Katimavik National Experience

JOIN THE KATIMAVIK NATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND START YOUR CHALLENGE OF SERVING COMMUNITIES TO BUILD A BETTER CANADA

This fully-immersive 5.5 month program brings together 11 young adults who share and manage a Katimavik house while living in two different communities. The group will be accompanied by a Project Leader, who resides in the house to mentor the life-changing experience.

What to expect: The Katimavik National Experience challenges youth to make a positive impact in each of the communities while also developing a vast set of skills and competencies. Throughout the 5.5 months, participants are very busy and can expect to participate fully in the following: Volunteering 30 hours a week at local non-profit organizations; Learning about Indigenous peoples in Canada and engaging in meaningful truth and reconciliation initiatives; Team building and collaboration; Designing and implementing community projects; Managing all aspects of the Katimavik house, including daily meal preparation; Plan cultural discovery, group outings and fun activities during evenings and weekends.

The advantage of the National Experience is that participants are not alone. The success of the program is based on working together and supporting each other as a team. Through exchange and discussions, participants learn from each other, explore problem solving, and provide a supportive environment where everyone is accepted and valued. Katimavik has a proven track record of providing positive youth development programming. The Project Leader and the partner community organizations are trained to ensure that each participant is provided with the opportunities they need to have a positive experience.

Once accepted to the National Experience, participants receive a participant guide to help prepare for their departure, and upon arrival in the community, the group attends an orientation session. Support is provided throughout the experience by the Project Leader and all Katimavik staff.

How is the program funded? Katimavik is grateful for funding provided by the Government of Canada through its Canada Service Corps initiative. All expenses related to participation in the program are covered, including transportation to and from the communities, group activities, housing, and meals.

Who can apply? The National Experience is open to all youth aged 17-25 years old. Participants must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have landed refugee status.