What's your favorite summer event run by HRM?
Youth Leaders in HRM
The youth profiled in here are excellent examples of the positive contribution that HRM Youth are making within their communities. Keep up the great work!
Raynah Tully, Middle Musquodoboit
Raynah Tully,
Middle Musquodoboit
How are you involved in HRM recreation?
I’m a day camp leader for kids ages 3-5 and 6-12.
How did you start with HRM recreation?
I found out about the job from a previous day camp
leader and I have loved it ever since!
What are some of the benefits of being a
youth leader or being involved in a youth
group?
Just knowing that you are making a difference in
someone’s life is very rewarding.
Why should physical activity be important
in your life?
Physical activity is important because it keeps you healthy, fit, alert and happy.
Any words of advice to other
youth to get them involved in
recreation…
Recreation allows you to meet new
people and try new things. Get
involved!
Keith Lamontagne, Halifax
How are you involved in HRM recreation?
I am a lifeguard, junior lifeguard leader, and water safety instructor. I also
lead the summer aquatic camp at the wave pool.
How did you start with HRM recreation?
I started as a lifeguard and water safety instructor after taking lessons at
the wave pool.
What are some of the benefits of being a youth leader or being
involved in a youth group?
It’s a rewarding experience to be able to teach kids new things and help
them become better individuals. When they do something well, it makes
you proud to be involved.
What have been some of your favourite experiences?
Taking the junior lifeguards to Kidston Lake and having them help with
fun day and working with the junior leaders planning the Laugh
Olympics were some of my best experiences.
Any words of advice to other youth to
get them involved in recreation…
Start by getting involved in activities
you enjoy or join up with a friend.
Once others see how much
fun you are having, they’ll
participate as well!
Carlos Beals, Dartmouth North
How are you involved in HRM recreation?
Currently, I am involved with HRM recreation as an
employee but also as a youth in my community!
How did you start with HRM recreation?
I started with Recreation as a young child at the age
of seven. The strong commitment of the instructors
inspired me to be a part of recreation’s team today.
What have been some of your favorite
experiences?
Some of my favorite experiences with community
recreation are the special events that are held for the
community members. It is a time for everyone to get
together, show off their talents and meet new people.
Why should physical activity be important in your
life?
Physical activity should be a part of everyone’s lives, at every
age. Physical Activity is one of the main elements of a healthy
body. I feel that doing physical activity allows your mind to focus
more and in addition you get higher grades in school!
Any words of advice to other youth to get them
involved in recreation?
Any person who enjoys the chance to play and to
have fun should be a part of recreation. If you
want to become more connected in your
community and meet new people then you
should be a part of recreation. Recreation is a
great opportunity for young people who want
to make a difference and have a say in what
goes on in their community.
Chris DeWolfe, Halifax
How are you involved in HRM recreation?
I am involved in HRM Recreation in many
ways. In the summer, as well as during March
Break, I enjoy being a day camp leader. I also
teach a wrestling and fitness class for HRM
Recreation.
What are some of the benefits of being a
youth leader or being involved in a youth
group?
My favourite thing about being a youth leader is
definitely working with children, because there is
never a dull moment. I get to have lots of fun and
no two days are ever the same.
What have been some of your favourite
experiences?
Some of my favourite experiences include meeting the
children and knowing I have helped them in one way or
another. I have also had so many great memories such as going
to the beach, turning the recreation centre into a haunted house,
and receiving artwork from the children.
Why should physical activity be important in your life?
Physical activity should be important in your life because not only is
it good for your physical well being, but it also improves your self
confidence and ability to work with others. You are able to
meet new people, find activities that you love to do and
stay in shape. Physical activity has enabled me to do all
of those things.
Any words of advice to other youth to
get them involved in recreation…
It is such an awesome experience,
you should definitely give it a shot.
Recreation has had a major impact
on my life and I am so glad that
I am involved with it. There is
something for everyone, so find
out what recreation has to
offer you.
Brandon Christian, Halifax
How did you start with HRM recreation?
I started when the Junior Leader Coordinator came to my school and talked about the program. Since then, this will be my third year in the Youth Leadership Program!
What are some of the benefits of being a youth
leader or being involved in a youth group?
Some of the benefits of being a youth leader are meeting
new people and getting to go to places like the beach, the
pool or going outside to play sports like ultimate frisbee.
What have been some of your favourite
experiences?
Some of my favourite experiences were making new
friends, going to cool places, doing fun activities such
as geo caching and bowling, and knowing that there is
a child looking up at me.
Why should physical activity be important in
your life?
Physical activity is important to me because I enjoy
going out and doing things like snow boarding,
mountain biking, hanging out with friends or
just taking a walk.
Any words of advice to
other youth to get them
involved in recreation…
I would recommend that youth
get involved in any sort of
recreation program because you
meet lots of new people and get
great opportunities!
Shawn Nicholson, Halifax
How are you involved in HRM recreation?
For the past few years I have volunteered during the summer as a
Junior Leader and then in the Youth Leadership Program at the
Needham Recreation Centre.
How did you start with HRM recreation?
I started as a participant at age four at a preschool program,
and throughout elementary school, I participated in many
different programs.
What are some of the benefits of being a youth leader or
being involved in a youth group?
A benefit of being a youth leader is that I am able to meet so
many great people in my community. As well, being a youth leader
has given me a sense of accomplishment and added responsibility.
What have been some of your favourite experiences?
Some of my favourite experiences include being with children on
day trips with the summer camps. I enjoy seeing the children enjoying
themselves and having lots of fun.
Why should physical activity be important in your
life?
Physical activity should be an important
part of everyone’s life. Physical activity is
an important part of a healthy lifestyle
and when you exercise, you feel
refreshed and energized. Physical
activity is also a great way to
release stress and help you
stay fit.
Any words of advice to
other youth to get them
involved in recreation ...
I recommend that all youth
get involved in recreation.
Recreation allows youth
to make new friends and
stay active. With HRM
Recreation’s vast array
of programs there is sure to be a
program for you!
Tyson Boyd, Middle Sackville
How did you start with HRM recreation?
Well, I heard of an opportunity for HRM youth to receive grants from Youthscape to change there communities through my friend at the
Sackville Boys and Girls Club . I remember thinking to myself, “Hmmm, I
bet I know some ways this place could be improved”. So my friend and
I came up with the idea for a music program at the B&GC, and to make
a long story short, we applied for the grant, got the grant, created Rock
Club and my life has never been the same since.
What are some of the benefits of being a youth leader or
being involved in a youth group?
I think the biggest thing for me is that there are always people to
support you in whatever it is you are doing, and eventually, you learn
to support them right back.
What have been some of your favourite experiences?
I think my favourite experience would have to be at the end of the first
day of Rock Club watching all the kids run up to their parents and
telling them that they wanted guitars or drums. It gave me a
sense of accomplishment.
Why should physical activity be
important in your life?
When you think about it, the body is like
a machine, except instead of wearing
down, it wears up. The body is the
most perfect machine, and you have
to keep making it stronger, or else
it will break down. Physical activity
can be done anywhere, it is never
impossible to get active. If you
choose organized sport, than there
are literally teams everywhere,
begging to be joined. If you’re not
into organizations, than you can
always go for a run, or climb a tree,
or go swimming.
Any words of advice to other
youth to get them involved in
recreation ...
The only limits we have are the ones we
place on ourselves, and there are a million and
one things to do. In fact, I challenge anyone who
reads this to go do something active right now!
