 2026 Prince George event for Grades 10–12 has ended. Check registration, costs and completion requirements for your format.
EventVaries
Confirm eligibility
BCCHR Discovery Days in Health Sciences
BCCHR · Discovery Days in Health Sciences
- What it is
- A one-day introduction to health-science careers for high-school students and teachers.
- Who it’s for
- Students curious about medicine, research and health-related work.
- Why explore it
- Meet professionals and develop a more concrete picture of their work.
- What students complete or take away
- Take part and identify questions or fields to explore further.
- Before you start
- The site lists November 6, 2026 in Vancouver. Follow its Canadian Medical Hall of Fame link to confirm grades, school registration, fees and places.
ProgramVaries
Emily Carr Youth Art & Design Programs
Emily Carr University of Art + Design · Youth Programs
- What it is
- Find teen courses, spring-break camps, summer studios and gallery partnerships.
- Who it’s for
- Ages 12–18 exploring art, design or media, with different ages for each program.
- Why explore it
- Discover your creative interests by making and discussing work.
- What students complete or take away
- Create pieces and develop a sustained creative practice.
- Before you start
- The four-week Summer Institute for Teens serves ages 16–18; spring-break camps and Teen Art Group serve 15–18. Other offerings differ. Check new-cohort dates, tuition and availability on this current university hub.
Learning resourcesFree
Amii K–12 AI Literacy
Amii · K–12 AI Literacy
- What it is
- Learning kits, classroom activities and school-speaker support covering generative AI, applications, careers and critical thinking.
- Who it’s for
- Students and schools seeking teacher-supported AI learning.
- Why explore it
- Go beyond using a tool to understanding it and judging its output.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete learning tasks and discuss AI’s uses and limits.
- Before you start
- Free, with teachers, schools and school boards as the main applicants. Materials connect with Alberta’s curriculum. Ask a teacher about access; this is not a student research placement.
Learning resourcesFree
Actua AI-Ready Activities
Actua · Canada’s AI-Ready Generation
- What it is
- Public AI activities, discussion guides and reflection exercises, including Grades 8–12 versions.
- Who it’s for
- Students, families and educators exploring how AI works and how to evaluate it.
- Why explore it
- Understand AI through agriculture, conservation and social-media examples.
- What students complete or take away
- Try activities or a classification model and reflect on your decisions.
- Before you start
- Public materials are available to use. Some activities need facilitation, equipment or third-party tools. Local Actua camps have separate registration and fees; free materials do not mean free camps.
Learning resourcesVaries
MediaSmarts Digital & Media Literacy
MediaSmarts
- What it is
- A family-facing collection of guides and activities about media and digital life.
- Who it’s for
- Students and parents who want to judge information more carefully and discuss online habits.
- Why explore it
- Learn to notice the influence of advertising and platform recommendations.
- What students complete or take away
- Use an activity or discussion guide to reflect on how you read online content.
- Before you start
- Choose age-appropriate resources. Teacher versions and licensed or account-based offerings may have different access terms. This is a learning collection, not an admissions program or competition.
Learning resourcesFree
Microsoft Behind The Chat
Microsoft · Behind The Chat
- What it is
- Teen scenarios exploring AI chatbots, privacy, dependence and independent judgment.
- Who it’s for
- Students who use AI for learning or conversation and want more intentional habits.
- Why explore it
- Turn abstract AI-safety questions into everyday choices you can discuss.
- What students complete or take away
- Read the scenarios and use the family or classroom prompts to reflect.
- Before you start
- The official launch page links to the resources and parent/educator guides. Activities can be discussed without sharing personal experiences or private information with an AI tool.
Learning resourcesFree
TELUS Wise Youth Workshops
TELUS Wise
- What it is
- Self-paced online learning and school workshops on AI, online relationships and digital wellbeing.
- Who it’s for
- Grades 6–12 students, with grade-specific workshop options.
- Why explore it
- Discuss how technology affects judgment, relationships and daily life.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a workshop and identify one digital habit to improve.
- Before you start
- Free. Responsible AI and happiness serve Grades 9–12; in control and impact serve Grades 6–9. Online learning is self-paced; live sessions depend on location, group size and advance booking.
Learning resourcesFree
Google Applied Digital Skills
Google for Education · Applied Digital Skills
- What it is
- Google’s digital-skills lessons remain free to view through its new Education Learning Center.
- Who it’s for
- Students who want to learn digital tools through practical exercises.
- Why explore it
- Learn a tool in the context of something you want to accomplish.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a digital artifact or exercise from your chosen lesson.
- Before you start
- The old platform closed on June 30, 2025. This official help page points to edu.exceedlms.com. Under-13s cannot sign in, but can still view Applied Digital Skills content.
ProgramVaries
Confirm eligibility
VSB Career & Dual-Credit Pathways
Vancouver School Board · Career Programs
- What it is
- The district directory covers dual credit, trades training, registered youth apprenticeships, work experience and Job Training.
- Who it’s for
- VSB students exploring careers, trades or post-secondary learning during high school.
- Why explore it
- Connect school learning with training providers, communities and workplaces.
- What students complete or take away
- Build practical skills, course work or eligible credits, depending on the program.
- Before you start
- Check grades, prerequisites, costs, schedules and applications with your school’s career teacher or counsellor. Not every pathway accepts direct applications or awards both kinds of credit.
ProgramVaries
Confirm eligibility
North Vancouver Career Pathways 44
North Vancouver School District · Career Pathways 44
- What it is
- Explore health dual credit, early-childhood education, YELL, trades, work experience and career events.
- Who it’s for
- North Vancouver district students connecting school courses with career exploration.
- Why explore it
- Start with the opportunities and support already available through your school.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete skills training, work-experience activities or course tasks, depending on the pathway.
- Before you start
- Confirm grades, credits, selection, costs and schedules with your school. External events have their own rules; a directory listing does not confirm available places.
VolunteeringVaries
Confirm eligibility
Vancouver Youth Community Involvement
City of Vancouver · Youth Involvement
- What it is
- Find youth activities, volunteering and participation opportunities through community centres.
- Who it’s for
- Students who want to contribute locally and meet peers.
- Why explore it
- Start with a real neighbourhood need rather than an impressive résumé.
- What students complete or take away
- Support activities or take part in a local youth initiative.
- Before you start
- Centres set their own ages, recruitment, training and costs. Check with local youth staff. The city directory is not a single open placement or a confirmed citywide leadership certificate.
Learning resourcesFree
BC AI in Education Resources
BC Ministry of Education and Child Care
- What it is
- K–12 AI guidance, student materials and family resources from BC’s education ministry.
- Who it’s for
- Students, parents and educators discussing AI use at school.
- Why explore it
- Build a shared vocabulary for decisions that go beyond simply allowing or banning a tool.
- What students complete or take away
- Discuss checking outputs, keeping track of your thinking and following course expectations.
- Before you start
- Public materials are available online. Schools and teachers still set assignment rules; these resources do not authorize every AI use in every classroom.
ProgramFree
JABC Financial Literacy & Career Readiness
JA British Columbia · School Programs & TechWorks
- What it is
- School and community programs in money skills, business simulations, entrepreneurship and career readiness, with links to TechWorks.
- Who it’s for
- Students curious about money, business decisions and the working world.
- Why explore it
- Put economic ideas into practical choices and simulations.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete budgeting, business, career-exploration or entrepreneurship tasks.
- Before you start
- Free, mainly arranged by educators or organizations, with different grades for each course. JA Company Program has its own Atlas listing. Check the 2026–27 menu for course selection and booking.
ProgramVaries
Confirm eligibility
SCWIST Quantum Leaps
SCWIST · Quantum Leaps
- What it is
- Regular written exchanges and online mentor meetings to explore STEM and skilled trades while developing a project.
- Who it’s for
- Canadian high-school students interested in these fields, subject to the current intake’s eligibility.
