Join us during Youth Recreation Week!
There's something big happening March 24-28, 2025. Massive. Mondo. Mega. Hugenormous. Join us for Youth Recreation Week at Youth Centres in Acton and Georgetown! See below for more.
Youth Recreation Week takes place from March 24 to 28. Through funding from the Building Safer Communities Grant, Youth Recreation Week is a time to participate in free recreation-based programming, build skills and well-being, meet new people and get active in your community!
Youth Recreation Week will be celebrated in person across Halton Hills at the Halton Hills Youth Centres, Acton Indoor Pool, Acton Arena & Community Centre, Mold-Masters Sports Plex and Gellert Community Centre.
Join in on the fun and participate in our Youth Passport Challenge! Visit as many events and locations as you can for a chance to win a prize! Pick up a Passport at either the Acton or Georgetown Youth Centre to start collecting stamps.
Events
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Youth Swim – Swim to Survive: Join us at either the Acton Indoor Pool or Gellert Community Centre for a FREE youth swim, games, and get your Swim to Survive challenge certificate.
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Create your own Coping Kit with ROCK: Looking to build your coping skills? Stop by to build your own coping kit. Choose from 12 different items to create the perfect coping kit!
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Escape Room: Can you escape? Grab a partner and see if you can make it through the jungle or the mail room.
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Youth Advisory Committee & Button Making: Are you looking for volunteer hours that only has a 1-hour commitment throughout the school year? Stop by our Youth Advisory table to chat with this years members and make a button while you’re there.
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Pool Tournament with Halton Regional Police: Test your skills against the Halton Region Police in a pool tournament. Grab a partner and join the bracket.
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Resume Workshop: Join STRIDE for a resume 101 workshop. Ask for feedback on your resume, get interview preparation and review your cover letter with employment specialists.
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John Howard Society Online Safety & Cooking Night: Want to dust of your cooking skills? Join Sharon from John Howard Society to chat about online safety and make a delicious dinner.
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Youth Skate with Halton Regional Police: Want to get to know your Community Officers in Halton Hills? Stop by either Mold-Masters Sports-Plex or Acton Community Centre to join in on the fun!
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Queer @ ROCK Workshop: Have you ever wanted to make your own coping toolbox? Today is your luck day! Design your own box, and choose what items you feel would help you in times of crisis.
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Public Health Clinic with Support House: Have you been looking to connect with health services but you don’t have a family doctor? Stop by the Acton Youth Centre on Thursdays to meet with public health nurses and mental health nurses.
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Polaroid Party: Our favourite keepsake will be available this week! Take photos as a memory of the awesome week, and make sure to hang it on your wall at home.
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Leadership VR with Halton Hills Library: Virtual Reality is back! Join the library and jump in on some popular VR games.
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Art Therapy: Join us for an expressive art therapy session. We will have different mediums available as well as individual and group projects to work on!
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Youth Zumba Class: Ready to move your body? Join us for a fun and fast-paced Zumba class.
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Halton Region Sexual Health Clinic: Have you been looking to connect with sexual health services but you don’t have a family doctor or don’t know where to start looking? Look no further! The Halton Region Sexual Health Van is present every Tuesday at the Georgetown Youth Centre!
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Basketball Game with Halton Regional Police: Are you ready to challenge the Halton Regional Police in a friendly game of 3 v. 3? Stop by to join in or what to see who wins the game!
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Halton Hills Fire Department: Have you ever wanted to try on firefighter gear or use a fire extinguisher? Join the Halton Hills Fire department and chat with your local firefighters!
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Therapy Dogs: Our favourite cuddly companions are back! Make sure you stop by to pet our furry friends and feel the stress roll right off your back.
Current status
Youth Centres in Acton and Georgetown are open! Drop in and see us Monday-Friday from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. Programs are free!
Stay connected
- Find us on Instagram
- E-mail youth staff
- Talk to a human at 905-873-2600 ext. 2285
About the Youth Centres
As part of our drop-in youth programming, The Town of Halton Hills operates two Youth Centres with locations in Acton and Georgetown. Recreation-based activities available include video games, arts and crafts, cooking, special events, movies and drop-in gym activities (Georgetown location). Facilities provide youth with access to lounge space, computers and Wi-Fi. Both Youth Centres are supervised by trained Town of Halton Hills staff. Community Partners & members of the Youth Network provide supports and additional programs in both Centres. Admission to the Centres is free and programs are provided at no charge or low cost. Open to youth ages 12-24 years old.
