The City of Thousand Oaks Youth Services include the Youth Commission, Childcare Center and Directory, and Thousand Oaks Alex Fiore Teen Center. 

Interested in a unique leadership opportunity?

The Youth Leadership Summit is your opportunity to make Thousand Oaks a better place for teens!  Applications due February 10th!  See application for filing detail.

Our Mission
To serve City of Thousand Oaks youth citizens by offering a forum for them to provide input on their specific needs and concerns and make those formal recommendations to the City Council, youth agencies, and stakeholders. 

The City of Thousand Oaks Youth Commission Youth Summit has been designed to provide youth an opportunity to learn from leadership speakers, share concerns and ideas with community leaders, and discuss among themselves concerns or ideas with the goal of keeping our community youth friendly. 

The Youth Summit is not a one-way street.  As a participant, you will be expected to utilize your knowledge with active participation in roundtable discussions throughout the day.  You may also be selected to develop a summary report to provide at a City Council meeting. 

The Youth Summit will be held on February 25, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  (application submission is required to attend) and will include light breakfast (muffins, fruit, juice) and lunch (draft program below).  It will be held in the Marvin Smith Community Room at the Thousand Oaks Library.  Community service hours and a Leadership Certificate of Completion will be provided for participation following completion of an online evaluation post-conference. 

To be considered for this program, you must complete the application and submit it to the Youth Commission no later than EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 10, 2012 at 5 p.m.  Applications can be submitted via email: youthcommission@toaks.org; or U.S. Mail: Youth Commission, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362; or drop off at Teen Center. 

The Youth Leadership Summit is limited to 80 students so your application is a critical part of consideration of your participation.  Participation is limited to 7th through 12th grade students that either live or go to school in the City limits.  Students will be notified of acceptance by February 17, 2012.   The Youth Commission looks forward to your participation in this program.

DRAFT PROGRAM
8:45 a.m. Registration/Light snack - fruit, muffins, juice
9:00 a.m.  Welcome/2010 Summit Accomplishments
9:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker
10:15 a.m. Ice Breaker
11:00 a.m. Roundtable Discussions with Community Leaders
12:00 Noon Lunch with Community Leaders
1:00 p.m. Youth Focus Group Discussions
2:00 p.m. Reports, Evaluations, and Wrap Up

Youth Recognition Awards - Nomination Form

Youth/teens play an active role in supporting the community. They volunteer time, talent, and creativity to benefit hundreds of clubs, organizations, and events. From working with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, to assisting neighbors, tutoring, organizing fundraisers, and volunteering at events, their altruistic spirit is an example to all.

The City of Thousand Oaks Youth Commission hosts an annual event as a way to recognize and promote the outstanding efforts of the youth community. The Commission invites service organizations to nominate a deserving teen (age 13-19) that has made a significant voluntary contribution to the community-via online Nomination Form or printable pdf form.  Nominations are only accepted from service organizations/agencies/schools.  Please call (805) 381-7362 or e-mail Youthcommission@toaks.org if you have any questions.

Nominations are only accepted for youth 13-19 that live in the City of Thousand Oaks or attend a high school or middle school within the City.  Nomination forms for the 2012 Youth Recognition Awards are due March 1, 2012.  Applicants will be invited to interview with the Youth Commission at the Civic Arts Plaza on April 18 and 19.  The event will be held May 24, 2012 in the Scherr Forum Theatre.

Youth Volunteer Opportunities

The Youth Commission through the Youth Master Plan Summit learned from community teens that they were interested in one stop shopping for volunteer choices. They wanted information about different agencies - what they do, what type of work is available, and what type of volunteer they are looking for.They also wanted a place they could advertise their own group’s availability.  In an effort to meet that request, the Youth Commission developed a quarterly youth volunteer newsletter.

If your agency would like to be included in this unique volunteer recruitment opportunity, send your story and pictures to YouthCommission@toaks.org and we will include you in our next newsletter.

Interested in a unique leadership opportunity?

The Youth Commission through the Leadershipo Summit learned from community teens that there are eight areas of improvement/enhancement to keep our community youth friendly.  The Youth Commission used that information to develop the Youth Summit Implementation Plan and presented it to City Council on September 7, 2010 (Report to City Council).  With City Council approval, the Commission recruited 40 volunteers to work on the first year of implementation.  The teams made significant progress in developing and implementing programs/events that targeted goals in the areas of Stress, Bullying, Recreation, and Resources.  The 2010/2011 Progress Report to City Council provides information in detail. 

The Thousand Oaks Youth Commission Implementation Committee is your opportunity to make Thousand Oaks a better place for teens!
The Commission continues to recruit for Implementation Plan volunteers to plan and implement year-two recommendations and plan the next leadership summit.
Attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Marvin Smith Community Room of the Thousand Oaks Library.  This commitment is from October through June 2012.  Call (805) 381-7362 or e-mail youthcommission@toaks.org for reservations or additional information.  

The Youth Commission Team looks forward to your participation in this program.

Therapeutic Dance

One of the many challenges faced by teens and adults with disabilities is the lack of opportunities to enjoy the same range of experiences available to those without disabilities. The Youth Commission has risen to the challenge and has historically shown sustained support for the needs of young people with disabilities. The Youth Commission is proud to sponsor the Annual Therapeutic Dance for youth ages 13 and up with special needs.  

The 2012 Dinner and Dance - Totally Tropical will be on March 31, 2012 at the fabulous Thousand Oaks Teen Center.  The evening will include dinner, dancing, entertainment - a world renown juggler, souvenier photos, and balloon drop - don't miss it!  You can register at www.crpd.org or call CRPD Therapeutic Division at (805) 381-2739 for more information.
 
If you have questions about the Youth Commission or any of these events, please e-mail youthcommission@toaks.org or call 805.381.7362.