- Why explore it
- Turn an interest into sustained questions, feedback and experimentation.
- What students complete or take away
- Develop a STEM project and practise project management and communication.
- Before you start
- The site describes weekly written exchanges, monthly virtual meetings and possible project-funding applications. Confirm recruitment, eligibility, costs and commitment. Funding is not automatic.
ProgramPaid
Ethọ́s Lab Teen Creative Studios
Ethọ́s Lab · Youth STEAM Programs
- What it is
- Hands-on Vancouver STEAM programs connecting design, games, music production and mathematics.
- Who it’s for
- Students who enjoy making and collaborating, with grades set by each studio.
- Why explore it
- Find what holds your interest by creating and improving work.
- What students complete or take away
- Make characters, digital pieces, beats or other project work.
- Before you start
- Fall 2026: Dice & Design serves Grades 8–12; Beat Making, 10–12; Math Club, 7–9. Check program fees and scholarships. Programs welcome youth of all backgrounds, not only Black youth.
ResearchVaries
BC & Yukon Regional Science Fairs
Science Fair Foundation BC · Regional Science Fairs
- What it is
- Find your regional fair, develop research or engineering work and present it to judges.
- Who it’s for
- Students ready to pursue a question and document methods and results.
- Why explore it
- Find the actual entry route before planning your project timeline.
- What students complete or take away
- Produce a report, display or prototype and answer judges’ questions.
- Before you start
- This 13-region directory provides the local route toward the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Listed spring 2026 dates have passed. Confirm 2027 grades, rules, fees and dates with your region; national entry is not direct.
ResearchVaries
Science Club Project Support
Science Fair Foundation BC · Science Club
- What it is
- Monthly online office hours and a mentor-contact route for students already developing a science project.
- Who it’s for
- Students with a hypothesis or project design and a specific problem to work through.
- Why explore it
- Learn to turn a difficulty into a question an expert can help answer.
- What students complete or take away
- Use targeted advice to revise your methods or explanation yourself.
- Before you start
- Mentors do not choose or complete projects, or provide laboratory access. Prepare your design and focused questions first. Register for online meetings and confirm current arrangements and any costs.
CompetitionPaid
Youth Innovation Showcase
Science Fair Foundation BC · Youth Innovation Showcase
- What it is
- An online STEM competition for ideas that address a personal or community challenge, from concept to tested prototype.
- Who it’s for
- Youth aged 12–19 on August 10, 2026 who meet BC or Yukon residency rules.
- Why explore it
- Explain an innovation clearly enough for others to assess it.
- What students complete or take away
- Submit videos, an innovation report and project materials.
- Before you start
- 2026 registration closes September 28; the fee is CAD 25. Enter alone or in a pair. Two age categories are assessed separately. Check submission and guardian-consent requirements; future editions have different dates.
ResearchPaid
Science Fair Accelerator
Science Fair Foundation BC · Science Fair Accelerator
- What it is
- Six sessions with mentor feedback to improve an existing science-fair project’s design, testing and presentation.
- Who it’s for
- Grades 7–12 students with a developed idea and plans to enter a BC or Yukon regional fair.
- Why explore it
- Apply more rigorous methods to your own project.
- What students complete or take away
- Improve your research plan, experiments or prototype testing and presentation.
- Before you start
- Fall 2026 applications closed August 31. That cohort costs CAD 100 per project; the site lists CAD 450 from 2027. Watch for the next intake. Students must arrive with their own developed idea.
Funding & scholarshipsFree
BC & Yukon STEM Project Grants
Science Fair Foundation BC · STEM Grants
- What it is
- Small grants for youth project materials, research, equipment access and eligible science-fair costs.
- Who it’s for
- BC and Yukon students aged 9–18 with a defined STEM project need.
- Why explore it
- Turn a project need into a clear, realistic budget.
- What students complete or take away
- Prepare a proposal and budget; use approved funding for eligible expenses.
- Before you start
- Student grants are CAD 50–200; the next round is scheduled to open September 14, 2026. A separate educator Classroom Grant offers up to CAD 500, but its 2026 intake is closed. Funding is not automatic.
Funding & scholarshipsFree
Rick & Amanda Hansen Scholarship
Rick & Amanda Hansen Scholarship for Youth with Disabilities
- What it is
- Support for eligible youth with disabilities entering full-time study at publicly funded Canadian post-secondary institutions.
- Who it’s for
- Eligible Canadian citizens or permanent residents, including school-leavers preparing for post-secondary study.
- Why explore it
- Include practical financial support in your education planning.
- What students complete or take away
- Prepare application documents, a study plan and required verification.
- Before you start
- 2026–27 applications are closed. That round required applicants to be under 30 on May 15, 2026, qualify for domestic tuition and meet limits on other awards. Funding can reach CAD 10,000 annually, CAD 40,000 total. Check full rules and future dates.
CompetitionFree
Rick Hansen Difference Maker Awards
Rick Hansen Foundation · Difference Maker of the Year Awards
- What it is
- Recognition for youth improving disability inclusion and accessibility in schools or communities.
- Who it’s for
- Canadian residents aged 5–18, individually or in youth groups, with completed action to describe.
- Why explore it
- Document the concrete changes a community initiative has made.
- What students complete or take away
- Prepare a nomination explaining the work, participation and impact.
- Before you start
- 2025–26 nominations are closed. Awards are CAD 500 for individuals and CAD 1,000 for groups or classrooms. Projects must meet disability-benefit criteria; self-nominations need an unrelated adult reference. Check the next edition separately.
ResearchPaid
BonaVia Computer Science Research
BonaVia Academic Research
AI, data science, human–computer interaction and computation
Partial list
ResearchPaid
BonaVia Humanities & Social Sciences Research
BonaVia Academic Research
Education, psychology, sociology, culture and public policy
Partial list
ResearchPaid
BonaVia Economics & Business Research
BonaVia Academic Research
Finance, economics, accounting, marketing and management
Partial list
ResearchPaid
BonaVia Science & Engineering Research
BonaVia Academic Research
Materials, engineering, physics, biomedicine and environmental science
Partial list
VolunteeringFree
Confirm eligibility
Youth Service and Micro-grants
Canada Service Corps
- What it is
- Join supervised service or design and deliver a community project of your own.
- Who it’s for
- Students ready to turn a community interest into sustained action.
- Why explore it
- It connects service hours with a problem, responsibility, budgeting and reflection.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a service experience or build a demonstrable community project.
- Before you start
- Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or youth with granted refugee status aged 12 to 30. Flexible placements require at least 120 hours; full-time placements typically require 30 hours per week for at least three consecutive months. Individual placements may add regional or thematic requirements.
CompetitionPaid
Canadian Intermediate / Senior Mathematics Contests
CIMC / CSMC
- What it is
- Solve short-answer mathematics problems that require reasoning to be shown.
- Who it’s for
- Students willing to practise consistently and review their reasoning.
- Why explore it
- It tests reasoning and mathematical communication, not speed alone.
- What students complete or take away
- Use the contest as a clear benchmark and review the reasoning behind each solution.
- Before you start
- Schools order and administer the contest; confirm annual dates and fees with CEMC.
CompetitionPaid
Beaver Computing Challenge
Beaver Computing Challenge
- What it is
- Solve logic, pattern and computational-thinking problems without prior coding.
- Who it’s for
- Middle and early high-school students who want to explore whether computational thinking holds their interest.
- Why explore it
- It offers an accessible way to experience computational thinking before committing to coding.
- What students complete or take away
- Use the challenge to gauge computational-thinking skills and identify what to learn next.
- Before you start
- School registration is required; annual contest and order dates change.
CompetitionPaid
Canadian Computing Competition
Canadian Computing Competition
- What it is
- Choose Junior or Senior and solve programming problems of increasing difficulty.
- Who it’s for
- Students with coding foundations who want to test their problem-solving under pressure.
