Youth Volunteer Fair

Do you need volunteer hours for high school? Are you interested in getting involved in your community?

The Town of Aurora hosts a Fall Youth Volunteer Fair each year to provide an opportunity for youth to speak with community organizations about current or potential volunteer opportunities. We hope to inform youth ages 12 to 17 not only about opportunities to complete their high school community service hours requirement, but also about how they can get involved in their communities at large. 

For more information about Youth Volunteer Fairs, please email the Youth Division.

Looking for current volunteer opportunities? Head over to our Youth Volunteering webpage for more information.

Are you a Community Organization looking for volunteers? Please email the Youth Division to sign up as a vendor for the 2023 Fair.

Fall Youth Volunteer Fair - Thursday, October 19, 2023

Thursday, October 19, 2023
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Aurora Family Leisure Complex

This year’s fair will take place in-person with a variety of community organizations. Youth will have a chance to learn about opportunities directly from community organizations or sign-up for opportunities on the spot. For more information or to sign-up as a community organization, please email the Youth Division.

Youth Volunteer Fair - Flyer


National Youth Week – May 1 to 7

national youth week

National Youth Week - Annual Event

The Town of Aurora is proud to celebrate National Youth Week annually from May 1 to May 7.

Youth are a vital part of each community and contribute meaningful experiences through their participation in a wide variety of programs. Whether it is recreation, arts, civic engagement, drama, dance, sport, volunteerism, or leadership, their contributions help shape our communities.

Throughout May 1 to May 7, we celebrate teens aged 12 to 17 by offering a schedule full of free programs, events, and opportunities.

For more information or to get involved, please email the Youth Division

Youth Week 2023
The Town of Aurora was excited to offer a variety of events during Youth Week 2023. Events were free for youth between the ages of 12 to 17. The following events were included in this year’s festivities:
  • National Youth Week Flag Raising at Aurora Town Hall on May 1.
  • 9 FREE Youth Drop-Ins, including Basketball, Volleyball, Open Gyms and Shinny Hockey.
  • Loft “Craft It” Pop Up and Teen Park Clean Up Workshops.
  • YNBA 3 v 3 Basketball Tournament on May 4.
Teens in Focus

Teens in Focus is all about recognizing and celebrating the youth in our community. The program aims at highlighting youth ages 12 to 17 years across Aurora.

There are no requirements for accomplishments or merit. Instead, we want to highlight the everyday teens in our community, including those that make a difference, that are great friends, and that are just typical teens. The Town of Aurora is proud to have these teens as part of our community.

Each day during Youth Week, teens will be selected by community submitted nominations and featured on the @AuroraTeens Instagram. Teens and community members are encouraged to submit nominations at any time by completing the following steps:

  • Email the Youth Division or Direct Message @AuroraTeens on Instagram.
  • Nominations must include name and Instagram username of the nominee, a brief reason why they are being nominated and a photo if possible.
  • Nominees must be between the ages of 12 to 17 years.
  • Nominations are subject to the discretion of Town staff. The Town of Aurora reserves the right to cancel, amend or change this program.

For questions or more information, please email the Youth Division


Aurora's Youth Innovation Fair

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Event Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Event Time & Location: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Aurora Town Hall

2024 Youth Innovation Fair Registration Form                 

Overhead photo of youth during innovation fair

The Town of Aurora is proud to support youth innovation and community engagement through Aurora’s Youth Innovation Fair. Open to students in grades 4 to 12 and features a wide variety of innovative ideas and inventions created by youth. It is an exciting opportunity for youth to engage in innovation and share their ideas to tackle real-world issues.

To participate, youth can submit their idea or invention and present to the community at Aurora's Youth Innovation Fair. Community and industry judges will visit and review each participant’s booth to select category winners for each age group. Categories include “Most Innovative”, “Community Leadership”, and “Eco-Friendly”. Students can participate in the following age groups

  • Junior: Grades 4 to 6
  • Intermediate: Grades 7 to 9
  • Senior: Grades 10 to 12

This year's fair, taking place on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., offers the community a chance to experience ideas from youth all over Aurora and the surrounding area. Themes or topics of entries can include but are not limited to: technology, science, performance, conservation, or building projects. Judges will be examining the following criteria.

  • Innovation and Creativity
  • Community Leadership
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Functionality

Participants can enter as an individual or as part of a group. Please note that each youth can only submit one entry into the fair each year (e.g. as an individual or as part of a group). Applications are due by April 24, 2024 and must be submitted through the online registration form. Once registered, Town of Aurora will be in touch to collect additional information about your entry into the Youth Innovation Fair.

For frequently asked questions, please see below. For more information, please contact the Special Events Division at 365-500-3166.

Who Can Take Part in the Fair?

Any youth in grades 4 to 12 who live in York Region. You can participate by yourself or as part of a team. If you are participating as part of a team, each member’s information needs to be on the entry form.

Please note that you can only enter the fair once per year – either as an individual or as part of a team.

What Can I Submit for the Fair?

It is up to you – as long as your idea or invention is original or one that you have not previously entered in Aurora’s Youth Innovation Fair. You can either create something entirely new or adapt an existing invention. However, if you are taking a pre-existing invention and adapting it, you need to acknowledge the original inventor(s).

