Summer Programs

for students entering grade 9

The summer Big Picture Seminar is designed to help students entering grade 9 develop a clear vision of their future, starting now. Through activities, advice and sound direction, students get to see their high school years as an opportunity to develop the personal qualities that lead to happiness and success in life

Through activities, advice and sound direction, students get to see their high school years as an opportunity to develop the personal qualities that lead to happiness and success in life.

The purpose of the seminar is two-fold: to help young men form high ideals, realistic goals, and practical plans for meeting the challenges awaiting them in the future, and to share practical advice for succeeding academically, choosing career paths and becoming effective leaders in the workplace and in society.

Now is the time to start learning what it takes to build the future, in order to succeed as professionals, family men, and responsible citizens.

Seminar modules:

• Building Personal Strengths: integrity, conscience, concentration, effective use of time, and social graces
  
• Making Career Choices: directing studies and pre-professional activities as well as choosing a professional career
  
• Planning Ahead: thinking about university admission
  
• The Power of Reading: learning why reading is important and what books to read, building habits of a discriminating reader
  
• Expanding the Mind: developing an appreciation for great artistic and intellectual achievements
  
• Defining Personal Values: developing character and maturity, seeing setbacks as opportunities to grow and better discern one’s path in life
  
• Living with Integrity: learning to always act in consonance with one’s principles and faith
  
• Understanding Ethics and Etiquette: introducing notions of business ethics, good manners and business etiquette
  
• Becoming a Role Model: discussing what it takes to be a good father, a good family man

for students entering grade 8

Participants will look into the power of habits and virtues as they come to the end of a stage in life and the start of another one in high school. The program includes sports and excursions.

for students entering grade 12

This project is organized in close collaboration with local organizations in Mexico. The participants give time and energy by helping indigenous communities with various infrastructure projects, such as building septic tanks, community halls, and chapels, and by teaching children basic English, Mathematics, and Catechism.

This year, the Canadian participants will join a group from the USA to work on this project, which is organized by Youth Service International (YSI).
More details at ysi.org/mexico

Canadian participants must apply on the CYLI website, by clicking the “apply now” button.

for students entering grade 11 or 12

Participants work with staff and volunteers of the Ruby Lake Lagoon society to enhance and preserve the natural habitat and wildlife of the Sunshine Coast region

The work involves removal of invasive species on land and water, trail clearing and maintenance, setting up composter bin units, installing habitats for birds and other wildlife on the coast, and much more.

The project also includes excursions to the coastal lakes and islands, as well as daily sessions on ecological stewardship and responsibility.

for students entering grade 10

Participants to this service project will have a chance to experience a variety of service activities towards those in need

The Citizens Project is a leadership camp for young men entering grade 10.
Through various volunteering activities in Toronto, the camp emphasizes the importance of service and gives its participants an opportunity to foster this virtue.

Why a leadership camp for young men that focuses on service work?
There can be no real character development without service—or, to put it differently, maturity is not the ability to take care of oneself, but the ability to take care of others. In our society, there is a pressing need for people who affirm the dignity and value of every human being, and work to build up their communities. By spending time in volunteer service work, participants in the Citizens Project will be encouraged to come out of themselves and be aware of the needs of others—in short, they will be encouraged to become better citizens.

We spend the mornings in various volunteering activities. In previous years, the projects involved help with household and maintenance work at homes for people with intellectual disabilities, the elderly, soup kitchens for the homeless, and clothing and food banks for the underprivileged, often partnering with other charitable organisations. This year, the plan will be to perform manual work at St. Augustine’s seminary (painting, cleaning, repairs, groundwork, etc.). In the afternoons we go on outings and play sports, which provides participants a favorable setting to make like-minded friends. Every day, there is a talk on an element of Christian teaching, a virtue, or a professional skill. Participants also have the opportunity for one-on-one mentoring with one of the camp supervisors. In mentoring sessions, participants can take a moment to reflect on their experiences and work out a way to apply what they have learned into their lives.

for students entering grade 10 or 11

Techniques and Technology Seminar

Participants will look deeper into the meaning of work and studies while learning sound techniques to be the best students they can be. They will also look into the proper ways of using technology and the benefits and risks around it. The program includes presentations, mentoring and excursions.

for students entering grade 11

Participants in this project will volunteer with a local Catholic parish on a First Nations reserve

The Manitoba Service Project is a leadership camp for young men entering grade 11. The project involves helping out at the Catholic parish in Hollow Water, Manitoba, located on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. Through volunteer work on this First Nations reserve, the camp aims to help its participants grow in social awareness and a spirit of service. Participants will help with repairs and construction work around the parish buildings and other manual labor in the community. In the evenings, the participants receive a talk and then  spend time with local youth on the reserve, playing sports and, depending on the circumstances, tutoring local children in English, mathematics, and catechism.

The talks are on:

• Spirit of Service
• Detachment and Freedom
• Gratitude
• Friendship
• Solidarity
• Interior Life
• Fortitude
• Unity of Life

On the last day of the camp, there will be a few hours to visit historic sites in Winnipeg.

for students entering grade 10

Develop your leadership mindset and skills.

Over time, there have always been problems and challenges requiring  leaders who were willing and able to tackle them. The Practical Leadership program aims to help young men on their journey to become such leaders; the program  seeks to install important leadership virtues and skills, such as:

• Spirit of service
• Professional excellence
• Effective communication
• Judicious decision-making

During this five-day program, participants will deepen their understanding of leadership and its practical implications in their own life now, as a student, as a friend and as a young member of society. This program will also lead them to develop the attitude and the skills required for the exercise of leadership in their academic milieu, and later in the professional world.

The schedule will include talks and discussions on leadership traits. Participants will learn about the basic principles of public speaking.

The young men will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with a monitor about ways to exercise leadership in their everyday environment in the coming year.

There will also be time dedicated for sports and outings in the city of Montreal and the surrounding area.