- Why explore it
- Transparent rules and published problems support sustained practice over time.
- What students complete or take away
- Submit working code, receive a result and identify specific areas for improvement.
- Before you start
- School administered; Senior requires substantial preparation. Confirm annual dates.
ProgramFree
Confirm eligibility
Technovation Girls
Technovation Girls
- What it is
- Build and present an app, web product or AI solution around a real problem.
- Who it’s for
- Girls ready for sustained teamwork, real users and a concrete product outcome.
- Why explore it
- Technology, user research, business thinking and communication meet in one project.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a working solution, presentation materials and a team project experience.
- Before you start
- Competition submissions are limited to girls, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming youth aged 8 to 18, working alone or in teams of up to five. The curriculum is free for everyone, but students outside the competition eligibility cannot submit an entry.
ProgramPaid
Shad Canada
Shad Canada
- What it is
- A four-week immersive program in STEAM, design challenges, mentorship and peer learning.
- Who it’s for
- Students ready for a full-cycle, interdisciplinary peer experience.
- Why explore it
- It lets students test interests, resilience and problem-solving through intensive collaboration.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete team challenges, presentations and a substantial residential or online experience.
- Before you start
- For 2026, applicants must be completing Grade 10 or 11. International students may apply but are not eligible for Shad-funded aid or scholarships. For 2026, applicants must be completing Grade 10 or 11 and must attend the full program. International students may apply but are not eligible for Shad-funded aid or scholarships.
ProgramPaid
University of Toronto DEEP Summer Academy
DEEP Summer Academy
- What it is
- Study advanced engineering topics in week-long courses with published prerequisites.
- Who it’s for
- High-school students with a confirmed STEM interest and relevant foundations.
- Why explore it
- It helps distinguish broad enthusiasm for technology from interest in a specific engineering problem.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete course work and gain a more concrete view of an engineering field.
- Before you start
- Grade 9/10 courses require Grade 9 math and science by June. Grade 11/12 courses require Grade 11 math and science, including chemistry and physics, by June. A one-week course is not research; compare course fit, price and alternatives.
ResearchVaries
Canada-Wide Science Fair Pathway
Canada-Wide Science Fair
- What it is
- Begin through a regional STEM fair, develop research or engineering work, and defend it before judges.
- Who it’s for
- Students ready to pursue one question deeply, document the process and answer public questions.
- Why explore it
- It requires work that can be examined, not a claim of interest or attendance.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a report, display or prototype and a formal defence.
- Before you start
- Open to students in Grades 7–12 who advance from their regional STEM fair. National entry is not direct; confirm the regional pathway and rules first.
CompetitionFree
Ingenious+ Youth Innovation Challenge
Ingenious+
- What it is
- Develop a solution, prototype or action project around a community problem.
- Who it’s for
- Students with a problem or early idea who are ready to take initiative.
- Why explore it
- Problem definition, mentorship, funding and action meet in one innovation cycle.
- What students complete or take away
- Produce a prototype, project plan, presentation or launched community action.
- Before you start
- This is not a passive course; confirm the next cycle when announced.
ProgramVaries
FIRST Robotics Competition
FIRST Robotics Competition
- What it is
- Join a local team to design, build, program, fundraise, communicate and compete.
- Who it’s for
- High-school students ready for sustained team responsibility and hands-on work.
- Why explore it
- Real engineering constraints reveal collaboration, time and design judgment, not technical knowledge alone.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a robot subsystem, code, competition role or team operations outcome.
- Before you start
- Team culture and roles vary widely; confirm the depth of real student participation.
CompetitionVaries
NCF-Envirothon
NCF-Envirothon
- What it is
- Study ecology, water, soil, forestry and wildlife, then present as a team.
- Who it’s for
- Students drawn to environmental science, field observation and team problem-solving.
- Why explore it
- It moves textbook knowledge into the field and asks teams to form integrated judgments.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete field identification, knowledge challenges and a presentation on the annual issue.
- Before you start
- Provincial pathways differ; confirm local access, dates and fees.
ProgramVaries
JA Company Program
JA Company Program
- What it is
- Build a student company and make decisions about product, customers, budget and teamwork.
- Who it’s for
- Students who want to understand business by operating, not only studying concepts.
- Why explore it
- Real customers and team responsibilities make business judgment concrete.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a product, sales record, financial decisions and final presentation.
- Before you start
- Local cycles vary; confirm mentor involvement, meeting frequency and real responsibilities.
ProgramVaries
Confirm eligibility
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
Award Canada
- What it is
- Set and document long-term goals across skills, physical recreation, service and an adventurous journey.
- Who it’s for
- Young people aged 14–24 who want structure and continuity across existing activities.
- Why explore it
- Its non-competitive framework emphasizes personal progress and long-term self-management.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a Bronze, Silver or Gold level with a documented record of growth.
- Before you start
- For ages 14–24, with completion before the 25th birthday. Start through an Award Centre or Virtual Award Centre; confirm fees, activity arrangements and financial support with that route.
ProgramVaries
Youth Exchanges Canada
Youth Exchanges Canada
- What it is
- Take part in a reciprocal exchange with peers elsewhere in Canada and help plan, research and fundraise.
- Who it’s for
- Canadian youth aged 12–17 ready to host peers and experience another community.
- Why explore it
- Reciprocal hosting develops language, cultural understanding and independence through real relationships.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a reciprocal exchange, shared activities and cross-regional peer connection.
- Before you start
- Apply through a delivery organization or group; travel is supported, while local costs may remain.
ProgramVaries
Confirm eligibility
Explore Second Language Program
Explore
- What it is
- Join a three- to five-week English or French immersion experience in another part of Canada.
- Who it’s for
- Students 13+ who meet study-status and citizenship or permanent-residency rules.
- Why explore it
- An intensive language environment tests communication and adaptability better than occasional practice.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete an immersion course and gain practical language and cross-cultural experience.
- Before you start
- Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and have studied part-time or full-time for at least one term in the current school year. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, meet the host institution’s minimum age, and have studied part-time or full-time for at least one term in the current school year. Refugee status alone is not listed as eligible.
CompetitionPaid
Euclid Mathematics Contest
Euclid Mathematics Contest
- What it is
- Complete a senior mathematics contest requiring full reasoning and written communication.
- Who it’s for
- Grade 12 and advanced younger students seeking a rigorous test of their problem-solving skills.
- Why explore it
- Published past problems and solutions support a transparent long-term practice path.
- What students complete or take away
- Produce a contest paper that can be reviewed problem by problem.
- Before you start
- Usually school registered; confirm annual dates, order deadlines and fees.
CompetitionPaid
Fryer / Galois / Hypatia Mathematics Contests
Fryer / Galois / Hypatia Contests
- What it is
- Written mathematics challenges for Grades 9–11 that emphasize solution process.
- Who it’s for
- Students moving from multiple-choice work toward complete mathematical explanation.
- Why explore it
- Grade-specific levels let students practise clear explanation at an appropriate challenge.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a written solution set and identify gaps in reasoning and communication.
- Before you start
- School ordered; select the grade-appropriate contest and confirm annual details.
CompetitionVaries
CyberTitan Youth Cybersecurity Competition
CyberTitan
- What it is
- Teams find and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities in simulated operating systems.
- Who it’s for
- Middle and secondary students interested in cybersecurity, systems and team defence.
- Why explore it
- The scenarios approximate real defensive thinking and test detail, teamwork and persistence.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete multiple online defence rounds and potentially reach the Canadian finals.
- Before you start
- A school or community coach is required; registration, fees and equipment change by season.
CompetitionVaries
Skills Canada Competition Pathway
Skills Canada National Competition
- What it is
- Enter provincial skills competitions and complete timed hands-on tasks in skilled trades and technology.
- Who it’s for
- Hands-on students who want a real view of skilled-trade and technology standards.
