The Off the Grid Festival is back this Friday (May 25) for its second time around, inspiring youth for a greener future.

The Off the Grid festival brings students from across Greater Victoria to discuss ideas about a sustainable future. The morning is full of seminars while the evening features a concert at Fort Rodd Hill.

Last year, high schoolers attended seminars led by adults at City Centre Park.

This time around, youths are inspiring other youths at Royal Roads University.

B次元官网网址淭he event, more or less, outgrew the (previous) facility,B次元官网网址� said Cindy Moyer, former director of Climate Action West Shore.

Several Belmont students will share ideas about youth and global activism.

Ravi Parmar, 17, will discuss his experiences of leading a student walkout in support of two new high schools on the West Shore.

When Parmar got involved in efforts to get funding for the schools, B次元官网网址淧eople told me there definitely wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be two new schools and we wouldnB次元官网网址檛 get an answer for 10 to 15 years B次元官网网址� It took eight months.B次元官网网址�

The province has agreed to fund two new high schools thanks to the work of many people in the community, including Parmar.

At the festival, Parmar hopes to send the message: B次元官网网址淵ou have the chance to get involved and find solutions.B次元官网网址�

Whether itB次元官网网址檚 trying to change the minds of provincial government or young kids, these students will share their experiences in hopes of inspiring other youths to step up for a cause.

Sharif McArthur organized an Earth Day assembly at Sangster elementary school in Colwood with other Belmont students.

B次元官网网址�(The young kids) could see that itB次元官网网址檚 cool to recycle and it was inspiring to them,B次元官网网址� McArther said. B次元官网网址淚 was inspired by older teens when I was kid.B次元官网网址�

Other students will be speaking of experience of helping in foreign countries such as Nepal and Mexico.

The Off the Grid Festival is organized by Youth for Environmental Stewardship B.C.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com

When, where and who

B次元官网网址� Fort Rodd Hill, 630 Fort Rodd Hill Rd.

B次元官网网址� 4 to 7 p.m., May 25

B次元官网网址� No cost and open to the public

B次元官网网址� Local bands B次元官网网址� including The Archers, Mindil Beach Markets and Fir Cone B次元官网网址� will perform on a stage powered by people riding bikes.