Youth from Broadway Youth Resource Centre getting to grips with the trails
In May and June, we hosted nine Adventure Sessions for young people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. That’s four days of downhill biking lessons in Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and five days of high-flying adventures with Superfly Ziplines. More than 70 young people from Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, and the Sea to Sky Corridor got a free outdoor adventure in Whistler this spring.
How the Adventure Sessions offer life-changing experiences
Many of these young people have never had the chance to play in the mountains before — despite growing up so close to such a world-renowned resort. Poverty, time spent in government care, family conflict, and mental health issues are just some of the reasons why young people are excluded from feeling the power of the mountains for themselves.
UNYA were all about overcoming their fears and taking the leap of faith at Superfly Ziplines
But the Adventure Sessions seek to change that. We believe that no-one should be denied the chance to breathe in the fresh mountain air, feel the rush of adrenaline, and throw themselves at a new, exciting experience. So we’re excited that we’ve given free outdoor adventures to nearly 250 young people already this year. And we aren’t done yet. The program will continue in September and October, with more mountain biking, ziplining, and treetop adventuring on offer for up to 130 more people.
Thanks to our partners and youth agencies
Thanks to all of the groups who joined us this spring: Urban Native Youth Association, Vancouver Coastal Health, Odyssey II, N’Quatqua Nation, Covenant House Vancouver, Sunshine Coast Alternative School, and Broadway Youth Resource Centre. We loved watching you overcome your fears, embrace new challenges, and kick ass in the mountains! We hope you had as much fun as we did – we can’t wait to see you again soon.
Learning the ropes from the masters — the hardcore Whistler Bike Park instructors
A huge thanks also to our long-term, incredible partners — Whistler Blackcomb and The Adventure Group. Your friendly, fun-loving staff make the Adventure Sessions an unforgettable experience for so many young people every year. We simply couldn’t create these life-changing moments without you. And this year the Adventure Sessions were also made possible through a Ted Rogers Community Grant for innovative youth programming, which we were honoured to receive earlier in 2019.
Want to be part of the fun? Get in touch!
If you know a group who could benefit from the Adventure Sessions, we’d love to hear from you. You can reach us at info@zeroceiling.org, 604.962.5000, or visit our website to find out more.