- Why explore it
- It turns career exploration from observation into assessable performance.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a professional task, work sample or provincial/national competition experience.
- Before you start
- Entry begins with the provincial organization; categories, eligibility, fees and dates vary.
CompetitionPaid
Ontario DECA Business Case Competitions
Ontario DECA
- What it is
- Complete case analysis, role plays or written projects in marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, law and management.
- Who it’s for
- Grade 9–12 Ontario students drawn to business problems, speaking and time-bound judgment.
- Why explore it
- Cases require students to turn concepts into live judgment and persuasive communication.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a case presentation, written project, or regional, provincial and international competition experience.
- Before you start
- Open to Ontario students in Grades 9–12. Registration must go through a school chapter and Chapter Advisor, and the school may add selection, capacity and commitment rules. Registration must go through the student’s school DECA chapter and Chapter Advisor. Schools may set chapter size, selection and commitment rules; membership, regional and provincial costs are separate.
CompetitionVaries
Confirm eligibility
Future Business Leaders of Canada Competitions
Future Business Leaders of Canada
- What it is
- Prepare for national competitions across business, finance, entrepreneurship, technology and leadership, with optional training through a school or community chapter.
- Who it’s for
- Canadian high-school students who want to test business knowledge, communication and teamwork through competition.
- Why explore it
- It turns a broad business interest into concrete work that can be practised, presented and judged.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete event preparation, a competition submission or live performance, and a business and leadership experience worth reviewing.
- Before you start
- Open to Canadian high-school students. Students may join a school or community chapter, but chapter membership is not required for the national conference; confirm the current registration window. A school or community chapter can provide training, but chapter membership is not required to compete at the Canadian National Leadership Conference. Chapter and individual registration windows change each year.
CompetitionVaries
Confirm eligibility
Target Alpha Financial Literacy and Investment Competitions
Target Alpha Canada
- What it is
- Enter stock research and pitch, simulated trading, or financial-planning case competitions that turn financial knowledge into decisions judges can examine.
- Who it’s for
- High-school students interested in finance, investing, business analysis or financial planning who are ready to research and explain their judgment.
- Why explore it
- It goes beyond terminology by asking students to support choices with evidence and respond to industry judges.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a stock pitch, trading strategy or team financial-planning proposal and gain a national competition experience.
- Before you start
- Open to high-school students. Team format, cost, online or in-person delivery, and registration timing vary by competition and must be confirmed for the current season. Some events may be online or hybrid. Team format, fees, registration and season dates change each year, so do not rely on a prior cycle.
EventPaid
Confirm eligibility
Canada Model United Nations
Canada Model United Nations
- What it is
- Represent a country at a national-level MUN conference in Toronto through position research, committee debate, negotiation and resolution writing.
- Who it’s for
- Current secondary-school students who want to build global-issue research, public speaking, negotiation and real-time judgment.
- Why explore it
- It asks students to build workable consensus across different positions, not simply state their own views.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a position paper, committee speeches and negotiation, gaining a full diplomatic simulation experience.
- Before you start
- Open worldwide to current secondary-school students with no MUN experience required. Students may register with a delegation or independently; delegations require a chaperone, while independent delegates do not. Open worldwide to current secondary-school students with no prior experience required. Students may attend with a school delegation or independently. Delegations require a chaperone; independent delegates do not. Meals are not included in the fee.
EventPaid
Confirm eligibility
McGill SSUNS High School Model United Nations Conference
Secondary Schools’ United Nations Symposium
- What it is
- Join a large high-school MUN conference organised by McGill students, researching issues, negotiating and building resolutions across varied committees.
- Who it’s for
- High-school or Cégep students ready to develop research, diplomacy, leadership and public speaking in a large, diverse delegate environment.
- Why explore it
- Committees at different levels and formats give both newer and experienced delegates a clear, demanding role.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete pre-conference research, committee negotiation and formal speaking while building a cross-school MUN experience.
- Before you start
- Open to high-school and Cégep delegates. The 2026 conference is in Montréal; confirm delegation steps, fees, deadlines and financial aid through the current MUNager page. SSUNS 2026 runs November 12–15, 2026 in Montréal, with registration now open. Use MUNager for delegation steps, fees, deadlines and financial-aid details.
CompetitionVaries
HOSA Canada Health Science Competitions
HOSA Canada
- What it is
- Prepare and compete in health science, clinical knowledge, leadership or team events.
- Who it’s for
- High-school students exploring medicine, health science or public health.
- Why explore it
- It turns a broad interest in medicine into knowledge, skill and communication tasks.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete focused preparation, a competition performance and a clearer view of health fields.
- Before you start
- Confirm provincial or school access, event rules, fees and annual timing.
ProgramVaries
FIRST Tech Challenge
FIRST Tech Challenge
- What it is
- Small teams design, build and program a robot for alliance-based competition.
- Who it’s for
- Students who want robotics in a smaller-team format than FRC.
- Why explore it
- Repeated testing makes engineering design, code and team decisions visible.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a working robot, engineering record, code and competition experience.
- Before you start
- Find or form a local team; costs and season schedules vary by region.
CompetitionFree
Poetry In Voice Recitation Competition
Poetry In Voice
- What it is
- Choose from the official anthology, memorize poems and perform through school and later rounds.
- Who it’s for
- Grades 7–12 students developing textual interpretation, voice and performance.
- Why explore it
- Memorization is not the endpoint; value comes from interpreting language, rhythm and meaning.
- What students complete or take away
- Prepare two poems deeply, perform formally and receive adjudication.
- Before you start
- The Junior division is for Grades 7–9. The Senior division is for Grades 10–12, with competitors aged 18 or younger by the season’s stated date. A teacher typically runs the school round; confirm annual rules and submission dates.
ProgramPaid
Confirm eligibility
UBC Future Global Leaders
UBC Future Global Leaders
- What it is
- Take pre-university subject courses taught by UBC faculty and affiliated instructors, on campus or online.
- Who it’s for
- Students aged 15–18 who have completed Grade 10 and want to try a specific university subject.
- Why explore it
- A subject-specific course gives students a clearer view of academic fit than a general campus experience.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a course, receive a letter of completion and gain a real view of subject demands.
- Before you start
- Paid program; courses, housing, availability and deadlines vary by session.
ProgramPaid
UBC Sauder Business Academy
UBC Sauder Business Academy
- What it is
- Experience university business study through fundamentals, cases, team challenges and a final showcase.
- Who it’s for
- Students aged 15–18 seriously exploring business, finance, marketing or entrepreneurship.
- Why explore it
- Team cases and presentations show students whether they enjoy business judgment, beyond the university name alone.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a team project, business presentation and a concrete view of university study.
- Before you start
- Fees are high; compare curriculum, housing, currency, refund policy and alternatives.
ProgramPaid
McGill Summer Academy
McGill Summer Academy
- What it is
- Combine academic coursework, learning strategies, experiential activities and campus life in a two-week program.
- Who it’s for
- High-school students testing a subject and the rhythm of university learning.
- Why explore it
- The curriculum and application requirements help families judge readiness.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete academic coursework, collaborative activities and a reflective campus experience.
- Before you start
- Admissions, curriculum and fees vary annually; review current awards and aid.
ProgramPaid
Dalhousie Summer Academy
Dalhousie Summer Academy
- What it is
- Explore academic interests, English learning and future-ready skills in a three-week pre-university program.
- Who it’s for
- Students seeking a Canadian campus experience and stronger academic communication or global skills.
- Why explore it
- A defined academic stream gives students more useful evidence than a campus visit alone.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete coursework, interdisciplinary activities and an early test of university learning.
- Before you start
- Paid residential program; confirm English requirements, curriculum, fees and availability.
ProgramFree
Confirm eligibility
Quantum School for Young Students
QSYS
- What it is
- Explore quantum information through live lectures, discussion, problem-solving and mentoring.
