For over 30 years, youth in Nanaimo have been gaining valuable skills and experience through the Leadership in Training (LIT) program. Starting in 1982, this program provides youth the opportunity to learn and develop leadership skills while giving back to the community through volunteer work. The program goal is to provide a supportive and supervised environment for young people to learn and try out these skills as they discover more about themselves and their community. The LIT program runs twice a year; in the summer and the fall/winter.
The LIT program trains participants in areas such as customer service, public speaking and working with children. During the months of July and August, the LIT team go out into the community and contribute around 10,000 volunteers hours in Nanaimo. Program participants are placed in Parks, Recreation and Environment camps, playgrounds and other summer programs, as well as community events such as VIEX, Silly Boat Regatta, Dragon Boat Festival, Marine Fest/Bathtubs, Canada Day, and more.
After completing the LIT program, participants can move onto the next level, Quest, where they take on additional leadership responsibilities like training and mentoring the new LIT participants. To differeniate between levels, the LIT team wears yellow shirts and the Quest team wears blue shirts. Many of the Parks, Recreation and Environment summer staff have participated in the LIT program.
If you are interested in the LIT program we encourage you to register early as it tends to fill up fast. For more information on LIT and Quest, email youth@nanaimo.ca.
