Planet Youth Timiskaming: Building Stronger, Healthier Communities Across the North
- Morgan Johanson
- Nov 13, 2025
- 4 min read
When you think about what makes a community feel connected, supported, and full of opportunity for young people, Planet Youth Timiskaming is one of the first names that comes to mind. Rooted in a proven, research-driven model from Iceland and powered by local passion right here in Northern Ontario, Planet Youth Temiskaming is helping youth thrive across New Liskeard, Englehart, and Kirkland Lake.
But what truly sets this initiative apart isn’t just the data or the strategy — it’s the incredible, community-building events happening all across the district.
Let’s take a closer look at how Planet Youth is making a difference in each of our communities.
🌟 What Is Planet Youth Temiskaming?
Planet Youth Temiskaming is part of an international movement focused on supporting youth through connection, healthy activities, and community involvement. Instead of focusing on “don’ts,” Planet Youth focuses on the “do’s” — creating spaces where young people can build friendships, use their voices, and feel grounded in supportive environments.
It’s community-led, youth-informed, and built around the philosophy that when we give young people more opportunities to connect, grow, and have fun, they flourish.
💬 Planet Youth in New Liskeard: Community, Creativity, and Connection
New Liskeard has become a vibrant hub for Planet Youth programming, offering events that give local youth a safe, fun place to spend time after school and on weekends.
From Youth Hubs and open-gym nights to creative arts sessions and special themed events, New Liskeard is always buzzing. These gatherings bring together youth from across Temiskaming Shores, encouraging them to build friendships and enjoy positive, substance-free activities in a welcoming atmosphere.
Whether it’s a basketball night, a chill hangout, or a hands-on creative workshop, New Liskeard continues to be one of the strongest anchors of Planet Youth’s mission.
🌲 Planet Youth in Englehart: Small Town, Big Impact
Englehart may be small, but its role in Planet Youth is mighty.
Planet Youth events here — including skill-building workshops, youth meet-ups, and school-based activities — help create meaningful connection points for local teens. Englehart’s events are shaped by feedback from youth themselves, giving them ownership and a real voice in what happens in their community.
By offering safe, accessible programming right in town, Planet Youth helps ensure that youth in surrounding rural areas don’t miss out on opportunities available elsewhere in the district.
❄️ Planet Youth in Kirkland Lake: Youth Voices Leading the Way
Kirkland Lake has embraced Planet Youth with open arms — and the response from local youth has been incredible.
From youth-led action meetings to drop-in events and school-based initiatives, KL is filled with momentum. Events here often focus on empowerment, leadership, and giving youth a space to speak openly about what they want to see in their community.
Whether it's a social event, a sports night, or a new idea brought forward by the youth themselves, Planet Youth Kirkland Lake has become a cornerstone for connection and community building.
Check Out the Events Calendar
Planet Youth Timiskaming maintains an Activity & Events Calendar that lists upcoming hubs in Kirkland Lake, Englehart, and New Liskeard. It’s the easiest way for families and teens to see:
When the next hub is in their area
What activities are offered
Which spaces will be open
How they can participate
View This Months Calendar of Activities:
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or young person looking for new opportunities — the events calendar is the best place to start.
What the Hub Offers: Activities, Support & Real Opportunities
The Floating Youth Hub provides a wide range of options for youth — not just entertainment, but meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and build confidence. Each hub may look a little different depending on the community and schedule, but programs often include:
Recreational Activities
Open gym nights
Basketball, volleyball, and casual sport
Gaming sessions
Skate ’n’ chill nights
Creative arts workshops
Mental Health & Peer Support
Access to trained counsellors or peer mentors
A safe place to talk, share, or simply be around others
Resources that support emotional wellness
Basic Needs Supports
Free snacks
Hygiene products
A welcoming, no-pressure environment
Skill-Building Workshops
Resume writing
Cooking and meal basics
Financial literacy
Life skills that empower independence
Youth Leadership Opportunities
Youth can take on leadership roles within the hub — helping plan events, assisting peers, building confidence, and giving back to their community. This isn’t just programming — it’s a foundation for healthier, happier, more supported youth across the district.
🤝 Why These Events Matter
Across New Liskeard, Englehart, and Kirkland Lake, Planet Youth events are doing more than filling calendars:
They’re…
Strengthening community bonds
Giving youth safe spaces to gather
Encouraging healthy habits
Creating leadership opportunities
Reducing isolation
Offering positive, substance-free alternatives
Helping families, schools, and communities work together
Planet Youth Temiskaming isn’t just a program — it’s a movement that’s shaping what it means to grow up in Northern Ontario.
Looking Ahead
As Planet Youth continues to expand, more events, workshops, and youth-driven initiatives will roll out across the Temiskaming District. And the best part? This movement grows stronger every time a young person attends, shares an idea, or brings a friend along.
If you haven’t checked out a Planet Youth event yet — in New Liskeard, Englehart, or Kirkland Lake — now is the perfect time. This is community at its best. This is youth leadership at its strongest. This is Planet Youth Temiskaming.
Whether a teen is dropping in for a fun activity, to meet new friends, or to get support during a tough week, the Floating Youth Hub offers a place where they can show up exactly as they are.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a youth in New Liskeard, Englehart or Kirkland Lake — or a parent, educator or community partner — the work of Planet Youth Timiskaming is something worth engaging with. It’s local, it’s inclusive, and it’s about building the kind of community where young people thrive, not just survive.Whether you join a Youth Hub, donate your idea to the Youth Activity Fund, or simply show up and bring a friend — you’re part of something meaningful.
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