In the realm of aviation, where the sky is the limit, Helijet has been soaring high not just in the skies but also in community service and environmental stewardship. Two aspects that truly set them apart are their meaningful partnership with Power To Be and their dedicated efforts towards environmental sustainability.

Throughout 2023 Power To Be marked its 25th year of empowering individuals through nature. With 15 years of dedicated service, Jason Cole led as Director of Programs and has since taken the helm as Co-CEO, becoming on of the leaders steering this incredible journey to the next 25 years.

After an incredible 12 weeks, it is bittersweet to see our Landscaping and Restoration Employment Program at Power To Be nearing graduation. This pilot project has empowered eight young adults who face various barriers to gain landscaping and restoration knowledge, job skills, and a sense of community.

Volunteers help us create a welcoming, safe, and supportive learning environment for participants to build positive relationships, learn about self-care, and push out their comfort zones through dynamic nature-based programming. Today, we’d like to express our deep appreciation for Nicole Gaul, a program volunteer who continues to make a tremendous difference in the lives of Wilderness School participants.

This past July saw Power To Be travelling up to Whistler with BC Children’s Hospital, where we had an absolute blast exploring lots of wild spaces. While our time in Whistler was punctuated by moments of exhilaration, wonder, and adventure, the teens collectively agreed that their favourite part was the time spent with each other. 

We are so excited to be celebrating Power To Be’s 25th year: what a journey it has been! Thank you to everyone who has participated in or created the numerous opportunities to bring our community together to enjoy the benefits and beauty of nature. As we transition into the autumn months, we are taking the opportunity to look towards the future, which looks brighter than ever.

In Adam's own words, "be a human being, not a human doing" has become his guiding philosophy. Nature has a unique way of reconnecting us to our natural roots, and Power To Be plays a significant role in helping people of all abilities realize this. Through outdoor experiences and the tight-knit community Adam has found, he is helping Power To Be prove that with a little support and a lot of adventure, everyone can thrive.

Last year, Power To Be was invited to join a Capital Regional District (CRD) engagement session to discuss their plan for creating modifications and adaptations in five of their regional parks. We are excited to be working with the parks sector to bridge the intentions and practice for inclusion and accessibility. Through partnerships we can collectively remove barriers and create lifelong connections to beautiful spaces and places.

Power To Be is thrilled to be partnering with Swim Drink Fish, a Canadian charity organization dedicated to monitoring, restoring, and protecting local waters. Our Prospect Lake site is a new Water Monitoring Hub where Swim Drink Fish can conduct their water quality monitoring program.

As summer draws to a close, we celebrate yet another successful Wilderness School expedition. This year marked the fifteenth cohort of the Wilderness School, embarking on the challenging Juan de Fuca trail—a first-ever backpacking trip for most participants.

Power To Be would like to extend a huge thank you for the amazing support that we received in the past couple of weeks for our pavilion and playspace projects, 25th anniversary events, and other exciting development of our community and spaces. We are so grateful for people who stand behind our mission and show their support in such diverse and purposeful ways.

Power To Be was presented with an exciting opportunity to partner with Nature Bee to create custom Beeswax wraps where 15% of the proceeds are donated to Power To Be. The timing was perfect as Nature Bee celebrates their 5th anniversary this year, and Power To Be celebrates our 25th! We caught up with Katie Gamble, Founder of Nature Bee, to share more about Nature Bee and what makes their products so special!

In the bustling summer months of programs and services at Power To Be, when the needs of our community can sometimes seem overwhelming and answers sometimes elusive, there emerges a guiding light, a beacon of wisdom and warmth that goes by the name Carinna.

Power To Be is grateful for the opportunity to publish this blog, written by Jannaca Chick, of Rocky Point Bird Observatory. Our partnership with Rocky Point Bird Observatory supports the ecology, conservation, and management of North American songbird populations.

This spring, as wildlife remerged and flowers bloomed, we found new and collaborative ways to spread our mission and share our site with the larger community. As laughter echoed through the trees, we embraced the spirit of spring and dove into exploration and adventure at Power To Be. Check out our Q2 Impact Report to learn more about our programs, collaborations, upcoming events, and community impact!

Over the years, many people in our communities have had the chance to visit Have A Go Days – a free, open-invite, no-registration, drop-in opportunity to visit us, try out Power To Be’s programs, and meet our community partners. As we reflect on our past 25 years, now is a great time to share the story of Have A Go Days in both Victoria and Vancouver: where we’ve been, where we’re at, and where we’d like to go.

Power To Be’s programs would not be possible without our wonderful volunteers who bring their spirit, skills, and smiles on every adventure. Among this dedicated group of volunteers is Josée McGeough, whose personal journey with Power To Be began decades ago when a chance encounter with a stranger changed the course of her life.

Tēnā Koutou, Nau Mai Koutou, Kia Ora Tātou Katoa! (A warm and generous welcome, greeting and acknowledgement to all of you reading this post) Ko Tangata Māori ahau (I am a Māori Person ‘visiting’ here on these Indigenous lands and waters of Vancouver Island)

Meet Graham, a multi-talented adventurer, experienced outdoor guide, instructor, and passionate advocate for accessible outdoor experiences. In his role as Training and Facilitation Lead, Graham finds immense fulfillment in sharing his skills with others.