Take A Hike Program

The Take a Hike Program is a partnership between the Take a Hike Foundation and the Sooke School District.

District Coordinator of Take a Hike – Darrell Wright – darwright@sd62.bc.ca

Take a Hike Clinician – Sada Keel – skeel@takeahikefoundation.org

Welcome to Take a Hike

Take a Hike is a full-time mental health and well-being program empowering vulnerable youth to unlock their full potential and achieve success – however they define it. Partnering with public school districts, Take a Hike uses the outdoors and adventure to engage youth in experiential learning, intentional clinical counselling, and community. Since 2000, Take a Hike has supported hundreds of vulnerable youth to develop the skills and resilience they need to build healthy relationships, graduate high school, and navigate the challenges young adulthood.

Take a Hike Objectives

• Increase youth attendance and engagement in school and community.
• Engage youth in regular mental health supports and encourage their involvement in their own mental and physical health and well-being.
• Improve academic success, leading to high school graduation.
• Empower youth with the social and emotional skills and resilience they need to build heathy relationships.

Our ultimate goal is to empower youth with the skills and resilient they need to graduate high school, build healthy relationships, and navigate the challenges of young adulthood after they leave the program.

THE 4 PROGRAM PILLARS

Youth engage in:

Adventure

Youth are engaged in experiential and land-based learning one day each week, and during three multi-day wilderness trips.

Community

Connects youth to their community and offers them a chance to give back.

Counselling

A full-time registered clinician provides youth with regular mental health support.

Academics

Youth have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and spend each day, including trips with their primary teacher

and class.

TAKE A HIKE VALUES

Well-Being

We prioritize mental and physical health for our youth and in our staff teams. We know that when we feel well we can pursue our goals, realize our potential, and thrive as individuals, in teams, and as a community. We follow comprehensive risk-management protocol to ensure personal and organizational safety.

Relationships

Connection and belonging are at the heart of our program and our community. Staff teams understand the importance of developing safe and caring relationships with youth and with each other before any other work takes place.

Exploration

We embrace challenge and adventure as a source of inspiration and engagement. We encourage our youth to explore their internal landscape as well as the physical and natural world around them, and we support them in navigating the challenges of life.

Growth

Our youth and staff consistently work towards personal development and growth.

Gratitude

We serve our community in a spirit of gratitude. We celebrate the program’s impact and

recognize the generosity of our community who support our youth and help us fulfill our mission. Every week our youth give back in gratitude for the support they have received by volunteering in their communities.

Five Core Elements

1. Relationships that are safe and caring
2. An environment that is safe and predictable
3. Individualized support that meets their unique and changing needs
4. Continuous, intentional shared time and learning with staff and classmates
5. Staff that convey the message that youth have the ability to succeed