Katimavik (Inuktitut word): Meeting Place
Since 1977, Katimavik has offered more than 27,000 young Canadians a unique opportunity to develop new skills, to volunteer on community and environmental projects, meet people and make a difference in many Canadian communities. You’re interested? You’re not alone!
Each year, more than 1,000 young people aged 17 to 21 accept the challenge offered by the Katimavik experience. Divided in teams of 11, they travel across Canada from one community to the next in order to accomplish projects for non-profit organizations while discovering more about our country’s cultural diversity.
Over the course of the 9-month Katimavik experience, each team will live in 3 different Canadian cities/towns, one of which will be French-speaking, so that both francophones and anglophones get a shot at polishing a second language. The projects they work on are diverse and stimulating. Building hiking trails, organizing a festival, accompanying senior citizens on outings, teaching children to read, working for a community radio station – all of which are activities YOU could find yourself doing soon! Don’t miss out on this chance to build your resume and expand your horizons!
Have you recently finished high school? Are you still uncertain about the next step you’ll take? Or are you simply looking for an exciting, challenging and rewarding experience?
Updated – visit their web site: http://www.katimavik.org
Mission
As Canada’s leading national youth service program, Katimavik’s mission is to foster the personal development of our nation’s young people through a challenging program of volunteer community work, training and group interaction.
Background
Katimavik offers youth between the ages of 17 and 21 an exciting nine-month journey of selfdiscovery in three different regions of Canada. The program promotes the civic engagement of young Canadians and is based on the concept of service learning. Each participant contributes an average of 900 hours of volunteer work for non profit organizations.
Participants’ personal and professional development is fostered through volunteer work, group living and the learning program’s five basic components: developing leadership skills, official languages proficiency, protecting the environment, cultural discovery and a healthy lifestyle.
During the 2007-2008 program year, over 1,155 participants volunteer for 700 community partner organizations in nearly 100 communities across Canada. This year marks Katimavik’s 30th anniversary.
Since 1977, Katimavik has helped more than 28,000 young Canadians develop their sense of civic responsibility and contribute significantly to Canadian society as active citizens.
DOING. LEARNING. BUILDING A NATION… ONE COMMUNITY AT A TIME.
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Katimavik is a great program. I finished about a year ago, but still miss everything about it so much! It’s an amazing adventure across Canada with 11 other people who become like your family. I gained so much life experience through group living, 2nd language emmersion, and travel to places I would never think to go within Canada. So if you are thinking about travelling for a year, let Katimavik pay for everything and become a full time volunteer! I know that they are still looking for participants to start in the fall, so apply now and don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity! You can go to http://www.katimavik.org for more information about the program and to apply!
1978 seems a long time ago but I still remember everything like it was yesterday. The people, the freedom, the hard work, the best time of my life.
I wish I could get in touch with members of the group just to see what they became. I’ sure they all did well, they were a great bunch.
To anyone who read this and is wondering if thy should enrole i say GO….. you won’t regret it !!! I’m now 47 and I still think about the good time I had.