The Youth of the Blue Mountains have been so busy their thumbs have turned green.

A group of young people, led by Joanna Garland, Youth Coordinator for The Blue Mountains, has started a community garden in town.

The 20 foot by 15 foot plot near the Georgian Trail off Mill St. features heirloom organic vegetables including carrots, lettuce, peas, beets, Brussels sprouts, watermelon, cucumber and pumpkin.  

The youth will tend to the garden and are hoping to sell the produce locally, with funds raised going to the youth council or back into supplies for next year's community garden.

Garland plans to have an official ceremony to introduce the garden to the community later this summer.

Thirty-four local businesses have achieved official youth friendly designation, after meeting criteria set by the youth council.

Garland hopes the program will continue growing and that more businesses will join the initiative.

Garland is recruiting a team of youth volunteers to help deliver the Climate Change Action Guide, put together by the town. The team will go door-to-door handing out guides and encouraging environmentally friendly living. They should be around town with the guides in late July or early August.

Details for the end of summer youth music festival are nearly complete. Headlining the free show at Bayview Park is Green Go - a band from Guelph. Fire dancers, body painters, a drum circle and a barbecue are also on the entertainment list for the August 29 event.

Plans are in the works for a BMX bike park at Tomahawk. A few local youth approached Garland with an idea for the park, and she worked with Shawn Everitt, director of recreation, to start the process. Excavating should start next week.

The youth council will meet again mid-July. Garland is always looking for youth volunteers. Interested young people can call her at 519-599-3131 ext. 303 or email her at jgarland@thebluemountains.ca.

Summer youth events to look forward to

On July 14 and August 18, The Blue Mountains will host a Youth Yoga night at the L.E. Shore library starting at 7 p.m.

Cost is $7, and space is limited so register before hand by contacting Youth Coordinator Joanna Garland at jgarland@thebluemountains.ca.

On July 20 at Bayview Park, Youth of the Blue Mountains will host a drop in tennis event at 4 p.m. Bring your own rackets or borrow some when you get there.

On August 12 to celebrate International Youth Day, the Youth of the Blue Mountains will hose a Critical Mass Bike Ride starting at 1 p.m. at the L.E. Shore Memorial Library.

On July 7, 28 and August 4 and 24, Youth of the Blue Mountains is hosting $2 movies under the stars nights starting at 9 p.m. at the L.E. Shore Memorial Library courtyard.

On August 6, youth can join in on a paddling adventure with Free Spirit Tours, based out of Heathcote on the Beaver River.

The cost is $10 and space is limited, so pre-register with Joanna Garland at jgarland@thebluemountains.ca.

On August 29 Youth of The Blue Mountains is hosting a concert by the bay featuring Green Go and The Anytime Craze, a drum circle, fire dancers and a barbecue. The concert begins at 5 p.m. at Bayveiw park and admission is free.