Our Programs

Explore the Wilderness Youth Challenge Program (WYCP) and learn how we empower youth through a unique wilderness experience.

Our primary objective is relapse prevention.

WYCP helps youth between the ages of 12 to 16 develop better decision-making skills. Referred by professional support workers, parents and guardians participants engage in a no-fee, ten-day wilderness experience focused on developing better decision making skills to be able to avoid a relapse into a poor decision. Small groups of three to six youths, supported by ten to fifteen volunteers, hike into backcountry locations to establish a base camp. The first five days involve group workshops, followed by four days of solo camping to foster independence and self-reliance.

Ten days in a wilderness environment are used to impart basic life skills supported by positive environmental education and experience.

Daily Schedule and Workshops:

  • Focus on proactive actions to avoid personal injuries using LNT (Leave No Trace) principles.

  • Training on predator deterrents with an emphasis on habitat awareness and avoiding predators.

  • Site selection and maintenance while adhering to LNT principles.

  • Connecting previous workshops and preparing youth for their solo experience.

  • Youth are assigned solo camping sites and given daily challenges to complete while managing their personal and LNT requirements.

  • Youth return to base camp, share experiences, and reflect on their achievements.

Solo Camping Experience:

    • Each youth is assigned a solo camping site approximately one kilometre apart.

    • They are equipped with necessary supplies, including emergency whistles and flags for signalling help.

    • The solo experience is designed to build self-reliance and decision-making skills.

Teaching positive land use through education and awareness.

WYCP addresses environmental responsibility by teaching youth the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT) camping and predator awareness by habitat. The program provides an opportunity to influence young people to lead a healthy outdoor lifestyle based on respect for the environment. By combining relapse prevention with environmental education, WYCP ensures that participants develop a lifelong commitment to positive environmental practices.

A dedicated team of volunteers ensures the success of our programs.

Who?

    • Oversees the daily administration of WYCP.

    • Has a background in managing youth programs.

    • Expert backcountry skills.

    • Inspired by Edmonton Area Search and Rescue (ERSARA).

    • Ensures safety and well-being of all participants.

    • Prepares risk management plans for each youth attending

    • Develops independent risk management plans for each location used.

    • WYCP is a 100% volunteer-driven organization with no fixed payroll costs.

    • Requires 12 to 16 volunteers for each ten-day challenge.

    • Volunteers must hold Wilderness First Aid certifications, pass Criminal Record Checks, and have backcountry experience.

    • Roles include workshop delivery, camp support, and event coordination.

Ensuring the right support for at-risk youth.

Intake Process:

  • Youth are referred by parents/guardians, professional support persons such as social workers, educators, and probation officers.

  • Focused on WYCP's ability to provide risk management for each youth.

  • Example: Youth identified as a self-harm risk are accepted with additional risk management procedures in place.

Referral Partnerships:

  • Professional support workers and parents or guardians can refer youth to WYCP.

  • Working together through the Intake process provides accurate information for risk management and ensures the safety of participants.

Special Projects: Train the Trainer Program

Continuing engagement and development for WYCP graduates.

Youths managing one year relapse-free from poor decisions are invited to join our Train the Trainer program. By remaining relapse-free for one year and returning a volunteer effort to WYCP, we are able to gift them with a ten-day international excursion to Costa Rica and an opportunity to volunteer locally, all expenses paid!

    • Offers graduates the opportunity to return as volunteers.

    • Graduates act as liaisons for new youth entering the program.

    • Must have completed the ten-day wilderness challenge.

    • Must complete one year in the community exhibiting good decision making skills.

    • Demonstrate an ability to volunteer in a challenge camp.

    • Participants may qualify for a ten-day excursion to Costa Rica, contributing to the largest ECO training center in the country.

    • Reinforces the skills learned and provides ongoing support for relapse prevention.