Want to have an unforgettable summer, make connections, and learn about Northern Canada…all from your own home? Host with Northern Youth Abroad this summer! Host Families play an essential role in the program by supporting participants day-to-day and including them in family life.
235 host families and counting since 1998!
Apply 2026
Applications to be a 2026 Host Family are open! Hosting dates are June 20th-July 21st, 2026. Apply to be a full-time or respite host during this time!
How to Apply
Fill out an application by clicking “apply now”,
Participate in an interview over zoom,
Submit a Vulnerable Sector Check for all family members aged 18+.
Learn about Northern Canada directly from Northerners
Support youth as they expand their horizons and reach their goals
Make a lasting impact in the lives of the youth you host
Explore your community from a new perspective
Have some fresh energy in the house and make new connections
Gain access to an incredible network of NYA volunteers, staff, and stakeholders from across Canada
Have fun!
““It is a great program overall. We have hosted for the last 17 years and there is always so much to learn and experience. The participants became family.“
– Host family in Windsor, ON
When would I be hosting?
For just over 4 weeks, from mid-June to mid-July.
Who can be a Host Family?
Anyone supportive of the youth we serve!
People from a variety of backgrounds and family makeups – we have had Host Families who are single individuals, couples with kids, retired couples, LGBTQ2S+ couples, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Families who have enough time to spend with the youth on weeknights and weekends
Families who live in any of Canada’s provinces, ideally in a city that is not too rural nor too busy and overwhelming.
Families who can accommodate two Participants, each with their own beds (they can share a room with each other).
All members of selected Host Families aged 18 and older must submit Criminal Record Checks including Vulnerable Sector Screening to NYA before hosting.
Who are the youth I would host?
NYA Participants are youth aged 15 to 20 from Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, over 99% of whom are First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. NYA selects youth using a wide range of criteria, aiming to offer opportunities to those who could benefit most from participating. We look for youth who may have limited previous travel experience, a potential for growth and leadership capacity, and a desire to complete the NYA program components. Typically, we receive about 250 applications for about 40 participant spots.
Once accepted to the program, Participants complete NYA assignments which include exploring their skills and interests, organizing fundraising events, and volunteering in their home communities. The assignments help participants identify their strengths and goals in preparation for the work and travel components of the program. In addition, each Participant is required to submit a Criminal Background Check (if aged 18+) and Medical Form before travel.
Why do the Participants get placed in pairs?
Each Host Family gets matched up with two Participants, who will typically be of the same gender and from the same territory. Pairing the youth helps build a support system for the Participants in which they have a buddy from the program to travel with and share their experience. It helps the youth feel more comfortable and confident and build life-long friendships.
“What I liked about hosting was observing the growth of the youth as they became more comfortable. I also enjoyed assisting them through their goals and showing them around.”
– Host family in Ottawa, ON
How will the youth spend their days?
The participants will volunteer 7 hours per day at a work placement in your community. We always appreciate suggestions from Host Families of possible volunteering placements, but it is our job to set these up in advance of the placement. Each youth will be expected to volunteer 35 hours per week, with evenings and weekends free to get involved in local summer activities like sports, festivals, sightseeing, etc. Work placements offer participants the opportunity to acquire some basic skills and hands-on experience in a chosen field of interest. This experience will help the participants explore their career aspirations and ideally inspire them to pursue the schooling, training, or apprenticeships necessary to reach their goals. Participants will also have a Summer Assignment Pack to complete while staying with you (sort of like homework).
What is expected of me?
Treat the Participants like family – give them responsibilities, guide them in decision-making, include them in opportunities in the family and community.
Provide a warm and respectful environment for everyone.
Provide meals and some transportation (the Host Family Stipend covers some of the costs of this).
Be understanding of different cultures.
Understand that the Participants are teenagers, and have the challenges and needs that come along with this age group.
Set clear boundaries.
Support Participants as they deal with homesickness.
You must respect and help enforce the behaviour guidelines that Participants agree to, including Participants abstaining from alcohol and drug consumption.
Have fun!
