Making youth active eco-citizens
What is C-Vert?
C-Vert is an urban ecology program in which youth embark on an eco-citizen journey together.
It gives teens aged 14 to 16 the opportunity to learn and acquire new skills to protect the environment and benefit their community.
This is mainly done through workshops, nature outings, and community action.
Why get involved with C-Vert?
C-Vert is a transversal program that aims to train the eco-citizens of tomorrow by acting on the following points:
- Sense of initiative: Develop participants’ independence and leadership skills
- Social and environmental impact: Commit to protecting the environment through concrete community action
- Pedagogy: Teach about ecology and sustainable development
- Socialization: Create strong bonds within the group
- Reconnection with nature: Protect young people living in the city from nature deficit disorder by (re)connecting them with nature
How the program works
The goal is to develop and manage projects with the help of an experienced youth worker, thus fostering participants’ independence, leadership, and environmental knowledge.
- Groups of 15 to 20 young people from neighbourhoods in Montréal and Gatineau
- Group meetings once a week after school
- Program duration from October to July
- Group project presentation at the end of the program
- Freedom to decide with the group what activities, training, and actions to carry out during the internship
- Possibility for participants to pursue their environmental engagement with C-Vert+ after completing C-Vert
Discover the list of locations and boroughs were C-Vert and C-Vert+ are offered↓.
About C-Vert+:
C-Vert+ is a more in-depth continuation of the C-Vert program. The goal of this ongoing program is to develop participants’ fields of interest, skills, and networks by exploring individual and collective avenues of engagement.
Examples of projects
Comm(UNITY) in the City: Cultivate the Change Exhibition
- Organization of a photography exhibition presented at Concordia University’s 4th Space Gallery and at the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce YMCA Concordia et au YMCA Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
- Project carried out as part of the “Grandir avec Montréal” study
- Watch the video of the exhibition
Composting
Design and creation of vermicomposting bins by the CDN-NDG C-Vert group and supported by Villa Maria’s Techno-Farm program
Community kitchen
Preparation of vegetarian dishes for families in need, an annual project by the VSMPE (TOHU) C-Vert+ group
Urban agriculture and greening
Fruit tree planting and construction of garden bins at the urban garden in Vieux-Gatineau by the Gatineau C-Vert group
How to get involved with C-Vert?
Registration for the program is done with the youth workers, who recruit in high schools in boroughs where the program is offered throughout the month of September. If a teen you know is interested in C-Vert, you can write to the C-Vert team in your borough or write to our main email address at cvert@ymcaquebec.org.
Contact C-Vert
Where is C-Vert offered?
The program is offered in the following locations:
Greater Montréal :
- Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
Comité de Surveillance Louis-Riel – 6751a, Beaubien Street Est, Montréal, H1M 3B2
c-vert.hm@ymcaquebec.org
- Villeray–St-Michel–Parc-Extension
La TOHU – 2345, Jarry Street E., Montréal, H1Z 4P3
cvert@tohu.ca
- Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
YMCA Notre-Dame-De-Grâce – 4335, Hampton Street, Montréal, H4A 2L3
cvert.ndg@ymcaquebec.org
YMCA Saint-Laurent – 1745, Décarie Street, Montréal, H4L 3N5
cvert.sl@ymcaquebec.org
Bibliothèque Saint-Henri – 4707, Notre-Dame Street W., Montréal, H4C 1S9 cvert.so@ymcaquebec.org
Bibliothèque de Saint-Léonard – 8420, Lacordaire Blvd., Saint-Léonard, H1R 3G5 cvert.stleo@ymcaquebec.org
Gatineau :
École Polyvalente Le Carrefour – 50, chemin de la Savane, Gatineau, J8T 3N2
c-vertgatineau@enviroeducaction.org
Partnerships
If you have any questions, please consult our FAQ
What kind of activities will I be participating in as a member of C-Vert?
As a C-Vert participant, you will take part in lots of activities, like bike trips, weekend camping trips, environmental workshops, meetings with inspiring people… It’s up to you! You will also take part in a 4-week paid internship in the summer, where you will help create and execute projects in your community.
When and where are the group meetings?
Meetings take place once a week after school. They are held at a neighbourhood YMCA or a partner organization. These meetings last for about two hours. The meeting’s activities vary from group to group, because participants choose their own activities based on their interests. You will become a better leader and eco-citizen as weeks go by!
When do we go on camping trips? What are they like?
There will be a weekend camping trip in the fall, winter and spring. You will see how the same forest changes from season to season! You will also learn about ecosystems and take part in seasonal outdoor activities like canoeing and snowshoeing. Camping trips are organized in partnership with experienced organizations, such as Camp YMCA Kanawana. Each group will have an opportunity to explore nature with two qualified wilderness guides and their C-Vert facilitator.
What is the internship? When is it?
The internship gives you a chance to create an environmental project for your community. You will design the program with the help of the C-Vert facilitator. The internship takes place in July. It is a remunerated internship that provides valuable work experience.
I don’t know how to ride a bicycle. Can I still join?
Absolutely! C-Vert works with an organization that gives lessons for people who have never ridden a bike. With the help of experienced instructors, you’ll be able to ride your bike with your friends in no time. Plus, we provide bikes to those who don’t have one.
How much does it cost to sign up for the program?
It’s free! You don’t have to buy equipment for bike or camping trips either, because everything is provided: tents, sleeping bags, hiking boots, specialized apparel, etc.