BC Parks is now accepting applications for its new leadership program, Get Outside BC.
After a successful pilot in 2011, the government is touting the program as the first of its kind in Canada. Forty youth, between the ages of 14 and 18, from across the province will be selected to participate in the program which develops outdoor skills and builds confidence and leadership skills.
Get Outside begins with a youth leadership summit in the North Vancouver Outdoor School in Squamish from July 3 to 7, where the young people will participate in a variety of skill development workshops touching on outdoor safety, trip planning, bear awareness training and more. Following that, they are expected to plan and lead their own event with at least 10 other youth from their community in celebration of Youth Day on Aug. 12.
The program will provide up to $200 to support each event.
"BC Parks needs to engage youth and inspire a new generation with passion and caring for parks," Environment Minister Terry Lake said in a statement. "In collaboration with our amazing partners, the first project was delivered with great success in 2011 and we hope to repeat that success again this year."
Some of last year's youth-led events included a day in the park with a local daycare at James Chabot Provincial park near Windermere, a beach cleanup at Boundary Bay Regional Park near Tsawwassen and a scout trip into Golden Ears Provincial Park near Maple Ridge.
Youth can apply for the program online until May 7 at www.getoutsidebc.ca.
