Over spring break, 18 young outdoor enthusiasts aged 14 to 18-years-old spent eight days out at Blue Lake Centre participating in Blue Lake’s Winter Outdoor Youth Leadership Program.

This unique leadership opportunity brought together a combination of Canadian and International Exchange students to work together as a team to develop leadership skills, outdoor skills and community volunteerism initiatives. During challenging day hikes, exciting leadership activities, and even an overnight winter camping trip the group honed their natural leadership and teamwork skills an inseparable team.

Leadership and youth community engagement have always been an essential component of Blue Lake’s community presence and involvement. All participants exited the Winter Outdoor Youth Leadership program with a plan to take a leadership role in their communities through a commitment of voluntary community action to improve the places they live. Some notable initiatives developed by campers included: The development of a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), a plan for a ride-share network in the Cranbrook-Kimberley region, the development of a performance arts club to entertain at hospitals, and a weekly coffee-house open-mic night for youth.

Winter Outdoor Youth Leadership Camp Coordinator Nick Haberman deemed the program a fantastic success. “The Blue Lake family had plenty of new additions by the end of the week,” said Haberman. “Many goodbye tears were shed, and I’m very excited to see the impact these kids will have on their communities in the very near future.”

Blue Lake, located west of Canal Flats, has begun registration for their Summer Outdoor Youth Leadership, Junior Outdoor Youth Leadership programs as well as their regular Summer Camp programs. Anyone interested is encouraged to apply quickly as space is limited and expected to fill quickly.

Blue Lake Centre gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Columbia Basin Trust, which supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin.

Blue Lake Centre is an outdoor education centre located in the Purcell Mountains just 45 minutes south of Fairmont Hot Springs and 90 minutes north of Cranbrook. For over 35 years, its wilderness location and outstanding education staff have made Blue Lake Centre a top destination for outdoor education programming.

Early registration is recommended as space is limited.

Pictured front to back, left to right: Kamika Urishibara, Mandy Brandt, Andres De al Para, Kyle Lario, Nick Haberman, Fynley Kuijt, Chiara Kraeuchi, Enrique Muno Rivera Rio, Yuto Tanaka, Jacob Atherton, Anne Katherine Klinge, David Sass, Matteus Braga De Morales, Max Huebler, Yumi Kora, Curtis Cameron, Isabella Gruenbeck, Jasmine Wallace, Destiny Geddes, Shalene Magowan.

Submitted

Article Share