Recreation activities:
- Video games
- Arts and crafts
- Cooking
- Movies
- Drop-in gym activities (Georgetown location)
- Special events
Services:
- Recreation and socialization opportunities including physical fitness and active living
- Food security
- On-site mental health and addictions supports and obtain referral services to which they may otherwise not have access
- Increased life skills through participation in workshops from partner agencies
- Service navigation
- Youth leadership and community involvement
Locations:
- Acton Youth Centre: 19 Willow Street North, Acton (Entrance off Bower St.)
519-853-9825 - Georgetown Youth Centre: 96 Guelph Street, Georgetown (Gary Allan High School - entrance off Maple Ave.)
905-873-2966
Youth Swimming & Skating (Free!)
There are several opportunities on our recreational drop-in program schedule for youth to enjoy no-cost swimming and skating. All admission policies and rules apply.
Youth Swims:
- Only youth ages 11-18 permitted
- Mondays from 7:30-8:30 p.m. leisure swim at Acton Lion's Indoor Pool
- Fridays from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Gellert Community Centre
Youth Skates:
- Only youth ages 12-19 permitted
- Tuesdays from 3:45-4:35 p.m. at Mold-Masters SportsPlex Arena
- Thursdays from 4:00-4:50 p.m. at Acton Arena & Community Centre
- Runs during fall and winter season only
Youth Leadership Program
Sponsored by the Norval United Church, join us for this unique Youth Leadership experience. Through hands on activities, workshops and special guests, youth ages 15-21 years old will learn about different leadership styles, communication techniques and problem-solving strategies. The group will meet over March Break to help build competencies that will support and launch youth towards volunteerism, employment and leadership roles. Youth will connect with local organizations to learn about opportunities in our community, build their resume, and obtain a certification in HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development. The program provides meaningful and exciting experiences including cooking, special guests, personal wellness, meeting new people and a variety of activities.
This leadership program takes place at the Halton Hills Youth Centres which will provide youth a variety of fun and youth friendly activities in a welcoming environment. This program will appeal to all youth looking to develop and grow as leaders and individuals.
- Date: March 10-14, 2025
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Location: Acton Youth Centre
- Fee: $80.23 (HST included)
Friday Activity Night for Youth with Exceptionalities
Get connected, get social! Join us on Friday nights at the Acton Youth Centre for our new Friday Activity Night. Individuals ages 20-35 years old with exceptionalities can register for this social recreation program. Running for 12 weeks, this program will focus on connecting with others, building relationships, trying new things and enjoying time together. Each week there will be a different activity scheduled. Participants can enjoy hanging out with others, cooking, playing pool, art nights, life skill building, and making new friends. Town trained staff will facilitate the program.
Criteria for the program: participant has an intellectual/developmental disability, able to toilet independently, able to work with a group ratio of 1 staff to 10 participants. If the participant requires assistance to participate in the program and to interact with friends, please hire a support worker to attend the program. There is no additional charge for support workers.
- Ages: 20-35 years old
- Day/Time: Fridays from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
- Spring program registration opens March 4. Learn more about this program.
