Youth Groups, School Programs, First Nations, Leadership and the BC Curriculum

How Can Canoeing Help Youth?

A youth canoe program offers the potential to develop many qualities:

• Teamwork in the canoe and in a group
• Leadership (self and group)
• Courage
• Physical dexterity and stamina
• Preparation
• Appreciation for the environment
• Calmness
• Reaction and Anticipation

Is Your Program Suitable for a Canoe Activities?

Outdoor programs in BC schools are doing very well, with dedicated and professional teachers doubling as outdoor leaders. Greenwave have extensive experience working with these school groups, and over many years of development, youth leadership has been integrated into school trips and certification. As well, there is huge potential for integration of the new BC school curriculum. A wide variety of topics can be taught during a canoeing activity. See more about this below.

Programs such as Scouts, Guides and Cadets are very well suited for canoe activities or trips. The discipline, teamwork, physical strength and positive attitude are challenged in a safe but exciting environment while canoeing. Youth that are ready, can take on leadership roles in a variety of situations, from dealing with gear to actual paddling leadership on a trip.

First Nations youth want to get back in touch with the land and water. We recognize the tragic history that First Nations people endured, and that the pain is still alive today for many. Canoeing, camping, leadership and physical activity are a valuable part of re-connecting with the land and water. Greenwave has been privledged to work with First Nations communities and is very interested in incorporating Indigenous traditions and ways of learning into canoe programming.

Youth at Risk have benefited greatly from outdoor adventure. In the past, the government sponsored youth at risk outdoor programs, but funding is much harder to find these days. This is sad, because if you've seen the change in behaviour in youth from the start to the end of a canoe trip, you'd quickly realize how vital it is to get these youth outside and active.

A Typical Canoe Program for Youth

A summary of a typical canoe program for youth follows this progression:

• Classroom training of some canoe theory and how to prepare (recommended)
• One day on the water learning basic skills and rescues (RCABC Lakewater Basic Tandem)
• A two to three day trip which includes wilderness camping and cooking (RCABC Tripping Paddler Level)
• Gear clean up and post trip activities
• Youth may advance to river canoeing and advanced canoe skills and certificates if time and budget allow

Trips and training can be customized to to include curriculum, cultural and additional leadership learning. Note that the times given are minimum and addition of significant additional content will require adjustments to the schedule.

RCBAC Education Committee and the BC Curriculum

The RCABC Education Committee is an exciting new network of teachers and is developing a resource library for canoeing activities and classroom learning. School outdoor educators are encouraged to join or use this resource found on the RCABC Website.

The new BC Curriculum allows for opportunities in experiential learning and development. There are many curriculum topics that can be taught during canoe activities, including:

• Physical Education
• Environmental Education
• First Nations Culture
• Geology and Geophysics
• Leadership
• Cooking

The list doesn't end there. On an overnight canoe trip, you are living in the wilderness, and many aspects of life are brought into sharp focus. If you are a teacher and have an interest in connecting curriculum and the outdoors, consider canoeing as the best way to do it. The RCABC Education Committee is already helping connect teachers to share resources and ideas.