[A working partnership with rural youth]

This article describes a health promotion project for teens in a rural francophone community in Northern Ontario. A planning committee of two community health nurses and eight teenagers developed, implemented and evaluated the project. Based on teen interest generated in the community, the committee planned a youth snowmobile day to help identify and define the teenagers' particular health needs. The aim was to facilitate youth participation at every step of the project, from needs assessment to follow-up, and encourage them to explore, with their peers, ways to improve their health. A qualitative research approach was used to study and document the event. A total of 48 girls and boys in the 13-19 age group took part. Stopovers were held at various inns for group discussions on predetermined topics. Study results indicate that when power is shared with teenagers, important lessons are learned by both parties. In such a partnership, nurses need to use more than the educational approach to interventions. Their role as community development facilitators is highlighted, as well as their need to develop novel and unique approaches for dealing with teenagers.