- Who it’s for
- Canadian Grade 11–12 students with strong mathematics and genuine curiosity about quantum science.
- Why explore it
- It moves abstract curiosity into real mathematics, physics and researcher interaction.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete an intensive program, problem sets and a foundation in quantum concepts.
- Before you start
- The 2026 core program is online, with an optional lab day for Waterloo-area students. The current public page does not state grade or residency eligibility, so confirm the active application criteria. Free and selective; application is required, with exceptional Grade 10 students sometimes considered.
EventFree
Perimeter Institute GoPhysics! Workshops
GoPhysics!
- What it is
- Use high-school physics to explore modern physics through interactive workshops.
- Who it’s for
- High-school students testing deeper interest in physics before a long commitment.
- Why explore it
- A short, focused experience tests genuine curiosity at low commitment.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete modern-physics activities and leave with questions and resources for further study.
- Before you start
- Dates and formats vary; check the student outreach page for current offerings.
CompetitionVaries
Canadian Physics Olympiad Pathway
Canadian Physics Olympiad
- What it is
- Solve advanced theoretical physics problems through Canada’s national selection pathway.
- Who it’s for
- High-school students with strong physics and mathematics foundations ready for sustained training.
- Why explore it
- It offers a demanding benchmark for students who have already developed substantial depth in physics.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete advanced preparation and contest papers, with possible national-team selection.
- Before you start
- Eligibility and selection rules are strict; review the current CAP guidance.
CompetitionPaid
Canadian Chemistry Contest
Canadian Chemistry Contest
- What it is
- Complete a national contest spanning core high-school chemistry and integrated reasoning.
- Who it’s for
- Students pursuing chemistry who want to test conceptual connections and consistency.
- Why explore it
- A common national paper provides a clear benchmark for planning further study.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a contest paper, result and focused review, with further pathways for top students.
- Before you start
- Usually organised by a school teacher; confirm eligibility, fees and annual dates.
CompetitionVaries
Canadian Biology Olympiad
Canadian Biology Olympiad
- What it is
- Test advanced biology understanding through theory assessment and national-team selection.
- Who it’s for
- High-school students with systematic biology study who can connect topics.
- Why explore it
- It distinguishes recall from the ability to analyse biological systems across topics.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete national-level preparation, with possible training-camp or international selection.
- Before you start
- Eligibility, school registration and testing arrangements change annually.
CompetitionVaries
Canadian Geographic Challenge
Canadian Geographic Challenge
- What it is
- Begin through a classroom or school challenge covering physical, human and current-event geography.
- Who it’s for
- Students interested in maps, environment, social issues and global connections.
- Why explore it
- It asks students to connect places, systems and current events rather than memorize facts.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a school or national challenge and identify gaps in geographic understanding.
- Before you start
- Teacher registration is typical; confirm annual divisions, dates and fees.
ProgramFree
Loran Award
Loran Scholars Foundation
- What it is
- A multi-stage application and interview process assessing character, service and leadership potential.
- Who it’s for
- Graduating Canadian students with sustained service and responsibility.
- Why explore it
- The process asks students to explain choices, commitments and growth with concrete evidence.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a substantial application and interview process; selected scholars receive funding and development support.
- Before you start
- More activities are not inherently better; confirm current eligibility and deadlines.
ProgramFree
Schulich Leader Scholarships
Schulich Leader Scholarships
- What it is
- High schools nominate STEM students, who then apply through partner universities.
- Who it’s for
- Graduating students with clear evidence in STEM, entrepreneurship or community leadership.
- Why explore it
- School nomination requires students to connect outcomes, responsibility and direction clearly.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete school nomination and university applications; selected students receive undergraduate STEM funding.
- Before you start
- School nomination limits and annual procedures are strict; ask the school early.
ProgramPaid
Forum for Young Canadians National Summit
Forum for Young Canadians
- What it is
- Explore Canadian democracy and public decision-making through simulations, visits and dialogue in Ottawa.
- Who it’s for
- Canadian youth aged 15–18 curious about policy, leadership and social issues.
- Why explore it
- It brings civic learning into real institutions, competing viewpoints and collaborative decision-making.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a week-long immersion, policy simulations and national peer connections.
- Before you start
- Paid, with bursaries available; applications, fees and sessions change annually.
CompetitionVaries
Confirm eligibility
Canada AI Olympiad 2026/27
Canada AI Olympiad (CAIO)
- What it is
- A two-part national qualifier tests AI foundations and applied problem solving across Python, mathematics, machine learning and algorithmic thinking.
- Who it’s for
- Full-time students in Grades 9 through 12 who already have foundations in Python and mathematics and are ready for structured preparation.
- Why explore it
- It tests understanding of models, data and problem solving rather than familiarity with generative AI tools alone.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a demanding AI skills assessment; selected students may be invited to the January 2027 national training camp and later team selection.
- Before you start
- Registration closes November 5, 2026, and the qualifier takes place November 8. The official site gives conflicting information about the opening date, so confirm availability and fees before registering.
VolunteeringFree
Confirm eligibility
Young Canadians’ Parliament
Young Canadians’ Parliament
- What it is
- Learn about children’s rights, democracy and community advocacy through a year-long program.
- Who it’s for
- Youth under 18 living in Canada who want to engage with public issues.
- Why explore it
- It moves from expressing opinions to understanding rights, listening and sustained advocacy.
- What students complete or take away
- Take part in learning, peer discussion and sustained advocacy while practising evidence-based public communication.
- Before you start
- Timing changes; confirm the current application, commitment and format.
VolunteeringFree
United for Literacy Program Volunteer
United for Literacy
- What it is
- With staff training and support, help plan, coordinate, deliver and evaluate literacy programs for children, youth or adults.
- Who it’s for
- People over 14 living in Canada who communicate well in English or French and can support learners consistently.
- Why explore it
- Good literacy support is not about doing work for someone. It helps a learner build understanding, expression and confidence to continue.
- What students complete or take away
- Take on tutoring or program support in a local placement while learning preparation, communication, observation and feedback.
- Before you start
- Roles, delivery format and commitment vary by region. Confirm current openings with the local office.
VolunteeringFree
WILD Outside Youth Conservation Service
Canadian Wildlife Federation
- What it is
- Join a local group for outdoor exploration, nature learning and hands-on conservation service in the community.
- Who it’s for
- Youth aged 13–18 who want to spend time outdoors and contribute to conservation with peers.
- Why explore it
- It moves an interest in nature into observation, teamwork and practical action, while showing that conservation takes patience and continuity.
- What students complete or take away
- Contribute to local conservation or community-service projects while building outdoor skills and ecological judgment over time.
- Before you start
- The program runs year-round in selected Canadian communities. Participants arrange local transportation, and those under 18 need guardian consent.
VolunteeringVaries
Confirm eligibility
Ocean Wise Youth to Sea
Ocean Wise
- What it is
- Combine learning journeys, skills workshops and an ocean service project that students help design and deliver in their community.
- Who it’s for
- Youth aged 15–18 living in Canada who can participate consistently and move a project forward over several months.
- Why explore it
- Students do more than attend a one-off cleanup. They examine a problem, shape a response, coordinate resources and reflect on what worked.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete learning journeys and workshops, then carry a concrete ocean service project forward independently or with peers.
- Before you start
- For ages 15–18, with 120 service hours over eight months. If you are interested in the 2026–27 program, ask Ocean Wise whether applications are open and confirm local dates, costs and available places.
VolunteeringFree
Confirm eligibility
Habitat Youth Skills Building
Habitat for Humanity Canada
- What it is
- Local Habitat teams provide free hands-on learning in construction, retail or trades within community housing work.
- Who it’s for
- Youth aged 12–30 who enjoy hands-on work and want guided experience with trades and community housing.
