Project North Project North

Project North

The YMCA offers an innovative leadership experience for students in Grades 9 to 12x from Sarnia and surrounding First Nations communities. This project follows the successful YMCA Project Kenya which occurred in Sarnia-Lambton (2012-2013), Project Guatemala in Chatham-Kent (2014-2015), and Project North (2017-2019, 2023, 2024).

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2025 Project North

Our 2025 team features 10 dynamic young leaders committed to building a stronger, more connected community. Through Project North, these youth are developing leadership and teamwork skills, learning about community impact and philanthropy, and organizing fundraising efforts to support future service projects and travel opportunities.

They’ve already made an impact at events like the Spring Equinox Market and the Mitton Village Market—and there’s more to come!

Catch Project North at upcoming events:

  • Summer Solstice Market: Sunday June 22nd @ the Point Edward Community Hall
  • Tecumseh Skate Jam: Saturday July 26th @ Tecumseh Park
  • Mitton Village Block Party: Saturday August 23rd in Mitton Village  

2024 Project North

Our 2024 team successfully travelled to Alberta in August for a 6-day trip travelling from Sarnia ON to Calgary, Mountain View County, and Canmore AB. The Project North team experienced many firsts during their trip and explored locations such as the Painted Warriors Ranch, Chester Lake during their day-hike with Yamnuska Mountain Adventures, the Shane Homes YMCA @ Rocky Ridge, the TELUS Spark Centre, and were able to meet and thank our sponsors at NOVA Chemicals. Our Youth committed to various projects during 2024 including: A Blind Date with a Book fundraiser (April-July), the Celebration of Youth Awards Ceremony (May), volunteering with YMCA camp and children's programming (Jan-July), the Mitton Village Block Party (August), Fright Fest in the Village (Oct) and collaborated with the Leaders of Tomorrow for Truthsgiving (Nov).  

Project Impact

This project has many potential impacts, bringing together a group of young people who have committed to an incredible leadership development initiative. These participants will need to be extremely motivated to learn and grow and make a difference in their community. This project will create an opportunity for the YMCA to work in partnership with the community, including Sarnia’s surrounding First Nations communities. The project will also help to increase the YMCA’s profile as an organization committed to youth and leadership development.   

The project creates a tremendous opportunity for participants to learn more about fundraising and embrace philanthropy. The young people developing their leadership potential will have a cumulative impact on their families, schools, friends and the greater community.

Project North Forms

Project North has completed their recruitment for 2025. Registration for 2026 will be facilitated in early January. Here are the necessary documents for the registration process:

Registration Form

Photo Consent

Youth Questionnaire