Loading, about as long as a coffee at the Lion’s Head.
Loading, about as long as a coffee at the Lion’s Head.
For youth aged 12 to 24, and for parents, caregivers, and allies. Programs, crisis support, summer camps, and places to belong.
Hey, youth of Castlegar
Whether you're looking for a summer camp, a group of friends, a counsellor who actually listens, or just a quiet place to charge your phone, this page is your map of what's here.
If today is hard: Kids Help Phone is 24/7, free, confidential. Text 686868 or call 1-800-668-6868.
Youth crisis lines
YAN is a Castlegar-based youth council run by the Castlegar & District Community Services Society (CDCSS), with funding partners including Columbia Basin Trust and the Vancouver Foundation.
First time? You don’t need to commit to anything. Show up to one meeting, see if it’s your kind of thing, and decide from there. CDCSS posts the next meeting date and the room number on their site.
The Complex (operated by the Regional District of Central Kootenay) is Castlegar's main hub for recreation, fitness, and seasonal camps.
Foundry BC is a province-wide organization offering no-cost mental-health counselling, primary care, substance use services, and peer support to youth ages 12 to 24 and their families.
If texting feels lower-stakes than talking, that’s totally fair. They don’t know who you are. It’s just you and a counsellor on the other end. You can stop the conversation any time, no follow-up, no record at school, no parent call.
Tip
A text feels lower-stakes
The Castlegar & District Public Library at 1005 3rd Street is a free youth hub:
Supporting a young person through hard moments is its own challenge. Resources:
Kids Help Phone
Call, text (686868), or chat. 24/7. Free.
Foundry BC
Virtual counselling, primary care, peer support for 12 to 24.
Castlegar Youth Action Network
Weekly youth council, ages 12 to 18.
Community Complex (RDCK)
Pool, gym, camps, ice arena.
Mental Health & Crisis Support
Full crisis line + ongoing-care directory.
Indigenous Resources
Culturally specific support.
Still need help?
Faster than calling for non-urgent issues. We respond within one business day.
Verified against CDCSS, RDCK Community Services, Foundry BC, Kids Help Phone, Interior Health, and Selkirk College. Programs and schedules change each year, confirm with each provider.