Did you know that the YMCA offers SHSM Workshops? Learn all about this special take on high school education below:
The Specialist High Skills Major program (SHSM for short) lets students focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students receive the SHSM's seal on their diploma when they:
The YMCA provides three-hour SHSM Workshops that allow students to complete certifications towards their SHSM program. Each Workshop includes an indoor classroom session and outdoor experiential learning activities which are offered at our two Outdoor Education Centres, Cedar Glen and Camp Pine Crest.
Workshops include:
Other Workshops include:
After each outdoor activity, our staff facilitate discussions with students to explore what was learnt from the activity.
The workshops are designed to be fun, interactive and encourage student involvement. Our Outdoor Centres are open year round, so SHSM Workshops can be completed anytime during the school year, including the winter months. Schools can come for daylong or overnight trips. They can complete two SHSM Workshops in a day trip, and even more if they stay overnight (an overnight trip includes accommodation and meals).
Email Gordon Dunlop at gordon.dunlop@ymcagta.org for more information about the YMCA's SHSM Workshops.
The Specialist High Skills Major program (SHSM for short) lets students focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students receive the SHSM's seal on their diploma when they:
- complete a specific bundle of 8-10 courses in the student's selected field
- earn valuable industry certifications including first aid and CPR qualifications
- gain important skills on the job with employers
The YMCA provides three-hour SHSM Workshops that allow students to complete certifications towards their SHSM program. Each Workshop includes an indoor classroom session and outdoor experiential learning activities which are offered at our two Outdoor Education Centres, Cedar Glen and Camp Pine Crest.
Workshops include:
- The Leadership Workshop, which involves team building challenges designed to encourage communication, problem solving and creative thinking.
- The Communication Workshop, which includes activities such as the low ropes course or maze, that challenge students to communicate effectively to succeed.
Other Workshops include:
- Customer Service
- Conflict Resolution
- Group Dynamics
- Personality Inventory
- Map and Compass Orienteering
- Leave No Trace Camping
- Problem Solving
- Landscape Technique
- Standard First Aid.
After each outdoor activity, our staff facilitate discussions with students to explore what was learnt from the activity.
The workshops are designed to be fun, interactive and encourage student involvement. Our Outdoor Centres are open year round, so SHSM Workshops can be completed anytime during the school year, including the winter months. Schools can come for daylong or overnight trips. They can complete two SHSM Workshops in a day trip, and even more if they stay overnight (an overnight trip includes accommodation and meals).
Email Gordon Dunlop at gordon.dunlop@ymcagta.org for more information about the YMCA's SHSM Workshops.