Above all, enjoy the experience! This is a wonderful opportunity for connection and cultural exchange, both for the Participants and your family. While in southern Canada, many previous NYA Participants have enjoyed taking part in weekends at the cottage, family reunions, going to concerts, live theatre, and even a trip or two to see nearby attractions. Host Families have also found it to be an enriching and rewarding opportunity to learn about northern cultures and lifestyles while providing life-changing experiences for the youth staying in their homes.
“Be flexible, patient and open-minded. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Enjoy having fun with them, but also let them do their own thing–like teenagers want to do.”
– Host family in Milton, ON
What support will I receive?
A thorough handbook that outlines what to expect, best practices, and details about the placement.
A group training call with the opportunity to meet the staff and other host families, and ask any questions you may have.
Access to detailed information, including information about your Participants, where they come from, and any relevant info about them.
Regular check-ins from the NYA Staff, and access to the Staff during the day via phone or email.
Access to a 24/7 emergency line during the hosting time, forwarded to an on-call NYA Staff.
Access to the entire NYA team, who are there to help you along the way.
The Host Family Stipend of $500 per week to help cover costs of the placement (see below).
Additional funds to help cover additional costs (like gym passes or bus passes).
Access to the network of other Host Families, who you can reach out to if you’d like.
Access to an on-call Program Counsellor, a trained mental health worker, who can provide excellent support as necessary.
“I enjoyed sharing my home and life with others. The students were good to my kids. I liked feeling like I was helping others explore something new that will help them into their future.”
– Host family in Hamilton, ON
How much financial support will I receive?
This is a volunteering opportunity; however:
NYA Host Families will receive a modest stipend of $500 per week for hosting the two participants to help offset some of the costs of room and board.
Additionally, there is $100 per participant available for sports and recreation, as well as $100 per participant for work placement expenses such as bus passes, clothing, and equipment.
Participants are each given a $50 weekly allowance from NYA. An allowance is for the discretionary use of each Participant to allow them to buy souvenirs, treats, movie tickets, etc., and is not to cover living or work expenses.
Should extraordinary expenses be encountered for living or work-related costs, the Host Family may request additional support from NYA.
What training do the Participants get?
Before traveling to stay with their Host Families, all participants fly to Ottawa and gather as a group in an outdoor camp setting for five days of Orientation. This is a fun and busy time for staff and Participants. Participants arrive excited and nervous about the experience ahead. Throughout the five days, the Participants build friendships, develop new skills, and learn about strategies for coping with the challenges they may face while living away from home for the first time.
Facilitators guide participants through sessions on goal-setting, culture and adaptation, job preparation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution, basic first aid, swim-to-survive training, communication and leadership, and health and safety. Participants also have the opportunity to do some fun activities in Ottawa.
Similarly, at the end of the five-week placement with their Host Families, all participants gather back together again for a week of post-secondary school campus tours and Re-Orientation. Participants have the chance to debrief their summer experiences, reflect upon their personal growth, share stories, and plan for their futures. Facilitated sessions assist them in exploring how they can continue to develop their skills by getting involved in their home communities. Participants then fly home and continue their program involvement until the end of October with the completion of their fall assignments.
“I loved learning about my participants’ cultures and sharing experiences with them.”
– Host family in Sussex, NB
“It is getting to know the diverse people and places of Canada that I love most. Learning and awareness is also good.”
– Host family in Milton, ON
What impacts do Participants gain?
Earn nine high school credits for completing the Canadian Program and being on the path to graduating high school.
Significantly higher than average high school graduation rates among NYA Alumni.
Increased interest in attending post-secondary education.
Improved self-confidence and independence.
Increased leadership and team skills.
150+ hours of volunteer experience per Participant and increased job skills and career awareness.
Individual support of youth by Mentor, Staff, Workplace Supervisor, and Program Counsellor.
Increased awareness of one’s strengths and goals.
Development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, resilience, and good decision-making.
Encouragement of healthy lifestyle choices.
Exchange among youth from different Northern communities.
Strengthened cultural identity.
Sharing of cultures between Northern and Southern Canada.
Increased community engagement.
Questions about hosting? You can reach out to Kira at kira@nya.ca
