The Hershey Track and Field Youth Program is designed to encourage youth between the ages of 9 and 14 to be active and get involved in track and field. This program promotes physical fitness and participation for the youth of North America. Learning, participation, enjoyment and physical exercise are the main goals of this program.

The Hershey Youth Program has been taking place for over 30 years in the United States. Initially a playground track and field program, the Hershey Track and Field Youth Program is now offered throughtout North America (Canada began taking part in 1996), and has become the biggest youth sports program of its kind! Finalists (top 6) from the Provincial meet are eligible to attend the Atlantic Hershey Championships. Atlantic meet winners do not automatically advance to the North American Final but are included in a selection pool with other athletes from the geographic region. Athletes must compete at the Provincial Hershey Final in order to qualify for the Atlantic Final. Nova Scotia is in Region 6, which also includes New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. There are 8 regions in all. A minimum of 5, and a maximum of 25 finalists are selected from each state/province to be a part of their respective region's team that will attend the North American Final in Hershey Pennsylvania with all expenses paid by Hershey Foods Corporation.

Age categories are divided into 3 groups: 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14.

The following track events are offered:

50 meter dash

100 meter dash

200 meter dash

400 meter dash

4x100 meter relay

800 meter run

1600 meter run

The following field events are offered:

Softball throw

Standing long jump

Athletics Nova Scotia is an ambassador of the Hershey Track and Field Program. For more information, please contact Dan Bainard at athletics@sportnovascotia.ca