As a kid in the 70s or early 80s, I can recall catching one day on TV (most likely on a Saturday morning) a TV episode on which kids captained a spaceship. It was similar in many ways to the way Star Trek was set up (but it wasn't Trek I do know that much for certain) and in terms of production quality reminded me quite a bit of THE STARLOST which I did sometimes catch TV movies off around the same time and era. I do wonder if it might not have been in fact from that series?? Pretty sure it aired after the kiddie cartoon shows like The Barbara-Papas, the Smurfs, etc..
Jase, was this perhaps EARTH STAR VOYAGER with Duncan Regerrher?
Actually I don't think it was. Almost certain the program to which I'm referring aired several years (I thinking at least 4-5) before 1988.
I'm now thinking it could very well have been the Starlost as I found this description of an episode online (still not certain though..perhaps if I saw clips I'd know for certain):
"Children of Methuselah"
"Thinking they've found the backup bridge of the Ark, they discover a module occupied by children who believe they've been piloting the Ark since it left Earth."
After doing a bit of research, I now know it was indeed "Children of Metuselah" episode of THE STARLOST which must have been airing in reruns on Canadian TV by that point in time. Also a bit of research turned up the proper name of the Barbapapa show featuring the following below:
(http://www.barbapapa.fr/image/presentation/papa_mama.gif)
Thanks Trevor though for attempting to help me out here.