The Optimist International Juvenile Curling Competition started as a partnership between Alberta Optimists clubs and the Alberta Curling Association to form a curling competition for under-18 youth curlers.
The first competition was held in Calgary in 2001, and it has grown into an international competition that features boys and girls teams from Canada, the United States and Japan.
Juvenile Curling was sanctioned in 2009
The 2009 competition hosted in Regina, Saskatchewan featured the attendance of Optimist International President Mark Shriver. The Optimist International Youth Programs Committee officially sanctioned Juvenile Curling as an Optimist International Program in late 2009.
Mission Statement The Optimist Juvenile Curling Program’s mission is to build positive values in young people through participation in Optimist State/Provincial, and international U-18 curling competitions.
Vision The Optimist International Juvenile Curling Championship will become recognized as one of the premier international curling events in the world; on a par with the World Junior Curling Championship.
Objectives
To promote the sport of curling among young curlers.
To provide an opportunity for juvenile curlers to participate in Regional, State/Provincial, and International Tournaments.
To share the philosophies of Optimism with the youth curling community.