Youth Monitoring & Education
Engaging young people in environmental STEM education and citizen science builds curiosity, confidence, and lifelong stewardship for the places we love.
Connecting people with nature is at the heart of our mission.
Through programs at the Iris & Billy Griffith Centre, we have connected more than 10,000 young people to the natural world. Our renowned Nature School turns the outdoors into the classroom, cultivating curiosity, wonder, and an endless connection to the environment.
By combining hands-on science, outdoor learning, and community mentorship, our programming helps young people develop confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills while creating pathways to future innovation and STEM education and careers.
This foundational engagement helps nurture the next generation of researchers, stewards, and community leaders who will care for the environment and sustain lasting connections with nature.
Four Youth Program Features
NatureKids BC Sunshine Coast Chapter
In 2026, we reintroduced the Sunshine Coast Chapter of NatureKids BC, inviting kids and their families to explore, play, learn, and take action for nature together! Monthly adventures are guided by local experts and Indigenous knowledge keepers, offering place-based learning experiences that deepen connection to the natural world and inspire new ways of caring for the places we love and call home.
Summer Camps
In partnership with the shíshálh Nation, we are developing summer youth programming at the Iris & Billy Griffith Centre that immerses participants in nature-based learning and environmental discovery. Details about summer 2026 camps will be available in the spring.
Sunshine Coast Youth Stewards
Building on the success of our freshwater and coastal monitoring program, we are developing a youth-led environmental monitoring initiative that supports the next generation of changemakers. Through hands-on scientific training and field experiences, youth gain practical skills, mentorship, and exposure to STEM pathways and careers on the Sunshine Coast.
School Programs
Through classroom, field experiences, and school partnerships, we provide outreach opportunities for School Districts 46 and 47, bringing environmental STEM learning, Indigenous teachings, and hands-on programming to more than 6,500 students across the region.
