Introducing Go Wild Summer Adventures

Wildsight offers two summer backpacking adventures for youth—sign up today

Columbia Basin — Columbia Basin youth have a new opportunity to find adventure, camaraderie and confidence this summer. They can take part in Wildsight’s new Go Wild Summer Adventure program. Registration is open and youths aged 14 to 19 can sign up.

“A Go Wild Summer Adventure is a week-long, guided backpacking expedition into the Purcell Mountains,” said Liz Hardwick, program coordinator and adventure guide. “It gives young people the chance to connect with wild places during a life-changing journey. And it inspires the next generation of environmental leaders.”

Two expeditions are planned: one for early July and one for late August. “An eight-day hike is scheduled for July 2 to 9 at a cost of $420,” Hardwick said. “A shorter, six-day hike is scheduled for August 23 to 28 at a cost of $350.”

Food is included in the price of the expedition, and all camping equipment is supplied by Wildsight. Participants supply their own outdoor-appropriate clothing. “No previous camping experience is required,” Hardwick said, “just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!”

Help is available to those who find the cost of the expedition prohibitive. Potential participants can contact the Wildsight office at (250) 427-9325 for information about subsidies.

Wildsight has offered award-winning environmental education programs in the Columbia Basin for eight years, and gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Columbia Basin Trust.

“We are proud to support the Go Wild Summer Adventure trips,” said Dana Welsh, Columbia Basin Trust Youth Liaison. “Not only will it allow youth to connect with the outdoors, but the skills they will be learning in how to work together on challenges or how to support one another during the week, those will enable them to grow and will help them learn how to become better stewards of not only the environment, but of each other and the people they may work with in the future.”

Hardwick, who has led expeditions in wilderness areas as far away as Baffin Island and Brazil, said, “A week in the backcountry is an intense experience and young people learn a lot about themselves. They gain confidence in their abilities, learn to function as part of a team, and get to know the mountains. They develop a sense of responsibility for the place they live in.”

For more info or to register, visit www.Wildsight.ca/SummerAdventure or call 1 (250) 427-9325.

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About Wildsight
Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada's Columbia and Southern Rocky Mountain region. This area is internationally recognized as a keystone to conservation in western North America. www.wildsight.ca.

Contact:
Liz Hardwick, Go Wild program manager
Wildsight • 1-250-427-9325
liz@wildsight.ca • www.wildsight.ca/SummerAdventure