“In the space between the screen and the summit, youth discover who they are.”

BALANCE IN MOTION

Overview

Balance in Motion is Peak Youth’s annual youth-led short film competition and community event. It engages young people in the Sea to Sky region in telling their own stories about mental health, digital overload, and reconnection with nature, while simultaneously funding and showcasing our broader youth wellness programs.

By combining creative storytelling, outdoor experiences, and mentorship, Balance in Motion provides a visible, community-wide platform for youth mental health.

Program Design

Youth Short Film Competition

Participants create 10–15 minute short films on the theme:

“My story of finding balance between screens and the outdoors.”

Key elements:

  • Three-week production window for youth to plan, film, and edit

  • Cash awards and outdoor gear to recognize excellence and reduce participation barriers

  • Public community screening of selected films

  • Judging panel including filmmakers, athletes, and mental health advocates

Through this process, youth:

  • Reflect on their own mental health and coping strategies

  • Build practical skills in planning, collaboration, and communication

  • Experience the confidence of sharing their story with a supportive audience

  • Young people in the Sea to Sky region are experiencing:

    • Rising rates of anxiety, depression, and isolation

    • Increased screen time and digital dependence

    • Barriers to accessing consistent, strengths-based mental health support

    Balance in Motion responds to this need by:

    • Centering youth voices in conversations about mental health

    • Normalizing help-seeking and open dialogue

    • Highlighting the protective benefits of outdoor activity, movement, and mentorship

    The event also serves as an entry point into Peak Youth’s year-round programs, including mentorship, fitness coaching, and outdoor wellness initiatives.

  • Balance in Motion contributes to Peak Youth’s broader impact goals in three main areas:

    1. Youth Mental Health and Well-Being

      • Increased sense of connection and belonging

      • Reduced stigma around talking about mental health

      • Greater awareness of healthy ways to balance digital life and time outdoors

    2. Skills and Confidence

      • Development of creative, technical, and leadership skills

      • Opportunities for youth to see themselves as storytellers, leaders, and role models

      • Positive experiences of public recognition and community support

    3. Community Awareness and Engagement

      • Stronger community understanding of youth mental health challenges

      • Deeper engagement from caregivers, educators, and local businesses

      • A visible platform to highlight positive, youth-led solutions

    We track impact through participation numbers, post-event surveys, and feedback from youth, families, and partners.

  • Support from funders and partners is critical to delivering Balance in Motion at no or low cost to participants and their families.

    Funding helps to:

    • Cover event and screening costs (venue, technical support, accessibility)

    • Provide prizes, gear, and subsidies so cost is not a barrier to participation

    • Offer mentorship, coaching, and outdoor opportunities connected to the event

    • Support program coordination and evaluation, ensuring the initiative is sustainable and responsive to community needs

    By investing in Balance in Motion, funders are supporting:

    • Early, preventative mental health support rooted in movement and nature

    • Youth leadership and self-advocacy

    • A community-wide conversation grounded in youth experience, not just adult perspective

  • We welcome collaboration with:

    • Foundations and grantmakers focused on youth mental health, outdoor education, arts, and digital wellness

    • Local businesses and outdoor brands interested in sponsorship, in-kind support, or prize contributions

    • Schools and community organizations who wish to engage their students in the competition and related programming

    Partnerships can be tailored to align with funder priorities, including naming opportunities, specific sponsorship of awards or activities, and multi-year support linked to broader Peak Youth initiatives.