Beaver Valley Outreach Since 1983

Youth

Who Is BVO?
Why Donate?
Donate Online

 

Connecting youth, families, and our community through programs, leadership, creativity, and support.

Whether you are looking to join an event, apply for funding, or partner with us – this is your hub. 

At Beaver Valley Outreach, youth aren’t just participants – you are helpers, leaders, creators, and decision-makers.

 

Whether you’re looking to: try volunteering for the first time, earn community service hours, build skills for school, work, or life, meet people and feel more connected. There is a place for you here. You don’t need experience – just curiosity.

What can you get involved in?

After-School Volunteering

Hands-on, flexible opportunities that fit around school. Help with: sorting and organizing (books, toys, donations), creative projects and upcycling, community events and pop-ups, behind-the-scenes support that actually matters

Youth-Led & Youth-Supported Projects

Have an idea? Want to make change? We support youth who want to: protect the environment, support their community, design small projects or initiatives, and learn how to turn ideas into action

Skill Building (Without the Pressure)

Volunteering here helps you build: confidence, teamwork, leadership, responsibility, real-world experience you can talk about later

Try things. Learn what you like. Find your thing.

You belong here

We know showing up somewhere new can feel awkward. That’s okay.

BVO youth opportunities are: welcoming, supervised, supportive, and judgment-free

Come with a friend, or come solo — we will meet you where you’re at.

About Youth Engagement at BVO

Beaver Valley Outreach offers safe, structured, and supervised opportunities for youth to engage in their community through volunteering, leadership, and skill development.

Our approach focuses on: positive youth development, belonging and connection, low-barrier entry points for first-time volunteers, and supporting youth voice and initiative.

Youth are supported on site by staff and trained volunteers.

Many youth use these experiences to: fulfill community service hour requirements, explore interests and career pathways, build references and future opportunities.

What youth gain from participating

Through BVO programs, youth develop: confidence and independence, responsibility and reliability, teamwork and communication skills, exposure to community service and civic engagement

Many youth use these experiences to: fulfill community service hour requirements, explore interests and career pathways, build references and future opportunities.

Safety & supervision

  • Youth activities are staff-supported
  • Clear expectations and guidance are provided
  • Youth are never left unsupervised
  • Tasks are age-appropriate and flexible

We aim to create an environment where youth feel both supported and trusted.

Getting started

Parents and caregivers are welcome to: reach out with questions, support youth in exploring opportunities, and connect with staff to find a good fit for their youth.

📧 Youth Engagement Contact: [email protected]

📍 Location: Beaver Valley Outreach, Thornbury

Georgian Bay Youth Roots

Youth are important to BVO, and we want to make sure that young people have a voice. 

BVO partners with Georgian Bay Youth Roots (GBYR), an organization committed to encouraging all youth to become healthy, safe, hopeful, engaged, educated and contributing members of The Town of The Blue Mountains and the Municipality of Meaford. GBYR creates connections and partnerships between youth and community so that so that youth have opportunities to lead, develope and thrive.

Youth Roots meets monthly in-person and virtually. Groups of youth and adults gather to talk about opportunities for youth in the community. If meetings are not your thing, there are other ways to become involved. Connect with us and we will keep you informed about meetings and other opportunities.

Youth Roots is looking for participants in the community. Have your voice heard! Help ensure our community is meeting the needs of all youth.

www.thebluemountains.ca

Co-op Placements

Whether a high school student is interested in focusing on children’s programs or gaining an overall understanding of BVO, we can provide 2 credit or 4 credit Co-op opportunities. Contact [email protected] for more details.

Treasure Shop

A youth-powered space that supports the circular economy and creative reuse. It’s where vintage finds, upcycled materials, and gently used items are given a second life-supporting class and community projects, events, crafting, redecorating, and hands-on learning. 

Here, innovation takes on a new life. What might be someone else’s junk becomes your next great idea, art piece, or solution. 

BVO Treasure Shop invites youth to reimagine waste, spark creativity, and turn resourcefulness into action.

BVCS Supplies Box

BVO keeps a box of items like toothpaste, deodorant and soap at BVCS. If you are running low, talk to one of the Grade 7/8 teachers for more information.

Community

Emergency Services

Information & Referral

Christmas Hampers

Thornbury Community Gardens

Why Donate

Local families are able to access our emergency food cubby, clothing & household items, and fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the year. A parent receives recreational funding to help enroll their child in organized hockey/dance or other activities of their choice. Children of local families receive quality childcare right in their own community. Seniors and caregivers benefit from important information and resources available to maximize their quality of life.

For over 35 years, BVO and its many volunteers have been working hard to enhance the lives of people in The Blue Mountains, from infants to seniors, with quality programs and services. While proceeds from our Treasure Shop sales and government funding go a long way to fund BVO’s good work, financial support from the community is always needed. People give for different reasons and in different ways: to support a cause that is important to them and make an impact in their community; to ensure that their memory lives on in a meaningful way; to help reduce taxes while supporting charitable causes that align with their values. Some hold 3rd party fundraisers, where they participate in an engaging event while having fun and raising money that will help locals in our community when times are tough. 

There are many ways in which you can support BVO, both now and in the future. Please consider giving to BVO to help us continue “making good things happen in our community”.

Donate to Beaver Valley Outreach ♥

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