This annual powder paint challenge includes an epic obstacle course that winds through Joe Sams Park, offering all levels of challenges. Throughout the course participants are doused with a burst of colour (environmentally friendly dry corn starch paint).
A youth led event that empowers youth to take on leadership roles, build relationships and connect to the community.
Entertainment, Mini Games, Refreshments, Prizes, and more!
What does the money raised support?
All funds raised through the Paint Challenge help us reach our Targets including training and equipping young people to lead change. We are currently focused on:
- A youth-led program called HEART that creates systemic change aimed at reducing gender based violence. This program will pilot in the Flamborough Community and be scalable for schools and communities across Canada.
- Our Youth Portal and Parent Place are intended to connect our youth and parents to the information, resources, opportunities and support they are looking for, all in one place!
- What’s Your Path, helping young people refine their skills, passions & interests in order to develop a path for the future based on their priorities and goals. Through building confidence, reducing barriers, and connecting them to the resources and support they need, we will ensure young people are future-ready.
Thank you to our current sponsors!
Without the generous efforts of our sponsors, our beloved Flamborough Paint Challenge wouldn’t be what it is today! Thank you for your continuous support and services to be part of an incredible community event. We appreciate all you do.
To check out our sponsors head to Our Partners and Sponsors page!
How it all started… Gary’s Story
“I never really thought much about the community I lived in. In grade 11, my group of friends included a wide range but mainly the “jock culture” and “atrium kids”. What this meant is that we were into sports, very competitive and partying played a huge role in our lives. Most days were spent skipping class, doing drugs, hitting the gym and planning for the weekend. School was not a priority.
Long before that though my life was headed down a dark path. Even by grade 7, I had multiple criminal records and had my stomach pumped in public due to excessive drinking.
By high school I was homeless, living in a tent in the woods behind Waterdown High. I was addicted to drugs. I was hopeless and had plans to end my life.
Then I met Penny Deathe and got connected to Healthy Youth Network. Penny saw something in me and told me that I had value and talents that I wasn’t using. She said I had a purpose in life, and together we could start to figure out what that was. It took years of her and others consistently investing in me, but my life started to turn around.
One really important conversation I had with Healthy Youth Network was about what there was and wasn’t to do in Waterdown.”
– Gary Keith Holmes
I also realized that my love for partying could be used in a different way – I had an idea for a paint challenge that would give Flamborough youth something fun to do. As we started to plan my focus changed, I now had a purpose and was determined to see it through. I had the opportunity to meet with Healthy Youth Network and their partners and understand how they worked together to build these assets. Excited, I was able to identify new partners and the Flamborough Paint Challenge began to take shape.
People were interested and enthusiastic about my idea and wanted to help me make it a reality – not just build it for me, but help ME build it.
I’ve been able to turn myself around and am proud of the fact that I just finished my first year at college and graduated with honours – debt free. I’m finally proud of my accomplishments and the person I’ve become.
So don’t give up on those teens you may see as a problem, sometimes we just need some help to find our focus. Now I see the importance of community and I want other kids to as well.”
Gary Keith Holmes, Creator of the Flamborough Paint Challenge
Meet our Team
Mentored by adults, youth are empowered to take on leadership roles and build skills.
Challenging schools, community groups, businesses, sports organizations and people of all ages to create teams that work together.
The challenge will bring awareness and provide information on how to build these assets. Developmental assets are the 40 values, experiences and qualities that youth need to succeed.
Proceeds will go to help build a “What’s Your Path” Program for youth that will better prepare them for the future.
