Langley for teens: where to go, what to join, who to call

This one’s for you, not your parents. Here’s where to go after school, what it costs and who to call if things get heavy. (Parents: our youth programs guide has cadets, Scouts, Guides and the rest.)

Somewhere to hang out after school

Timms Community Centre, 20399 Douglas Crescent in Langley City, runs youth drop-ins for ages 11 to 17. A Games & Track Pass is $25 for the year, and the City’s youth page says it covers the youth drop-ins. A single youth visit is $3. There’s usually something on: board games, Artcade, a Girls Social, basketball and badminton after school, and Saturday Youth Night, 6 to 9:30 p.m., with games, snacks, sports and art. The schedule changes every month, so check the City’s current youth calendar or call 604-514-2940. Timms also has a Free Little Art Gallery where you can put up your own art, swap it or take something home, free.

The City of Langley Library is in the same building, with a teen space, study zones, Wi-Fi and computers. It’s open Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9 to 5, Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday 1 to 5. A library card is free; bring one piece of ID, like a student card.

The BGC Langley Club at Douglas Park also runs after-school programs; see our BGC Langley page.

Pools, gyms and the rink

The Township’s rec centres charge $4.70 a visit for ages 13 to 18, tax in. Drop-in sports open for booking 23 hours ahead (book online if you can). Public swims don’t need booking.

• Walnut Grove Community Centre, 8889 Walnut Grove Drive: 50-metre pool and a gym.
• W.C. Blair Recreation Centre, 22200 Fraser Highway in Murrayville: the pool has a climbing wall.
• Aldergrove Community Centre, 27032 Fraser Highway: pools, an ice arena and a fitness centre.

Want to use a weight room? At Township centres, if you’re 13 to 15 you need an orientation first. It’s included in your admission. You can set up your own online Township recreation account at 16.

Not sure which pool? Our pool head-to-head compares the three.

Skate, ride, shoot hoops

The Langley Skateboard Park at 63 Avenue and 203 Street is open dawn to dusk unless it’s booked for an event. Our skate and bike parks guide covers the others, and our basketball guide lists the courts.

Make something, join something

• Teen Connect at the Aldergrove Library is for grades 7 to 12, with drop-in activities and supplies provided. FVRL programs are free. Check the FVRL events calendar for what’s coming up.
• Timms’ Artcade and Free Little Art Gallery, above.
• The Youth Hub’s advisory committee is for ages 12 to 24. It meets once a month at the Youth Resource Centre on 203 Street, with dinner and snacks, and it counts as volunteer hours.

Give back (and get hours)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Langley takes volunteers from age 15 and runs Future Leaders workshops for its volunteers aged 15 to 29. Our volunteer guide has more groups that take teens.

Help paying for sports and programs

• KidSport Langley gives grants of up to $400 per child a year for sport registration, for kids and teens 18 and under who qualify.
• City of Langley residents with low incomes can apply to the Leisure Access Program for cheaper recreation.
• Township residents can apply for financial help with passes and programs.

When things get heavy

You don’t have to have it figured out to ask for help.

Foundry Langley, at 20616 Eastleigh Crescent, is for ages 12 to 24 (and their families). It’s free and confidential. Drop in Monday to Wednesday, 2 to 7 p.m. (the last counselling session starts at 6), or call 604-546-2700 to book another time. They help with counselling, peer support, physical and sexual health, substance use and more. There’s a free youth dinner on Mondays, 5 to 7 p.m., and visitor parking on site.

Foundry Virtual BC offers free counselling online or by phone for ages 12 to 24 and caregivers, weekdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Langley Youth Hub, 6275 203 Street (604-546-1130), has food, showers, laundry and toiletries, bus passes at reception, and housing help for ages 12 to 24. More on our Youth Hub and Foundry page.

If you’re thinking about suicide, call or text 988 any time. If you or someone else is in danger right now, call 911.

Something out of date, or something we missed? Tell us.