- Why explore it
- It moves career exploration beyond imagination and into tools, safety, teamwork and completing a real task.
- What students complete or take away
- Depending on the local program, contribute to a build, ReStore or skills training and gain a concrete view of trades and community service.
- Before you start
- Local Habitats run the program, so roles and age arrangements vary. Confirm duties, training and current availability before applying.
VolunteeringFree
Amnesty Youth and Student Groups
Amnesty International Canada
- What it is
- Start or join a school-based youth group, learn about human-rights issues and plan action with peers.
- Who it’s for
- Students who want to understand public issues carefully, verify information, listen to lived experience and organise with others.
- Why explore it
- It gives students a structure for sustained learning and collaboration rather than treating reposting slogans as the whole of activism.
- What students complete or take away
- Research a defined issue, discuss it carefully, plan an activity and take responsibility for public communication within a team.
- Before you start
- Student groups can still register. National Youth Organizer recruitment has been paused, so do not treat the two routes as interchangeable.
VolunteeringFree
VPL STEAM Buddies for Teens
Vancouver Public Library
- What it is
- Teens are paired with children in Grades 2–4 and guide informal STEAM exploration with tools such as LEGO, Osmo and Sphero.
- Who it’s for
- Vancouver residents aged 13–18 who can attend training and every session in a program cycle.
- Why explore it
- Helping a child experiment asks the volunteer to explain ideas clearly, observe carefully and adjust to the learner in front of them.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a series of buddy sessions with library support while practising curiosity-led facilitation and communication.
- Before you start
- Places open by branch and session. The program is limited to Vancouver residents, with applications due at least one week before the start and training on the first date.
VolunteeringFree
Calgary Public Library Reading Buddies
Calgary Public Library
- What it is
- Read with a child in Grades 1–3, play literacy games and encourage reading in a staff-facilitated group setting.
- Who it’s for
- Students in Grades 7–12 with strong literacy skills who can attend a full six-week cycle and support a child patiently.
- Why explore it
- One-to-one reading may look simple, but it requires listening, explanation and helping a child want to keep trying.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete training and a six-week cycle of 1.5-hour weekly sessions while practising facilitation, communication and reliability.
- Before you start
- Openings vary by branch. Review the current location and full schedule before applying, and make sure you can attend every date.
VolunteeringFree
Edmonton Public Library Reading Buddies
Edmonton Public Library
- What it is
- Read, talk and play literacy games one-to-one with a child in Grades 2–4, with guidance from library staff.
- Who it’s for
- Youth aged 13–17 with strong English communication, a love of reading and patience with younger children.
- Why explore it
- The role teaches volunteers how to support a child without taking over the work.
- What students complete or take away
- Attend required training, guide reading, games and conversation, and practise being a reliable role model in every session.
- Before you start
- Recruitment depends on branch and session. Check current locations, dates and mandatory training before applying.
VolunteeringFree
Toronto Public Library Teen Councils
Toronto Public Library
- What it is
- Meet regularly with library staff and other teens to advise on spaces, services, collection promotion and teen programs, then complete projects together.
- Who it’s for
- Toronto teens who can share ideas, listen to feedback and help turn discussion into action.
- Why explore it
- This is not a one-off event. It lets students practise advising, collaborating and following through inside a real public institution.
- What students complete or take away
- Attend twice-monthly meetings totalling about two to four hours and take responsibility for planning, promotion or delivery in group projects.
- Before you start
- Ask a participating branch whether it is accepting new members. Meeting times and projects are set locally.
VolunteeringFree
Toronto Public Library Leading to Reading
Toronto Public Library
- What it is
- Under library supervision, meet a child in Grades 1–6 for one hour each week to read, write and play literacy-based games.
- Who it’s for
- Toronto teens who are fluent in written and spoken English, relate well to children and can attend consistently.
- Why explore it
- A sustained one-to-one relationship teaches responsibility, boundaries and feedback more deeply than occasional event support.
- What students complete or take away
- After training, document weekly sessions, encourage reading and share progress with program staff and caregivers.
- Before you start
- Recruitment is ongoing. Accepted volunteers complete training and a Vulnerable Sector Check paid for by the library.
VolunteeringFree
Toronto Public Library Seniors E-Connect
Toronto Public Library
- What it is
- Teens are paired with older adults and help them practise basic computer and digital skills using content and guidance from library staff.
- Who it’s for
- Toronto youth aged 13–17 who can explain steps patiently and respect different learning speeds.
- Why explore it
- Teaching technology is not only knowing the device. It requires noticing where someone is stuck and finding a clearer explanation.
- What students complete or take away
- Attend scheduled sessions, help an older adult practise the material and share useful observations with library staff.
- Before you start
- Participating branches recruit by session. Confirm the location, dates and attendance commitment before applying.
VolunteeringVaries
Confirm eligibility
Toronto Zoo Student Ambassadors
Toronto Zoo
- What it is
- Engage visitors and children at interactive learning stations, special events or Zoo Camp while sharing wildlife and conservation information.
- Who it’s for
- Full-time students in Grades 9–12, aged 14–18, who enjoy public interaction and can work independently and reliably.
- Why explore it
- Students explain conservation to real visitors, receiving immediate feedback on whether their communication is clear, accurate and engaging.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete two days of training and contribute at least 30 hours during the year in interpretation, events or camp support.
- Before you start
- Recruitment is closed and is expected to reopen in late November 2026. Volunteers who turn 18 must pay for the required police check.
VolunteeringFree
Confirm eligibility
Island Health Step Up Youth Program
Island Health
- What it is
- Volunteer weekly at selected Vancouver Island hospitals or long-term care homes, supporting patients and residents while joining monthly healthcare career sessions.
- Who it’s for
- High-school students aged 15–18 in participating communities who can commit to weekly shifts across the school year.
- Why explore it
- Companionship, listening and confidentiality may look quiet, but they are real responsibilities and a meaningful way to test fit with care work.
- What students complete or take away
- After training, provide one-to-one or small-group social engagement and learn about clinical and non-clinical roles through career sessions.
- Before you start
- Fall 2026 recruitment is closed. The next cycle is 2027/28, with applications typically open March 1 to May 15.
VolunteeringFree
Confirm eligibility
Second Harvest Youth Volunteering
Second Harvest
- What it is
- Depending on current openings, help distribute rescued food, support warehouse work or pack food in cities across Canada.
- Who it’s for
- Students aged 16+ who care about food waste and are ready for practical logistics or packing work.
- Why explore it
- Students see how surplus food moves through sorting, transport and distribution into communities rather than remaining at the level of awareness.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete food-rescue, warehouse or packing tasks in a defined shift and understand the link between food safety, logistics and community need.
- Before you start
- Roles and cities change by season, and all volunteers must book in advance. The student minimum age is 16.
VolunteeringFree
Feed Nova Scotia Youth Warehouse Volunteering
Feed Nova Scotia
- What it is
- Help inspect, sort and box food or prepare orders in the Dartmouth warehouse that supports Nova Scotia’s food network.
- Who it’s for
- Youth aged 16–17 who can attend on weekdays and are willing to complete repetitive but necessary warehouse tasks.
- Why explore it
- It shows students how food-support networks operate and why reliable execution matters as much as enthusiasm.
- What students complete or take away
- With guardian consent, join warehouse shifts and support food organization and distribution preparation as needed.
- Before you start
- Youth aged 16–17 may volunteer independently with guardian consent. Warehouse shifts run on weekdays, and current availability must be confirmed by email.
VolunteeringFree
Confirm eligibility
Special Olympics BC Program Volunteer
Special Olympics British Columbia
- What it is
- Support coaches in regular local sport programs by helping with practices, activities and athletes with intellectual disabilities.
- Who it’s for
- Students aged 14+ who live, work or study in BC and can attend practices consistently across a season.
- Why explore it
- Inclusion is not a one-off event. It is learned through repeated practice, respectful communication and supporting each athlete’s progress.
