Media Releases
ALTITUDE YOUTH EXPERIENCE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR YEAR TWO
Vancouver, B.C. (April 21, 2008): 2010 Legacies Now's Spirit of BC® program is accepting applications for Altitude Youth Experience. Supported by the Province of British Columbia, Altitude Youth Experience is entering its second year and provides opportunities for youth around the province to gain leadership skills and make a difference in their community.
"The first year of Altitude Youth Experience was a huge success, and we're excited about year two," said Allen Langdon, director of Spirit of BC for 2010 Legacies Now. "Participating youth have the chance to plan community events and work with community leaders as Spirit of BC committee members. They represent the future of our province, and the knowledge and experience they gain will benefit them for years to come."
Altitude Youth Experience is open to B.C. youth aged 16-18, and application forms are available online at www.SpiritofBC.com. The deadline for submissions is May 30. Up to 60 young people will be invited to join a Spirit of BC community committee and attend a leadership retreat at Camp Summit in Squamish October 3-5.
Altitude Youth Experience is linked with Spirit of BC, a province-wide program managed by 2010 Legacies Now that promotes community innovation, pride and excellence, and involves British Columbians in the opportunities arising from the 2010 Winter Games. There are more than 95 Spirit of BC committees representing 200 communities across the province. Supported by 2010 Legacies Now and the Province of B.C., these committees aim to inspire people of all ages to address needs in their community related to sport and recreation, healthy living, arts and culture, literacy and volunteerism.
"When diverse groups of people get involved in their community, everyone benefits," said Stan Hagen, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts. "The Province is proud to support Spirit of BC programs like Altitude Youth Experience, which encourages B.C. youth to help make their community a better place."
"We had four Altitude Youth Experience participants join our committee and they brought a fresh perspective and new ideas that we found very valuable," said Bonnie Telep, co-chair of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Spirit of BC Committee. "It's great for us to know how our youth see the community and how they think we can make a positive impact."
"Being part of Altitude has taught me life lessons and given me the chance to contribute to my community in ways I could never have imagined," said Kyle McLellan, Altitude Youth Experience participant in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows. "I encourage all youth to become involved with this excellent program and bring a youth's perspective to their local Spirit of BC committee."
For more information about Altitude Youth Experience, please visit www.SpiritofBC.com.
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Media Contacts:
Karen McDonald
Director, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
778-840-8779
kmcdonald@2010LegaciesNow.com
Natasha Vander Wal
Manager, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
778-327-5189
nvanderwal@2010LegaciesNow.com
About 2010 Legacies Now
2010 Legacies Now is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations, the private sector and all levels of government to develop sustainable legacies in sport and recreation, arts, literacy and volunteerism. 2010 Legacies Now actively assists communities discover and create inclusive social and economic opportunities leading up to, and beyond, the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information, please visit www.2010LegaciesNow.com.