Some past ideas/inventions include: a device to clean water, an electric shoe, a dish lift, a 3D Tiny Home plan, an electronic wall calendar, and a self-sustaining toothbrush.

What do I Need to Prepare and Bring to the Fair?

You will have approximately two hours to display your project to the public and a group of judges. It is recommended that you create a display (e.g. poster board, video, example of project) and put together a short speech or presentation to explain how your project works.

There are no requirements for how you present your idea, but it is recommended that you think about how best to showcase your idea. Some past participants have created posters, brought small examples or prototypes of their inventions, or created images or photos of their ideas.

How do I Present my Idea?
You will be given two (2) minutes to present your idea to the judges. When the judges approach, you will be asked to introduce yourself and your project and briefly explain how your idea or invention works. This is when you will use the speech or presentation you have prepared. The judges may ask a few follow up questions to assist with their decision making process.
What will Happen at the Fair?

The fair is open to the public so the community can come in and see all the amazing ideas and inventions youth are working on and creating. You are asked to be present for the entire fair or make arrangements to be present for the judging and results periods.

  • 5 p.m. – Sign-In and Set-Up Begins
  • 6 p.m. – Age Category Judging (fair open to the public for presentations)
  • 8 p.m. – Technology Showcase
  • 8:30 p.m.  – Announcement of Winners and Prizes
When Can I Set-Up my Entry for the Fair?
Participants can set-up their entries prior to the event on Wednesday, May 15, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Aurora Town Hall.
What are the Judges Evaluating?

There will be three groups of judges, one for each age category. All of the judges will be using the same rubric to evaluate participants. Judges will be examining the following criteria.

  • Innovation & Creativity - Innovative and creative thinking shows participant(s) are working “outside the box” and mixing different ideas together to form new solutions.
  • Community Leadership - Participants can show leadership by recognizing and addressing an issue that affects their community. Issues should be current and solutions should have a positive impact on the lives of others.
  • Eco-Friendly - Participants show concern for nature by choosing a project that involves or addresses the environment through eco-friendly methods and solutions.
  • Functionality - Participants can demonstrate their product or idea has real world function that would improve the lives of others.
  • Process & Formation - Through presentation or display, participants can demonstrate their thought process and explain how the product/idea came to be.
My Entry Requires the Internet - Will there be Wi-Fi at the Fair for Participants to Use?
Yes, the Aurora Town Hall has free Wi-Fi access through access to an internet browser either on a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. There will likely be a higher than normal usage of the Wi-Fi that evening, so participants should not rely heavily on consistent access.
My Entry Requires Electricity - Will there be Access to Outlets at the Fair for Participants to Use?
There will be some access to outlets but it will be limited and assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Please indicate on your form if you require power and Town staff will inform you that power will be accessible for your booth upon confirmation of your application. Participants must bring their own power cords.
Who Should I Speak to if I Have More Questions?

Contact the Town of Aurora Special Events Division at any time for questions, concerns or comments.

Phone: 365-500-3165

Email: Special Events Team


Thank You to our Event Sponsors

Alectra company logo    Desjardins Insurance company logo


Aurora’s Teen Idol - Spring/Summer 2022

Aurora Teen Idol

Registration 
Are you between the ages of 12 and 17 and a resident of Aurora? Then you could be Aurora’s next Teen Idol. Registration takes place in the Spring each year. For more information, visit the Aurora Teen Idol webpage. This annual competition is a great opportunity for budding artists. 
Auditions 

For the audition round, each participant will prepare one song which they will perform in front of three judges. They can choose any song of their choice. The auditions will be taking place in June of each year. When you register to participate, more details, including the audition location will be sent to you.

The judges will be choosing eight semi-finalists which will perform one more time on Canada Day in Lambert Willson Park. Not only will these eight semi-finalists get to perform on the Canada Day stage, but each semi-finalist will also be invited to perform the national anthem at the beginning of one of the Concerts in the Park during the summer. 


Teens In Focus: Highlighting Teens in Aurora

Inspired by National Youth Week, Teens in Focus is all about recognizing and celebrating the youth in our community. The program aims at highlighting youth ages 12 to 17 years across Aurora.

Teens in focus image

What is Teens in Focus?
There are no requirements for accomplishments or merit! Instead, we want to highlight the everyday teens in our community, including those that make a difference, that are amazing friends, and that are just typical teens. The Town of Aurora is proud to have these teens as part of our community!
Nomination & Selection Process

Each month, teens will be selected from community submitted nominations and featured on the @AuroraTeens Instagram and the Town of Aurora website. Teens and community members are encouraged to submit nominations at any time by completing the following steps:

  • Email the Youth Division or Direct Message @AuroraTeens on Instagram.
  • Nominations must include name and Instagram username of the nominee (if they have an Instagram account), a brief reason why they are being nominated and a photo if possible.
  • Nominees must be between the ages of 12 to 17 years.

Nominations are subject to the discretion of Town staff. The Town of Aurora reserves the right to cancel, amend or change this program.

For questions or more information, please contact the Youth Division