- What students complete or take away
- After training, assist at practices and communicate with the head coach. Volunteers aged 16+ also complete the required background checks.
- Before you start
- Placements depend on local community needs in BC. Registration does not guarantee a specific sport or role.
VolunteeringFree
Earth Rangers ER Teens
Earth Rangers
- What it is
- Choose an environmental issue, design and carry out a local action, and use online tools, guidance and peer support along the way.
- Who it’s for
- Canadian youth aged 13–18 who want to turn an environmental interest into an action they own.
- Why explore it
- It asks students to identify a problem, make a plan and follow through rather than wait for a ready-made role.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete an environmental action, document the process and receive project recognition that may support volunteer-hour records.
- Before you start
- Participation is flexible year-round. Confirm volunteer-hour recognition with the student’s school in advance.
ProgramFree
Confirm eligibility
Hackergal National Ambassador and Learning Hub
Hackergal
- What it is
- Build coding and digital skills through a free online learning hub. Eligible high-school students can also apply to become National Ambassadors and lead community activities with mentorship.
- Who it’s for
- Students in Grades 9–12 who support girls and gender-diverse learners in technology and want to turn learning into leadership.
- Why explore it
- It brings technical learning, peer support and community leadership together for students ready to move from learning themselves to helping others learn.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete online skill-building; Ambassador participants also plan activities, build leadership experience and receive mentorship.
- Before you start
- The learning hub is free. National Ambassador recruitment runs by cohort, so confirm the current application window and requirements.
VolunteeringFree
Confirm eligibility
Learning Buddies Network Volunteer Tutoring
Learning Buddies Network
- What it is
- High-school volunteers receive training and are matched with elementary students for sustained one-to-one reading or math tutoring.
- Who it’s for
- Students in Grades 10–12 in participating BC communities who can attend consistently and prepare carefully for tutoring.
- Why explore it
- Real tutoring develops patience, observation and explanation. Volunteers must adjust to a child’s response rather than simply repeat an answer.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete training and sustained tutoring, earn volunteer hours and receive detailed participation recognition under program guidelines.
- Before you start
- For senior high-school and older volunteers. English communication, a full-term commitment and screening are required; training is provided. Confirm grades, location, online/in-person format and recruitment through the current application.
ProgramFree
EcoSchools Canada Certification
EcoSchools Canada
- What it is
- Students and educators form a school team, choose environmental actions, measure their impact and submit for annual certification.
- Who it’s for
- Students who want to lead sustained environmental action at school and can involve an educator or administrator.
- Why explore it
- It turns a one-off environmental activity into a school system that can be planned, measured and continued, while teaching collaboration across roles.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a school action plan, impact records and a certification submission that can be handed to the next student team.
- Before you start
- Participation is free for publicly funded and First Nations, Métis and Inuit schools in Canada. Students join through a school team.
ProgramFree
UNICEF Canada Youth Advocacy Program
UNICEF Canada
- What it is
- Youth spend ten months online learning issue research, public communication and advocacy while developing an action plan of their own.
- Who it’s for
- Canadian youth aged 13–24 who care about children’s rights or public issues and can commit 2–5 hours per month.
- Why explore it
- Students learn to research an issue, explain it clearly, organise action and communicate with decision-makers.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete an advocacy plan, public-communication work and peer collaboration while gaining a concrete understanding of policy and civic action.
- Before you start
- Applications for the 2026 cohort are closed. The 2027 intake is expected to open in November 2026.
CompetitionFree
Canadian National Brain Bee
Canadian National Brain Bee
- What it is
- Students test their neuroscience knowledge through a local Brain Bee, with winners advancing to national and international levels.
- Who it’s for
- Students in Grades 9–12 who are interested in the brain, psychology, medicine or life sciences and willing to prepare systematically.
- Why explore it
- Published study materials and staged competitions offer a low-cost way to explore neuroscience and understand what the field requires beyond memorization.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete structured preparation and a local competition, with advancing students continuing to national or international levels.
- Before you start
- Official study tutoring is free and many local competitions are free. The 2026 cycle has ended; check the local chapter for the next dates.
CompetitionFree
North American Computational Linguistics Open Competition
NACLO
- What it is
- Students solve pattern and data problems drawn from real languages without needing prior linguistics or programming study.
- Who it’s for
- High-school students who enjoy logic, language, codes, mathematics or computational thinking and are comfortable with unfamiliar information.
- Why explore it
- It brings language and rigorous reasoning into the same challenge, making it a strong test of interdisciplinary interest rather than subject memorization.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete open practice problems and the competition, with top performers advancing to the invitational stage and further selection.
- Before you start
- There is no registration fee, but students must participate through a host school or site. The 2026 cycle has ended.
ResearchFree
Alberta Innovates High School Youth Researcher Summer Program
Alberta Innovates HYRS
- What it is
- Grade 11 students join an Alberta university lab for six weeks of mentored health and medical research, ending with a research presentation.
- Who it’s for
- Alberta Grade 11 students with a serious interest in health research who can commit fully to six weeks of laboratory work.
- Why explore it
- Students encounter research questions, lab standards, data and team collaboration, gaining an honest test of fit with real research.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete laboratory research, research communication and a final symposium presentation while receiving a CAD 3,000 stipend.
- Before you start
- The 2026 program runs July 2 to August 13 and applications are closed. Confirm eligibility and dates for the next cycle.
ResearchFree
Confirm eligibility
WISEST Summer Research Program
University of Alberta WISEST
- What it is
- Grade 11 girls and gender-diverse students work as paid research assistants in University of Alberta STEM teams for six weeks.
- Who it’s for
- Grade 11 students who want to test a STEM direction through real research and meet the current residency and identity criteria.
- Why explore it
- It gives students a real team, defined responsibilities and feedback rather than a lab tour or lecture series.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete six weeks of research-assistant work, research documentation and a final presentation, with compensation.
- Before you start
- Recruitment runs annually and the 2026 cohort is underway. Confirm region, disciplines and application requirements for the next cycle.
ProgramPaid
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Global Ideas Institute
University of Toronto Munk School
- What it is
- Teams of four to six students and a teacher champion spend the school year researching a global challenge and developing a proposal with University of Toronto mentors and experts.
- Who it’s for
- Students in Grades 10–12 who want to research a complex issue across disciplines and sustain teamwork through a final presentation.
- Why explore it
- It asks students to work from evidence, stakeholders and implementation conditions rather than offer an idea that merely sounds well intentioned.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete issue research, a team solution, mentor sessions and a final symposium presentation.
- Before you start
- Fees are CAD 50 per public-school student and CAD 150 per private-school student. The 2026/27 timeline has not yet been posted, and the final event is typically held in Toronto.
CompetitionVaries
Ethics Bowl Canada
Ethics Bowl Canada
- What it is
- School teams of three to seven students analyse real ethical cases, engage in dialogue and respond to questions, with judges assessing reasoning and listening rather than debate tactics.
- Who it’s for
- Students in Grades 9–12 who enjoy social questions and are willing to understand opposing views seriously.
- Why explore it
- It develops the ability to explain reasons, revise a view and respond to others under uncertainty, closer to real public discussion than simply winning an argument.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete case preparation, a regional Ethics Bowl and judged dialogue, with qualifying teams advancing nationally.
- Before you start
- Schools form teams and register through a regional organiser. Fees and waiver policies vary by region.
VolunteeringVaries
Confirm eligibility
Ontario Nature Youth Council
Ontario Nature
- What it is
- Youth members plan conservation actions, events, presentations and public communication around biodiversity and environmental policy with organizational support.
- Who it’s for
- Ontario high-school students who care about nature and policy and can commit to meetings and shared projects.
- Why explore it
- It moves students from personal environmental habits into teamwork, public communication and practical conservation action.
