Trailblazers Programs
Programs for kids with a facial difference and their siblings!
About Trailblazers
Trailblazers is the only program in Canada supporting children and youth with a facial difference and their families. Through creating a fun, safe, and inclusive environment, Trailblazers becomes a place to build life-long friendships with people who share similar life experiences. Trailblazers helps kids connect through activities, grow, and learn in different ways to maintain strong mental and social health.
Children and youth have gained a sense of belonging from our programs and feel more confident and empowered after participation.
For information about our volunteer opportunities with Trailblazers, click here.
Virtual Programs
Held monthly, our Virtual Programs allow our community all across Canada to come together over Zoom and participate in fun games, arts and crafts, and more! Our virtual programs are about an hour in length and activities can range from science experiments to virtual escape rooms to printmaking (just to name a few), all from the comfort of your own home.
These programs are FREE and open to kids with a facial difference and their siblings’ ages 6-15. Families are responsible for providing their own materials. With this in mind, we do our best to make them as material-friendly as possible and only keep to common household items (such as markers and paper).
Scroll down to see what programs we have available!
For programs for teens (15-18) please click here.
Trailblazers-on-the-Road
Trailblazers on the Road are our in-person community-based family programs. We are coming to a number of locations in 2023. Click on the “Locations” tab below to see where we are going. Registration for some locations is now available. We hope to see you there!
Inquiry Forms
Please click here to head to our Inquiry Forms!
Your answers will help guide the types of programs AboutFace offers in the future. Your input is vital!
The Details
- Spring-Summer Virtual Programs
- TOTR - Across Canada
These programs are open to kids with a facial difference and their siblings, ages 6-15.
May 13, 1pm ET – Kids Virtual – Face Equality Week
Join us as we celebrate Face Equality Week with special guest, Miya Adout, a Certified Music Therapist.
Music therapists utilize the therapeutic relationship as well as musical experiences including singing, songwriting, improvisation, and listening interventions to help a client meet their individualized goals. Goals can range from enhancing self-esteem, improving social and communication skills, exploring interpersonal relationships, and much more.
Registration closes May 8 at 5pm ET. Register at this link for all monthly Trailblazers sessions.
June 17, 1pm ET – Les Volcans avec AboutFace et Sainte-Justine
Passe tes lunettes de protection! Mets-toi dans la peau d’un scientifique grâce au programme exclusif de Sainte-Justine. Nous construirons des volcans et on les regardera exploser! Programme en français.
Les inscriptions ferment le 12 juin à 17 h (heure de l’Est), n’oublie pas de t’enregistrer en suivant le lien « Trailblazers ».
Ce programme virtuel est dédié aux patients de Sainte-Justine à Montréal qui sont âgés de 6 à 13 ans.
June 22, 7pm ET – Family Night – Talent Show!
Highlight your family’s talents in the Family Night Talent Show! Magic tricks? Dance moves? Musical instruments? Crafts? Come show them off!
Registration closes June 16 at 5pm ET. Register at this link.
July 20, 7pm EST – Family Night – Game Night!
It’s Family Game Night! Join us for some friendly competition in a series of games – Pictionary, Charades, Guess Who, and more!
Registration closes July 14 at 5pm ET. Register at this link for all monthly Trailblazers sessions.
August 14-18, 3pm ET daily – Summer Virtual Camp – Science Week
Put on your goggles and lab coat – it’s Science Week with AboutFace! Join us for Summer Virtual Camp as we explore different branches of Science each day – Biology, Physics, and Chemistry through various activities.
The cost of the program is $20. Materials for the week will be provided.
Registration closes August 1 at 5pm ET. Follow this link to register. For subsidy info, contact Adriana, Program Manager, Child, Youth, and Family Programs: adriana@aboutface.ca.
Locations:
Halifax, NS – Saturday, April 29, 2023
Join us for a day of fun-filled activities for the whole family at Cole Harbour Place on April 29th from 10am-3pm. Registration closes April 11th at 5pm EST.
Calgary, AB – Saturday, May 27, 2023
Join us for a day of fun-filled activities for the whole family at Parkdale Community Association from 10am-1pm. Register at the link below.
Ottawa, ON – Saturday, June 3, 2023
Join us for a day of fun-filled activities for the whole family at the McNabb Recreation Centre from 10am-2pm. Registration closes May 3rd at 5pm EST.
Unfortunately, due to very low registration, this session is cancelled.
Kelowna, BC – Saturday, June 10, 2023
Join us for a day of fun-filled activities for the whole family at Cedar Creek Community Hall from 10am-1pm. Registration closes May 10th at 5pm EST.
Unfortunately, due to very low registration, this session is cancelled.
Winnipeg, MB – Saturday, June 24, 2023
Join us for a day of fun-filled activities for the whole family at Notre Dame Recreational Centre on June 24th from 10am-2pm.
This event is SOLD OUT. Registration for this event is now closed. Only those who have registered for this event will be able to attend.
Regina, SK – Saturday, September 16, 2023
Join us for a day of fun-filled activities for the whole family at Wascana Rehabilitation Centre on September 16th from 10:30am-2:30pm. Registration closes August 16th at 5pm EST.
Volunteer!
If you are interested in volunteering with our Trailblazers programs please contact adriana@aboutface.ca or call 1-800-665-3223 x22
Questions?
If you have any questions about eligibility or child, youth and family programs, please contact info@aboutface.ca or call 1-800-665-3223 x22