Who am I and where am I going? These are the questions asked throughout the years by teenagers anxious about their future and their place in the world they are entering. The program called SLAPSHOT (Student Leadership Award Program for Students Hight On Learning) is run under the auspices of Rotary District 7090 during  the May 1-3  weekend in Ancaster at the Canterbury Hills for teens ages 15-18 for 100 young people from Western New York and Southern Ontario. Each participant chosen will be sponsored and paid for by his or her Rotary Club.

Once at the site, they will be challenged, both physically and mentally to find direction in their lives. The physical aspect of sports, competition, and the ever-popular High Ropes Course emphasize team work, trust, and self-confidence, while the mental segment, through public speaking, problem solving, and group discussion allow for the examination of such topics as bullying, violence, and peer pressure. Taken as a whole, these elements will raise the teen’s self-awareness and lead to a better understanding of the world in which they will find themselves. It has such an effect that former participants have commented “This program has given me confidence and show me that I’m not alone in my feelings” and “This weekend was fantastic-don’t stop running it. EVER!”  One stipulation for this weekend that the participants are committed to attending all of the sessions. To apply for this year’s session, please find the application form at the Rotary District website https://www.rotary7090.org/sitepage/what-is-slapshot