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Mentoring Program for Youth
and Children in the Sea to Sky Region

KidStart offers one-on-one mentoring for teens ages 13-18 in Sea to Sky communities, including Squamish, Pemberton and Whistler as well as other areas of the lower mainland. Many young people in our program are transitioning to independence from care, managing youth agreements, or overcoming difficult situations like family breakdown or involvement with the justice system. Mentors provide stability and encouragement during this critical time, and we count on volunteers to make a lasting difference.

Ready to become a mentor?

What We Do

Our mission is to empower young people through supportive, one-on-one mentoring relationships with trusted adult volunteers. We guide and prepare mentors to be reliable role models, helping young people explore opportunities, gain confidence, and build essential life skills. For stability, mentors are asked to dedicate about three hours per week for a minimum of one year.

Sea to Sky Mentorship Needs

Currently, we have no youth in program or on our wait list in the Sea to Sky area, but that can change quickly! If you’re ready to give back and create lasting change, sign up to mentor a young person in your community. And remember, you can mentor a youth in a neighbouring city too, so there might be a young person waiting for you!

Training Provided for Mentors

Recruited KidStart mentors are well-equipped through detailed training that covers first aid, trauma-informed care, and note-taking best practices. This makes the program a valuable stepping stone for students in social services programs, offering both community impact and career-relevant experience.

Support for Mentors in Sea to Sky

Behind every mentoring match is a dedicated volunteer coordinator who helps ensure mentors and mentees have the support they need to succeed. From creating thoughtful matches to providing ongoing guidance and encouragement, coordinators play an essential role in building strong, positive relationships that help children and youth thrive.

Free Mentorship Program in Sea to Sky

KidStart is made possible through funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), which ensures the program is free for youth participants. All referrals must be submitted by either MCFD social workers or probation officers, who serve as the primary access point to our services.

Mentoring Program for Youth and Young Adults in
the Sea to Sky Region

KidStart is all about creating positive connections with the local community to enhance the well-being of young people who may not have enough stable adults in their lives. Here are a few indoor and outdoor activities in the Sea to Sky area that are popular with our mentors and mentees. We provide mentors with $40 each month to help towards any costs that come with doing these activities.
Indoor Activities
Outdoor Activities

Indoor Activities for
Youth Mentorship in Sea to Sky

When you and your mentee prefer to stay indoors, there are plenty of fun, educational, and interesting activities to check out in the Sea to Sky area.

Indoor Activities for Youth Mentorship in the Sea to Sky Region

Meadow Park Sports Centre

Head to Whistler’s main hub for recreation and fitness for a swim in one of the pools, a skate in the ice rink, a fitness class, a game of squash, or some indoor basketball.

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Ground Up Climbing Centre

Rock climbing is an excellent activity for youth to build resilience and confidence. Aside from improving physical strength and coordination, it also challenges youth to step out of their comfort zone in a safe environment and develop patience and planning skills as they learn to choose their routes.

To participate in these activities, a signed permission form by a parent or guardian is required.

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Pemberton and District Community Centre

Introduce your mentee to the importance of a regular exercise routine with a visit to this facility, which features a fitness centre, a stretching studio, and a community kitchen.

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Arts & Culture or Education-Based Indoor Activities for Youth in the Sea to Sky Region

Squamish Public Library

Public libraries are an incredible source of free educational and entertainment resources as well as a safe place for young people to spend time outside their living environment. Explore all the free resources available to young people, including computers and internet access, videos, music, books, and magazines.

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Britannia Mine Museum

Learn about the history of copper mining in the area through self-led exploration and a mine train that goes through an early haulage tunnel. If your mentee never visited this site as part of a school field trip, it’s a great opportunity to learn about local history.

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Audain Art Museum

This small but impactful art museum in Whistler showcases unique and evolving exhibitions from Canada and globally. What makes it special, though, is the Permanent Collection of art from coastal British Columbia, including an amazing collection of First Nations masks and works by Emily Carr.

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Outdoor Activities for
Youth Mentorship in the Sea to Sky Region

With rugged coastlines, stunning mountains, dense forests, and alpine lakes, the Sea to Sky region is one of the most spectacular areas in the country (and probably the world). Amid all this natural beauty, there is plenty of outdoor fun to be had with your mentee.

Arts & Culture or Education-Based Outdoor Activities for Youth in the Sea to Sky Region

Stawamus Chief

Test your fitness with a challenging hike up the Stawamus Chief trail and be rewarded with epic views of the Howe Sound and Downtown Squamish.

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Bike the Whistler Valley Trail

This car-free paved trail and boardwalk network connects scenic lakes, neighbourhoods, viewpoints, and picnic spots. Cycle, run, or rollerblade over 46km of trail to enjoy Whistler from a new perspective.

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Alice Lake & Brohm Lake

Swim, hike, or fish at one of the most popular freshwater lakes in the Sea to Sky Corridor. Walk along the 11km Brohm Lake Interpretive Forest or swim at Alice Lake.

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Sea to Sky Gondola

Soar above Howe Sound, get access to a network of alpine trails, and cross a thrilling suspension bridge. You can take the gondola both ways, or choose to tackle the steep hike up via the Sea to Summit Trail.

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Arts & Culture or Education-Based Outdoor Activities for Youth in the Sea to Sky Region

Whistler Cultural Connector

Follow this trail linking museums and cultural spots, which is particularly great for mentees who are interested in art or history.

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Lil’wat Cultural Centre Forest Walk

Learn from a Cultural Ambassador during a guided forest walk that combines nature with Indigenous education.

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Squamish Mural Walk

This free, year-round self-guided tour takes you past captivating murals in Downtown Squamish that date back to 2000. It’s a great chance to sample the local cafes as you go at your own pace.

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See why both our volunteers and mentees love being a part of our mentoring program in the Sea to Sky Region!

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

“I find that the more time I spend with my mentee, the more she opens up and lets herself be a kid. In today’s day and age of having to grow up as soon as you can, it can be a breath of fresh air when kids can be kids.”

Loren has been a mentor with KidStart since January 2025. She is a university student who balances a part-time job with volunteering and spending time with family and friends. She wishes she had a strong role model when she was a kid to help her through some challenges she faced, including having parents who struggled with substance use. Her history and her fondness for spending time with kids led her to become a mentor.

Become a Mentor in the Sea to Sky Region!

Interested in mentoring youth in the Sea to Sky region? If you’re 21 or older, have a stable schedule, and can commit three hours each week for at least one year, we invite you to become a mentor. Your support can help young people build confidence and overcome life’s difficulties.
Apply Here!
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