By Kristina Davis

Attendees at the Canadian Military Community National Youth Conference participated in a cycling challenge as part of a team-building exercise. Approximately 60 youth from CF families across the country and around the world attended the event at CFB Valcartier.

Posted 12 times in just 17 years, Mike Quesnelle has moved-a lot. But the teen knows he is not alone and that also means a lot. One of some 60 participants at the Canadian Military Community National Youth Conference "Making the Connection" held at CFB Valcartier from May 8-11 and hosted by the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA), Mr. Quesnelle says meeting other youth from across the country brings postings into perspective.

That common bond, he adds, also translates into networking opportunities to see just how other youth programs are run across the country. Himself a volunteer with the program in Shearwater, N.S., Mr. Quesnelle says they average between 35 and 40 kids at a variety of events. Many of the workshops offered at the youth conference, he adds, are not only relevant but also useful and timely.

He points specifically to sessions on self-defence and suicide prevention. "You learn how to treat people who may have problems," he explains. And while he says the issue of suicide doesn't come up often, it does come up. Plus, the conference also afforded him the opportunity to meet other CF youth from across the country and around the world, including Alaska and even Germany.

He says his parents supported his participation "full throttle" and encouraged him to not only network, but also take advantage of the visit to Québec City. Tyra Ball, an 18-year-old from Comox, B.C., has had a different posting experience. Initially, she and her family were posted to Cold Lake, Alta., for 11 years and then moved to the West Coast. She now lives off the base and feels somewhat disconnected from other youth in her area.

She says she wanted to attend the conference, in part, to try and re-instate this connection face-to-face. She's also been involved, from the beginning, with the Connecting CF Youth Web site. "Two years and counting," she says and what was at first a good part-time job has now brought her closer to the military and other youth. "You can't escape it," she says, "if you are posted once or 800 times, we all go through it.

And it's nice to find other people who understand it." The conference, she says, has afforded her the opportunity to meet other youth involved in the Web site and to share ideas. Chris Flood is the recreation coordinator and aquatics supervisor at 19 Wing Comox, B.C. In the job for five years, he was one of the adults attending the conference to network with some of his counterparts from across the country and to listen to what the youth had to say.

He says meeting face-to-face is always a clear benefit and is an occasion to discuss critical issues like programming and finance. And it's also a chance to see youth from his base in leadership positions. He says youth programming is critical to the CF and the right culture needs to be created to sustain it."It should only expand," he says."It should never be the status quo." Alla Ivask is the Senior Manager- Policy and Program Development-with the Directorate Military Family Services, a division of the CFPSA in Ottawa.

She says the conference reflects National Youth Model philosophy and provides a forum for youth to discuss issues and even make future recommendations. The conference, she stresses, was designed by and for youth.With workshops and team building exercises, and even focus groups and a town hall, she says youth drove programming for the conference. "It's run by youth," she explains,"and the adults are talking notes." In addition to the formal programming, some speakers also shared their experience. From Ottawa Councillor Alex Munter, who was recognized as "Young Entrepreneur of the Year" from then- Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, to longtime CF family supporter Senator Lucie Pepin and CFPSA CEO Major-General Doug Langton, she says the speakers "fired up" many of the youth in the audience.

Ultimately, maximum youth input was key. And while some adults may feel they need a translator to understand youth culture, Ms. Ivask says learning and understanding that culture is key for adults. "We were very mindful," she says, "adults were guests there." For more on CF youth programming, visit www.cfpsa.com