Other Youth Information
Youth volunteering |
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Looking to get your 40 volunteer hours? Want to make a difference in your community and the lives of fellow neighbours and friends? Consider volunteering with the Town of Halton Hills! Build leadership skills, give back to your community and meet new people. Recreation & Parks offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for youth. Visit our volunteer webpage to learn more about available opportunities and the application process. |
Youth taxi scrip |
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The Youth Taxi Scrip Program is a service that allows registered youth riders to receive a discounted fare (up to 40% off) with participating taxi companies for travel within Halton Hills. Visit the taxi scrip webpage to register and learn more. |
Youth jobs |
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Check out current job postings available today! Summer employment information is available as of December. |
Acton Youth Centre renovation project (2021) |
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In September of 2021, The Town of Halton Hills announced the official grand opening of the renovated Acton Youth Centre. Located at 19 Willow Street North in Acton, within the Acton Town Hall, this newly renovated Youth Centre will serve as a hub of activity and a place for youth to gather, socialize, learn, collaborate, innovate, access local services and grow. The Acton Youth Centre has been set up as a one-stop shop for youth in our community that supports and enhances recreational opportunities, mental health, and other services that support youth in navigating community resources. The Acton Youth Centre includes a variety of amenities to offer the community including:
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Frequently asked questions for Youth
What happens at the Halton Hills Youth Centres? |
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We are committed to providing an active, social and educational environment for youth in our community. Youth ages 12 – 24 years can drop in for daily recreation activities and wrap-around services* provided by various partner agencies. Youth can come and go to each location freely without barriers to entry and no cost to take part. *The concept of wrap-around service is used to describe any program that is flexible, family or person-oriented and comprehensive – that is, several organizations work together to provide a holistic program of supports. |
Where are the Halton Hills Youth Centres? |
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Georgetown Youth Centre is located at 96 Guelph Street in Georgetown, inside the Gary Allan High School Acton Youth Centre is located at 19 Willow Street North in Acton, located on the north side of the Acton Town Hall building. Both Youth Centres are open Monday-Friday from 3:00-7:30 p.m. from September to June and from 1:30-6:00 p.m. for July and August. |
Who runs the Halton Hills Youth Centres? |
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The Halton Hills Youth Centres are run by the Town of Halton Hills’ Recreation & Parks department. The Recreation Coordinator of Youth oversees the daily operation of the Youth Centres. Both Centres are staffed by trained Town of Halton Hills program instructors. Partner agencies like Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), ADAPT, Bridging the Gap, and CMHA, provide social services on site. |
What ages does the Halton Hills Youth Centre serve? |
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Halton Hills Youth Centres serve youth ages 12-24 years old. |
How do you support such a large age span? |
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Drop-in recreational activities are chosen based on input from youth who use the Centres. Our programming targets all interests while our wrap around services targets the entire age range. Research shows that transitional aged youth, ages 18-24, are at higher risk. We support this vulnerable population through relationship building, onsite supports in our own community and curating programs and services that assist transitional aged youth. Staff reinforce positive interactions and relationships, as well as using the space for its intended purpose. |
What is the Town doing to support youth in our Town? |
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In addition to the Halton Hills Youth Centres, we offer other free to low-cost recreation programs like free youth skates and swims, drop in skating, and leadership programs. These programs offer youth a chance to socialise and exercise in a healthy, positive environment. |
What is the Halton Hills Youth Network? |
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Town Recreation staff chairs the Halton Hills Youth Services Network. The purpose of the network is to ensure that there are services in place for local youth by working with all local agencies to identify any service gaps and enhance the level of service. The Youth Network meets quarterly. Objectives of the Youth Network include:
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What if a youth needs help? |
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We work in partnership with social service agencies like Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), ADAPT, CHMA, Bridging the Gap, employment services, food supports, and Halton Regional Police, to provide onsite assistance to youth. Aligning with the priorities of the Youth Service Delivery Model, youth can participate and engage in the following at the centres:
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Why is a recreation facility supporting mental health? |
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We follow the provincial Youth Wellness Hubs of Ontario model, which incorporates best practice for youth services. Supported through the Ontario Ministry of Health, Youth Wellness Hubs of Ontario is an Integrated Youth Services (IYS) initiative designed to address the service gaps in the youth mental health and substance use sectors in Ontario. The Halton Hills Youth Centres collaborate with local youth servicing agencies to provide local youth with one stop access to a full range of integrated services that support their individual needs, including mental health and substance use supports, primary care, education, employment, housing, and other social services in one youth-friendly space. |
What happens if I am concerned with something related to the Youth Centre? |
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Any concerns related to the Halton Hills Youth Centres can be directed to the Recreation Coordinator of Youth or call 905-873-2600 ext.2285 |
How can youth get involved? |
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The Halton Hills Youth Centres host a Youth Advisory Committee at the Georgetown and Acton Youth Centre. The Halton Hills Youth Advisory Committee is a catalyst to meaningfully engage youth in the planning, execution, and evaluation of services. Youth meet at the Halton Hills Youth Centres to discuss, advise, recommend and advocate on behalf of local youth for services, new initiatives, and to guide the work of the Youth Centres and Youth Network. If youth are looking for volunteer hours, visit our volunteer webpage for more information. |
What if I would like to see the Youth Centre before allowing my child to attend? |
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Tours are available of both Youth Centre locations. Please reach out to our Recreation Coordinator of Youth to set up a tour of the space or call 905-873-2600 ext.2285 |
Where can I find more information about services for youth? |
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Visit our website at www.haltonhills.ca/youth or follow us on Instagram or X @_HHYouth . For other inquiries please email youth staff or call 905-873-2600 ext. 2285 Anyone needing help to access services like mental health support, counselling or housing can contact the following resources:
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