- What students complete or take away
- Contribute to council projects, public events and conservation initiatives while building verifiable responsibility and volunteer hours.
- Before you start
- Applications for 2025/26 are closed. The website does not list a standard participation fee, so confirm the next intake’s timing and terms.
CompetitionVaries
Confirm eligibility
NASA International Space Apps Challenge
NASA
- What it is
- Join a local or virtual two-day hackathon and use open data from NASA and partner agencies to build solutions for Earth and space challenges.
- Who it’s for
- Students interested in science, coding, design, data or storytelling who want to build a prototype with a team under time pressure.
- Why explore it
- Real open data and interdisciplinary challenges give different skills a place on the same project and test whether a team can turn an idea into a demonstrable result quickly.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a team prototype, presentation and local judging, with selected projects advancing to global review.
- Before you start
- The next global challenge is scheduled for November 14–15, 2026. Local sites may differ in age rules, format and fees.
ProgramVaries
Confirm eligibility
Girls E-Mentorship
Girls E-Mentorship
- What it is
- High-school girls build direction and career confidence through nine months of one-to-one mentorship, weekly touchpoints, monthly meetings and skills workshops.
- Who it’s for
- High-school girls facing socioeconomic barriers who want sustained career mentorship and live in a current service region.
- Why explore it
- A sustained relationship gives students time to ask real questions, try again and observe how a professional woman makes choices, offering more depth than a single talk.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete nine months of mentoring, five skills workshops and progress toward personal goals while building a career-support network.
- Before you start
- The 2026/27 intake remains open in Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge, while GTHA and Hamilton are closed. The website does not list a participation fee, so confirm before applying.
ProgramPaid
Confirm eligibility
CAGIS STEM Community for Girls and Gender-Diverse Youth
Canadian Association for Girls in Science
- What it is
- Students join eight to ten hands-on events each year through local or virtual chapters led by STEM professionals across scientific and engineering fields.
- Who it’s for
- Girls and gender-diverse youth who are still exploring STEM interests and want regular hands-on learning with professionals.
- Why explore it
- Regular hands-on experience across fields helps students compare interests more honestly than a one-time camp and gradually builds confidence in asking questions and experimenting.
- What students complete or take away
- Take part in year-round events, complete hands-on activities and gain a concrete view of multiple STEM fields and careers.
- Before you start
- Annual membership is CAD 75, with additional family members at CAD 35 and fee waivers available. Ages and formats vary by chapter.
ProgramFree
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Roots & Shoots Canada
Jane Goodall Institute of Canada
- What it is
- Design a youth-led project through four steps: get inspired, map the community, take action and celebrate impact, addressing biodiversity, environmental equity or climate issues.
- Who it’s for
- Students in Canada who have noticed an environmental or community issue and are ready to begin with a focused local action.
- Why explore it
- Students do more than join an existing activity. They practise observing a community, defining a problem, organising action and explaining the result.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a community map, action project and impact record, with eligible projects able to seek annual A.P.E. Fund support.
- Before you start
- The program is free. A.P.E. Fund application windows change annually, so confirm the current timeline and terms separately.
VolunteeringFree
Confirm eligibility
Youth Central Youth Volunteer Corps
Youth Central
- What it is
- Choose guided group volunteer projects across Calgary and surrounding communities, from one-day activities to ongoing service.
- Who it’s for
- Students aged 12–18 who are still in high school and want to explore different forms of service around their schedule.
- Why explore it
- Each project includes team leadership, a task briefing and guided reflection, making it a practical way to discover which community issues genuinely matter to the student.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete documented volunteer hours across different team projects, with a reference letter available after 20 hours.
- Before you start
- A parent or guardian must sign the waiver, and students arrange their own transportation. Some projects add age limits and places fill quickly.
VolunteeringFree
Confirm eligibility
Youth Assisting Youth Peer Mentor
Youth Assisting Youth
- What it is
- Build a one-to-one peer mentoring relationship with a young person aged 6–15 in Toronto or York Region, supported by training, ongoing guidance and activity resources.
- Who it’s for
- Youth aged 16–29 who live in Toronto or York Region and can commit about ten hours each month for one year.
- Why explore it
- The value of one-to-one mentoring comes from long-term reliability, listening and adapting support, not a short burst of enthusiasm at a single event.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete mentor training, a sustained match and activity records while building communication, leadership and critical-thinking skills.
- Before you start
- This is a one-year commitment, not a quick way to collect hours. Confirm the service area and current matching process before applying.
VolunteeringFree
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Scouts Canada Youth Volunteers
Scouts Canada
- What it is
- Volunteer with a local Scouts group, helping lead activities while holding a defined duty of care and safety responsibility for younger members.
- Who it’s for
- Youth aged 14–17 who can complete screening and training and serve consistently within a structured team.
- Why explore it
- This is more than lending a hand. It teaches activity preparation, safety standards and responsibility for younger participants.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete youth-volunteer training and sustained service, with experience in activity leadership, teamwork or roles such as Youth Commissioner.
- Before you start
- Non-members may apply, but a parent or guardian must register the youth and current screening and training requirements still apply. Local group capacity varies.
VolunteeringFree
Confirm eligibility
Ducks Unlimited Canada Youth Volunteer
Ducks Unlimited Canada
- What it is
- Depending on local openings, support wetland-conservation events, community fundraising, public education or project and office work.
- Who it’s for
- Students who care about wetlands, wildlife or the environment and can complete role-specific training and attend reliably.
- Why explore it
- Conservation organizations need more than fieldwork. Events, education, communication and operations let students compare different ways of contributing through real roles.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete training, attendance and practical duties in a defined role while learning how nonprofit conservation work operates in a community.
- Before you start
- Roles and cities change. All volunteers under 18 need written guardian consent. Those under 14 require a family member or guardian, while youth aged 14–17 must be accompanied by another adult volunteer or staff member.
ProgramFree
Confirm eligibility
Canadian Red Cross Resilience Fund
Canadian Red Cross
- What it is
- Design and deliver a youth-led community project with CAD 500–5,000 in funding, learning tools and support from the Canadian Red Cross.
- Who it’s for
- Youth aged 16–30 who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or have refugee status in Canada and have a community issue or action idea.
- Why explore it
- Students define the project, manage a budget, deliver activities and report results, creating a real practice ground for leadership and responsibility.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a youth-led community project, budget and results record, with verified volunteer hours and a certificate or letter of participation.
- Before you start
- For Cohort Three in 2026, applicants must attend an online information session by August 10 and apply by August 15. Applicants aged 16–18 need a parent or guardian involved in the application process.
ProgramFree
Confirm eligibility
WWF-Canada Living Planet @ School
WWF-Canada
- What it is
- Educators lead hands-on environmental action in the school community and record student impact from the school to the national level.
- Who it’s for
- Secondary students who want to lead school-based action for biodiversity, climate or wildlife and can involve an educator or school.
- Why explore it
- It turns environmental concern into practical school action and asks students to record results, showing how focused local work adds up to wider impact.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete a school environmental activity, implementation record and impact data, while educators can access activities and project grants.
- Before you start
- Students do not register the school independently. An educator must involve the class or school, and current activity and grant terms should be checked on the program site.
VolunteeringVaries
Confirm eligibility
Rotary Interact Clubs
Rotary International
- What it is
- Students aged 12–18 plan at least two service projects each year through a school or community Interact club, working with a local Rotary club.
- Who it’s for
- Students who want sustained community service and are ready to learn meetings, roles, fundraising and project delivery.
- Why explore it
- A strong Interact club gives students meaningful responsibility for planning and delivering service projects. Its value depends on how much decision-making and delivery students truly own.
- What students complete or take away
- Complete at least two service projects and build clear evidence through planning, communication, fundraising or team leadership.
- Before you start
- Students join or create a club through a school or local Rotary club. Fees, program quality and availability vary by community.
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