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; Local youth to see Canada through Katimavik program : Our home and native land‘ raduating from high Gchool or university can be a confusing time for young people. Those uncertain about their futures realize they‘re supposed to be on the cusp of adulthood even though they still feel like kids. There‘s the old stereoâ€" type about young North Americans going to "find themselves" by "backâ€"packâ€" ing across Europe" when they‘re through with school. The Government of Canada‘s Department of Heritage apparently picked up on this trend more than 25 years ago, and initiated Katimavik: Canada‘s leading national youth service learning program, which encourages professional and personal develcpment through volunteer work on community projects around the country. And while students conâ€" tinue to participate in this generationsâ€"old ritual of touring Europe, little is heard about kids making a similar trek across this parâ€" ticular continent. Since 1977, over 24,000 participants between 17 and 21 years of age have benefitâ€" ted from the program by traveling across Canada, meeting new people, learnâ€" ing new skills and making career and educational choices they may not have thought of previously. After hearing about Katiâ€" mavik from his mother, 19â€" yearâ€"old Waterloo resident Brett Steele will soon be a particpant in the program, as the young lifeguard at Mosei fin’nger Pool leaves for a t P sidehcy in Vancouver this week. "I didn‘t really want to go to university right after high By VisH KHanna For The Chronicle school because I felt like 1 wanted to do something else," Steele explained. "My mom thought this seemed like an interesting program and so I checked it out on the internet. It was a really easy amplication process and they told me I was in." After Vancouver, Steele will spend two and a half mhonths in Bonnyville, Alberta before finishing off the nineâ€"month program in Mirabel, Quebec. It could be quite a shock for someâ€" one who hasn‘t really ever been away from home for an extended period. "I‘m not too nervous, Steele said bravely. "I will miss home, of course, but 1‘ll be out on my own and that‘s part of growing up, right?" _ While he is aware that he‘s going on an allâ€"expensâ€" es paid trip by himself, Steele also recognizes what a unique opportunity he has been given by Katimavik. He anticipates doing a bit of community service and Brett Steele of Waterloo leaves this week to take part in the Katimavik program LIFESTYLE social work while away, and also hopes to work on his "I referee minor hockey here and I‘ve already set up a refereeing job in Vancouâ€" ver, so that‘ll be something on the side," he said. For Steele, taking part in the project is an excellent way to get to know Canada, a country whose landscape he is only partially familiar "1 want to know my country so that I can talk about the whole thing, not just one little corner," he said emphatically. "My dad‘s from PE.1. so I‘ve been there and that was pretty nice to visit. I‘ve seen a bit of Quebec too but that‘s about it really. It‘s such a big country and, from what I hear, it‘s such a beautiful place." Steele‘s experience as a lifeguard makes him feel that teaching young chilâ€" dren might be the vocation for him in the future. Although he has had plans to attend university, it was not indecision about his career that caused him to defer his entry butâ€"like a lot of prospective stu; dentsâ€"the lack of financial resources. "I need money first; that‘s my biggest concern," Steele said. "I don‘t want to get a loan and I don‘t want to rely on my parents because they have my two younger sisters to worry about too. So, it‘ll mostly be on my back." In the meantime, Steele is excited about Katimavik and is optimistic that it will be a truly rewarding experiâ€" ence. "I hope to see the counâ€" try and try to figure out what 1 like about myself and figâ€" ure out what I want to do. I‘m hoping this might give me a greater understanding of who I am and what my role is." To learn more about Katimavik, contact Jennifer Timmons at 1â€"888â€"525â€" 1503, ext. 229 or visit www katimavik.org. HRONICLE | His books include the acclaimed Son of the Mob and Maxx Comedy, and the recent bestâ€"selling triloâ€" gies Dive, Everest and Island. He also wrote classics like Don‘t Care High and Our Man Weston. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Macâ€" donald Hall series, Scholastic is releasing 25th anniversary editions of two more titles in the series â€" Beware the Fish! and The Wizzle War. The 23rd World Religions conference will be held Oct. 4 at the University of Waterloo. s The theme of this year‘s conference is "In Search of the Existence of God." Several renowned scholars are invited to address the gathering on specific topics. _ _ The conference also provides the delegates an opportunity of affiliating between the followers of all faiths, philosophical traditions and cultural backâ€" grounds. Meet Canadian children‘s author Gordan Korman, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. at Chapters in Waterloo. ______ _ Korman wrote his first book, the nowâ€"classic This Can‘t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall, for Scholastic Canada at age 13 and has gone on to write more than 40 books for middle grade and young adult readers. Born in Canada, Korman lives with his wife and children just outside New York City. 0 Waterloo Regional Children‘s Museum is holding its grand opening Sept. 27 at 11:30 a.m. _ _ The museum is opening its doors to the little ones to open their eyes to the world of art and technology at play. Play with the exhibits for the first time includâ€" ing drawing with lasers, conducting music with gears and sending messages through the air. The opening ceremonies will be held at 11:30 a.m at the museum‘s front doors. Korman will be signing these titles and more dur ing the event at Chapters. Meet lan Newton, the museum‘s inaugural Artist in Residence and see the special exhibit Contraptions A to Z only at the museum until Jan. 28. The museum opens to the public from 12â€"5 p.m., with lots of great activities for the kids and families inside the museum located at 10 King St. W. in Kitchâ€" ener in its inaugural weekend Sept. 27â€"28. Children‘s author visits Waterloo Chapters store UW hosts annual World Religions conference Children‘s museum opens this weekend