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Mentoring Program for Children in Burnaby

Life can throw a lot at young people—especially those struggling to make friends, dealing with family instability, or facing challenges in school. That’s where KidStart comes in. We offer one-on-one mentorship in Burnaby and throughout Metro Vancouver to help young people feel seen, supported, and encouraged. With a caring adult in their corner, they’re more likely to build confidence, bounce back from setbacks, and make positive choices. If you’ve got time and a big heart, you could be that someone who makes all the difference.

Ready to become a mentor?

What We Do

We match young people with kind, committed adult mentors who are carefully selected, trained, and supported by our team. These one-on-one connections give young people the chance to build a steady, trusting relationship with someone who’s in their corner. Mentors encourage their mentees through fun activities, life skill-building, and simply showing up consistently. All it takes is about three hours a week and a one-year commitment to make a real difference.

Burnaby Mentorship Needs

We have 15 children paired with a mentor, and 30 children still waiting to meet their mentor. If you live in or near Burnaby and are interested in making a positive impact in the life of one of these kids, we want to hear from you!

Training Provided for Mentors

Once you are approved to be a mentor, you will receive comprehensive training to help you in your role, including first aid, trauma-informed practice, how to write effective case notes and more. This training makes KidStart a great program for post-secondary students planning a career in social services; you give back to your community and get practical experience at the same time.

Support for Mentors in Burnaby

Each mentor and mentee pairing gets support from a dedicated volunteer coordinator.

Our Mentorship Program for Children in Burnaby is Open to the Public

Our mentorship program for children ages 6 to 12 in Burnaby is open to the public—anyone can refer. This program is funded by donations and is free for the children and families who need it.

Mentoring Program for Kids in
Burnaby

KidStart is dedicated to fostering strong, positive relationships between children and supportive adult mentors in their own communities—particularly those who may not have consistent guidance at home. To encourage these valuable connections, we provide a monthly $40 activity stipend to support shared outings. In Burnaby, mentors and mentees have access to a variety of engaging indoor and outdoor activities that promote relationship-building and personal growth.

Indoor Activities
Outdoor Activities

Indoor Activities for
Child Mentorship in Burnaby

Depending on the interests of the young person you are paired with, the season, and the weather, you may prefer indoor activities. There are plenty of indoor activities in Burnaby, ranging from museums to escape rooms.

Active & Sports-Based Indoor Activities for Children in Burnaby

Skating at Kensington Complex

Lace up your skates and hit the ice for public skating in the fall and winter, or in-line skating in the spring and summer.

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Indoor Swimming at Edmonds Community Centre

The City of Burnaby offers many indoor and outdoor pools and recreational facilities including this one, which features a 6-lane swimming pool, waterslides, and a lazy river. There’s also a youth lounge that offers games, computers, art, and outdoor activities.

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Bonsor Recreation Complex

Conveniently located at Metrotown, this rec centre offers a swimming pool, racquet courts, a gym and more. Encourage your mentee to get active with badminton, basketball, or indoor cycling.

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Arts & Culture or Education-Based Indoor Activities for Children in Burnaby

Burnaby Art Gallery

Browse more than 6,000 works on display at this contemporary museum. As the only Canadian public art museum that focuses on paper-based art, this gallery represents a variety of techniques and practices from all sorts of artists.

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Burnaby Public Library

Burnaby’s public libraries are an incredible source of free educational and entertainment resources as well as a safe place for kids to spend time outside their living environment. Explore all the free resources available at any of the four locations, including computers and internet access, videos, music, books, and special events.

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Escape Room Games

Help your mentee develop their problem-solving skills and teamwork skills by solving a mystery to get out of an escape room together. Start with an easy one and work your way up to more difficult scenarios.

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Revs Bowling

Bowling is a great low-intensity activity that offers a fun way to spend a couple of hours. The relatively slow pace and turn-taking nature of bowling makes it easy to maintain a conversation with your mentee without the focus being entirely on them.

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Cineplex Metropolis

Enjoy a movie day and discuss the film afterward with your mentee. Watching a film you are both interested in is a great way to spend a few hours out and pass time on a rainy day.

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The Rec Room

Engage in some friendly competition over games like bowling and skee-ball. Or, try your hand at classic arcade games like Pac Man, Mario Kart, car racing, and more!

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Outdoor Activities for
Child Mentorship in Burnaby

Burnaby is a huge city filled with large parks and fantastic trails. Burnaby mentors are spoiled for choice when it comes to enjoying outdoor activities, whether it’s sports-based or educational.

Active & Sports-Based Outdoor Activities for Children in Burnaby

Central Park Pitch & Putt

Enjoy a fun golf experience surrounded by the beautiful evergreens in this park in the Metrotown area. Whether your mentee is just a beginner or has golfed before, this is the perfect way to practice some golf skills in a low-pressure environment.

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Burnaby Mountain Hiking Trails

Explore the huge network of trails at Burnaby Mountain and enjoy views of the Burrard Inlet and North Shore Mountains from the Simon Fraser University campus at the top.

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Deer Lake Park

Enjoy the natural beauty of Burnaby by walking around this scenic lake. Spot majestic blue herons fishing in the shallow waters and look out for turtles seeking the sunlight on logs.

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Golf Burnaby Kensington

Enjoy a budget-friendly game of Pitch & Putt in a lovely park setting. Short holes and a casual atmosphere that is much less intimidating than a full-sized golf course make this a great introduction to golf for kids of all skill levels.

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Arts & Culture or Education-Based Outdoor Activities for Children in Burnaby

Burnaby Village Museum

Explore 38 open-air exhibits at your own pace, including an Indigenous learning house and replica tram-stop community from the 1920s. During the open seasons, interpreters and educators are available to provide demonstrations in the homes, shops, and businesses that make up this site.

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Burnaby Central Railway

Take a fun ride on a unique miniature train through woods, tunnels, over bridges, and past educational displays in Confederation Park. This train is built on a 1/8th scale by volunteers of the BC Society of Model Engineers. Browse model train displays and enjoy a picnic in the park afterwards.

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See why both our volunteers and mentees love being a part of our mentoring program in Burnaby!

A wonderful service. Great staff and enthusiastic volunteers.

– KidStart referrer

This program has helped me become more responsible for myself and helped me live independently.

– KidStart participant

Meet a Volunteer Mentor

“As a youth, I had mentor-like people in my life who helped make me who I am today. Being able to be that to a mentee now as an adult is an incredibly rewarding experience and I have learned so much during my time with KidStart.” – Kristie H.

Become a Mentor in Burnaby and Change a Young Person’s Life!

If you’re 19 or older, living a stable lifestyle, and can dedicate just three hours a week, you could be the role model a young person in Burnaby needs. KidStart mentors commit to one year of one-on-one time with a child helping them build confidence, resilience, and the tools to make empowering life choices – even when things get tough.
Apply Here!
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