We created the World's Largest QR Code!

On Saturday June 16, over 275 people came together to create the World's Largest QR Code ever - at an astounding 22,000 square feet!
With the media? Download a media kit here!

Check out more videos and photos!
You'll get a sense of just how much fun we had setting a world record.

What’s the deal with the QR Code anyway?
What does a giant QR Code have to do with Youth Unlimited and impacting young people in our city? Click here to find out.

There are four simple reasons:

(1) We're innovative:

QR (Quick Response) Codes are an innovative technology that bridges the gap between real life objects (ads, products, campaign signs, coupons, newspapers) and cyberspace—allowing instant access to more information. Just scan the code via your smartphone!
YU constantly innovates in order to most effectively meet the changing needs of young people in each of our unique neighbourhoods and communities. There is no ‘box’ to what we do—we’ll do whatever it takes to help young people reach their full life potential and see them change their communities.

(2) We want to make a big impact:

We are creating the World’s Largest QR Code. It’s, well, big! Really big! And we’ll have a great sense of accomplishment when we make it all happen.
Our vision at YU is to see the young people we serve create communities of hope everywhere in North York. It’s a big vision! As we see young people gain a sense of accomplishment, their self- confidence and sense of purpose create astounding change.

(3) We’re about community building:

The World’s Largest QR Code event is really about community building. Bringing over 1300 people together to form a community doing something that will make history!
Our heart at YU is to engage in community and build communities that nurture young people personally and spiritually.

(4) We like to have fun!

More than 1300 people on one football field with one goal? We think it’ll be an absolute blast! Just like all of our programs across North York—providing fun and safe spaces for young people to be themselves.

It’s in the details...
All of the basic important details can be found here! Read more...

(1) Registration:

You can help build the World's Largest QR Code in support of Youth Unlimited North York with a minimum donation of $25. Simply click on "help build the code" at the top of this page to register today. When you register, you'll get your own personal fundraising page - we encourage you to try to raise an additional $100 for your square! Don't do this event alone - bring your friends and family with you!

(2) Date:

The making of the World’s Largest QR Code will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2012 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

(3) Location:

The event will take place at the City of Toronto’s 1,500-seat Esther Shiner Stadium in North York, Ontario. The address of the stadium is:

5720 Bathurst Street
Toronto, ON
M2R 3W2M
(nearest intersection Bathurst Street & Finch Avenue)

(4) Getting There:

View Esther Shiner Stadium in a larger map

Public Transportation:

Esther Shiner Stadium is located 150m north of Finch Avenue on Bathurst Street.
From Finch Station:
1. Take the 36A Finch West bus towards Kipling;
2. Depart the bus at Bathurst Street and walk north on the west side of
3. Bathurst Street; and
4. Esther Shiner Stadium will be on your left in 145m.
From Downsview Station:
1. Take the 84 Sheppard West bus towards Sheppard-Yonge Station;
2. Depart the bus on the far side of Bathurst Street;
3. Transfer on to 160 Bathurst North bus towards Centre Street.
4. Depart the bus at Bathurst Street and walk north on the west side of
5. Bathurst Street; and
6. Esther Shiner Stadium will be on your left in 145m.

(5) Parking:

Click here for a map of available parking lots.
Parking is also available along the streets east of Bathurst Street and north of Finch Avenue.
We recommend taking the TTC!

About Youth Unlimited North York

There are over 120,000 young people between the ages of 10 and 25 in North York. Almost 1 in 3 of these young people live in one of the four Toronto “Priority Neighbourhoods” in North York. The World’s Largest QR Code will help build the future of our city by investing in these young people. All proceeds from the event will support the programs of Youth Unlimited North York.

YU North York is a division of Youth Unlimited (Toronto YFC), a faith-based agency that has served community youth for over 65 years, especially those who are vulnerable to poverty (both material and spiritual), homeless-ness, unemployment, violence, and gang-involvement.

YU North York exists to see youth and their communities across North York transformed to become people and places of wholeness through innovative grassroots outreach. Our team of 12 workers (and numerous faithful volunteers) engages over 200 young people on a regular basis in 11 different programs. We journey with young people to help them reach their full life potential—personally, spiritually and professionally.

We engage youth through basketball outreach, BMX biking, youth entrepreneurship training, a girls’ arts program, a summer day camp and in countless other ways.

To learn more about YU North York, please visit www.yunorthyork.com.

Our Partnering Sponsors

We could not succeed in creating the World’s Largest QR Code, and in turn, impacting North York’s young people without the support of our event sponsors. Our Community Builder sponsors are:

Help Build the Code

It takes a village to raise a child, they say. It also takes a village to create a massive QR Code for the sake of children and youth! There are several ways you can help make creating the World’s Largest QR Code a reality.

Here’s how you can help build the World’s Largest QR Code:

(1) OWN & HOLD YOUR OWN SQUARE!

You’ll be in the thick of things on June 16, having a blast as you hold your square as part of the World’s Largest QR Code. You’ll also get friends, family and co-workers to sponsor you in this record-setting feat—raising money to help young people in North York reach their full life potential through the initiatives of YU North York.

Registration begins with a donation for as little as $25. While holding a square may seem easy, our challenge to you is to raise $100 (at least!) in sponsorship for your square through your online fundraising page (set up automatically when you register)!

Click here to register to participate today, gather sponsors and start spreading the word about your record-breaking involvement.

(2) Sponsor A Square

If you can’t make it on June 16 but still want to make a difference, here’s your chance. You can still be part of the action. Sponsor one of the squares of the QR Code—all donated funds will go towards the programs of YU North York.

Here are some examples of what your support will do:

$25: Your gift of $25 allows one of our outreach workers to spend an hour of one-on-one mentoring with a young person—working through the highs and lows of life’s journey.
$65: A $65 investment provides all of the necessary equipment and support for a young women from Jane-Finch to discover her creative voice by participating in a photography project as part of YU North York’s Sketch&Believe Girls’ Arts Program.
$100: Your investment of $100 will give a young person access to a complete set of tools, bike stand and all the other equipment necessary to build their BMX bike at YU North York’s Revolution(s) Earn-A-Bike Program.
$250: By donating $250, a young entrepreneur in North York will have access to a group training session, with a laptop and business plan development resources—helping them turn their business idea into a reality through YU North York’s Blueprints program.
Monthly: A monthly donation ensures that young people in North York will always have access to a loving, caring adult who is eager to see them reach their full life potential.

Click here to sponsor a square today. And don't forget to spread the word too!

(3) Volunteer Before Or At The Event

Building the World’s Largest QR Code isn’t a walk in the park—we could use your volunteer efforts in a multitude of different ways. If you are interested in volunteering, email us at scan@theqrcode.ca or phone Scott at 416.383.1229 ext. 328.