Our Story
Power To Be began in 1998 with an idea: to help people living with a disability or barrier access nature. The idea grew into a community, connecting participants to adventures and supporters to opportunities, collectively redefining our definition of ability.
In The Beginning
What began as a mobile operation working out of a rented classroom, a campsite, and a shed, evolved into a 78-acre campus on Prospect Lake: a multi-building site with an office hub, an indoor playspace, nature playground, yurt, greenhouse, and more. In the beginning, Power To Be boat gear was stored out in Sooke at Camp Barnard, and camping gear was stored in Saanichton at the Individual Learning Centre campus. It took a lot of drive time to get equipment packed and organized, and start the program!
Today
With this new space, Power To Be joins participants on programs such as hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and camping, using outdoor gear and clothing from the fully stocked gear hub that has everything they may need to take them on an adventure.
Our Prospect Lake site has been made possible by the Annual Foundation in recognition of Ted and Loretta Rogers, and the following supporters:
About Us
Our Mission
We build community by removing barriers and inviting people to explore what’s possible in nature.
Our Vision
Everyone belongs in nature. Nature belongs in everyone.
Our Why
We believe nature can transform lives.
Our Values
Community: We share experiences with others, build long-term connections and support collective learning.
Diversity & Inclusion: We strive to provide a sense of belonging for everyone, with equal access to opportunities and resources.
Nature: We respect the natural world and the positive role it plays in people’s growth, healing and wellbeing.
Imagination: We believe the pursuit of adventure, learning, and play will inspire people to discover limitless opportunities.
Service: We believe our work fosters authentic relationships rooted in trust, respect, and purpose.
Gratitude: We believe gratitude is at the heart of our ability to achieve our mission and to elevate the impact on our community.
27 Years of Impact
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1998
Power To Be is founded by Tim Cormode and Andrew Woodford and serves its first participant
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1999
First overnight programs offered
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2001
First oncology expedition in partnership with BC Children’s Hospital
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2002
Power To Be expands to Vancouver
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2005
Acquired Brain Injury Program launched in partnership with Victoria Brain Injury Society
Staff team grows to 10
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2006
Wilderness School starts
Volunteer support exceeds 900 hours
Inaugural Power To Golf raises $15,000
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2008
Ferns program for youth with autism starts
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2010
Volunteer support exceeds 6,000 hours
Power To Climb supporters summit Mt. Kilimanjaro raises $172,000
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2012
Vancouver programs expand to year-round adventures
First family surf program in Tofino
Inaugural Power To Play Vancouver
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2014
New 14-person canoe is blessed by Pauquachin Elder
National Nature Inspiration Award finalist
TrailRider used to summit Mt. Finlayson
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2016
Students On Ice offers trip to Power To Be participants
Participants complete 47km hike at Cape Scott Regional Park
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2018
Power To Be celebrates 20 years of making a difference
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2019
Accessible yurt built
Expanded network of trails to over 5km
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2021
Began construction on our “Gateway To Nature” future home at Prospect Lake
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2022
Dana Hutchings and Jason Cole transitioned to Co-CEOs
Grand opening of new inclusive home at Prospect Lake
EcoStar award for Innovation in building design recipient
Our Founder
Tim has been involved in working with youth and the non-profit sector for over 30 years. An outdoor enthusiast and a previous camp counsellor supporting young adults with disabilities, Tim saw an opportunity to combine nature with adventure to help people of varying abilities build confidence, make connections, and achieve their dreams.
In 1998, Tim founded Power To Be with that idea and a small government grant. The organization has now grown to reach more than 11,000 children, youth, and families, empowering them to learn new skills and reach their full potential through a variety of adapted outdoor activities.
In 2022, Tim departed Power To Be to lead his new foundation Power To Give, a boutique venture philanthropy foundation that provides social purpose organizations with capital and strategic support. We are endlessly grateful for his decades at Power To Be and his dedication, support, and hard work amplifying the inclusion and accessibility movement, creating new opportunities in nature for all!
A New Home
We are ever grateful to Cedric Steele and the Steele family for their heartfelt generosity, leasing their beautiful and expansive land to us for just one dollar a year for 30 years!
With 80 acres of wilderness in which to learn and play, we saw an opportunity to grow our impact and spread our passion. We wanted a place for our organization to put down roots and become an anchor within the community. With this new site, we have been able to give back by creating a space where our community can come together to learn, innovate and inspire others to explore the outdoors.
After collaborating with some of our amazing partners, we created plans for this new facility. With inspiration from the old clubhouse, we envisioned a brand-new building for our staff, volunteers and participants to enjoy. We are committed to providing a welcoming and accepting space, where everyone can come as they are and explore what nature can do for them. This new home is a place that fosters friendship and respect; and perhaps most importantly, it’s a place where people are safe to try new things and be themselves.
We couldn’t do the work we do without the thousands of staff, volunteers, and partners who have worked diligently to create and run programs for over two decades. Thank you to every single human who has hiked, kayaked, and snowshoed through Power To Be’s history, whether on a short or long trail, you’ve made a lasting difference!
Watch Our Documentary
The Future is Inclusive and Accessible
From staff engaging in regular workshops on gender diversity, anti-racism, and respectful workplaces, to adaptive equipment and universal washrooms, to supporting other organizations through inclusion workshops and collaboration, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles are embedded in all that we do.
Our commitment to allyship and intersectionality ensures our impact extends beyond our organization - strengthening the social sector and inspiring systemic change.
We acknowledge that inclusion is an ongoing process that demands continual reflection and action, and requires dedication to listening, learning, and growing. We look forward to continuing this path towards meaningful change together.
We are committed to creating a welcoming environment where everyone - regardless of race, gender, age, ability, religion, identity, or background - feels seen, heard, and valued.
This commitment is foundational to our mission of building a barrier-free community rooted in nature. These values guide our internal culture, physical spaces, hiring practices, program design, and community partnerships. Every year, we revisit this commitment and look for opportunities to strengthen the ways in which we enact these values.
Awards & Recognitions
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Top 20 Under 40 – Jason Cole, Director of Programs (2015)
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Nature Inspiration Award Finalist (2014)
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Non-Profit Organization of the Year, Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce (2011)