The project went very well. We had six teenage boys from the high school participate, along with one younger student from the elementary school. His mother felt he could benefit from the experience, even though the program was originally designed for high school students.
My goal was to create something unique, specifically for teen boys, led and facilitated by men in the community, offering them accessible, healthy tools to manage stress rather than turning to vaping, drinking, smoking, or drugs.
To help shape the program, I consulted several male friends and fathers for ideas on how to better engage teen boys. One of them recommended I reach out to a friend of his who facilitates men’s groups and leads breathwork and cold plunge sessions. He also connected me with a local businessman who builds and rents saunas, which added a valuable element to the experience.
Coincidentally, the high school hosted a Wellness Fair shortly after I received the grant. I created posters and spoke with school counselors, teachers, administrators, and students to spread the word. I also shared the event on our community Facebook page, where it was reshared several times.
One of the challenges I encountered was engaging the boys directly. I had planned to ‘hire’ a Grade 12 student to act as a peer ambassador for the program, but with prom and graduation approaching, many older students were too busy to participate. I also sensed that some of the boys may have felt intimidated or unsure about joining an unfamiliar experience.
When I spoke with the boys after the event, most of them said they really enjoyed it. My son shared, “It was better than I expected.” One parent told me, “My son had such a wonderful day. He came home with the biggest smile and was genuinely so appreciative of the opportunity.” Another boy mentioned that he discovered he could handle challenging situations (ie. Cold plunge, by learning to engage with his breath.
I’m really happy with how the event turned out, and I’m so grateful for the generous support from the Neighbourhood Small Grants program
