Na Gaisgich Òga
Na Gaisgich Òga | The Young Heroes is a Gaelic mentorship program for youth, run by Colaisde na Gàidhlig | The Gaelic College. Applicants should be between 10 and 16 years old, show a keen interest in Gaelic language and culture, and be a resident of Nova Scotia. Prior knowledge of Gaelic is an asset but not a requirement. The program gives students the opportunity to improve their language skills, participate in Gaelic culture (song, storytelling, music, dance, food traditions, and more), meet local native Gaelic speakers, and develop a deeper connection with the Gaelic community in Nova Scotia. Graduates of Na Gaisgich Òga are eligible for a Grade 10 Leadership Credit.
Weekend Sessions:
Between September and March, students participate in 8 weekends at the Gaelic College where they are engaged in a combination of immersion and cultural learning from some of the most experienced Gaelic instructors in the province. Students arrive Friday evening at 7pm and stay onsite until Sunday afternoon at 3pm. Chaperones for weekend sessions are coordinated by the program director and consist of parents who are willing to volunteer (criminal records and vulnerable sectors checks are required).
Mentor Sessions:
Students will also be paired with a language mentor, a Gaelic speaker from their community who they will meet with regularly throughout the program. 3 guided mentor sessions have been worked into the weekend sessions at the beginning, middle, and end of the program. Mentors are selected by the program director based on both language/teaching skills and proximity to the student. At the end of the first weekend session at the Gaelic College, parents and mentors will have the opportunity to meet in person and discuss a plan. See schedule for more details.
For more information please email Colin MacDonald: colin@gaeliccollege.edu
Deadline for applications: July 31, 2025
Criteria - Open to Nova Scotians ages 10 – 16
- Applicants must demonstrate a keen interest and commitment to the Gaelic language and culture in Nova Scotia
- Must show the intention to use Gaelic every day and to pass it on to others such as family, friends, and community.
- Should have ample support and encouragement from family in regards to speaking Gaelic and cultural learning
- Parents/Guardians must be willing to assist with transportation to group sessions at The Gaelic College and mentor sessions.
- Participants will complete a total of 190 hours of learning:
- 100 hours of Gaelic immersion
- 60 hours of cultural learning (history/folklore)
- 30 hours of mentorship (~5 hrs/month)
- Motivate students to learn, enjoy, share, and champion Gaelic Nova Scotia
- Provide young learners with an opportunity to be immersed in Gaelic language and culture
- Bring students closer to functional fluency in the language
- Cultivate a sense of identity as young Gaels living in Nova Scotia
- Enlighten youth to become aware and to respect intergenerational learning opportunities in regards to Gaelic cultural acquisition
- Develop an awareness in youth of the unique opportunity they have to contribute to the growth of the language
- Tuition: $750
Weekend Sessions at Colaisde na Gàidhlig | The Gaelic College:
- September 19th – 21st, 2025
- October 24th – 26th, 2025
- November 21st – 23rd, 2025
- December 5th – 7th, 2025
- January 9th – 11th, 2026
- Jan. 30th – Feb. 1st, 2026
- February 20th – 22nd, 2026
- March 27th – 29th, 2026
- Sept. 21 – Group mentorship at Colaisde na Gàidhlig | The Gaelic College (5 hours)
- October – In-community mentorship (4 hours)
- November – In-community mentorship (4 hours)
- December – In-community mentorship (3 hours)
- Jan. 11 – Group mentorship at Colaisde na Gàidhlig | The Gaelic College (5 hours)
- February – In-community mentorship (4 hours)
- Mar. 29 – Group mentorship at Colaisde na Gàidhlig | The Gaelic College (5 hours)
For more information, contact Gaelic Director Colin MacDonald at colin@gaeliccollege.edu.