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.

At Power To Be, we believe that nature can help us grow and find belonging. The concept of wellness is woven throughout our programs. With the introduction of the Wilderness Wellness stream, we are building more intentional programs to support people beyond feeling good with the goal of supporting them in functioning well.

Not one adventure is ever the same as one that came before. You can go to the same place, but the experience is always different. For this trip, our goal was to provide a family with a unique wilderness experience. To achieve this, connection and collaboration between several groups was essential and, as we discovered, enriching for everyone involved.

Power To Be exists beyond the four walls of any given building, beyond the structure of a day hike, beyond the flurry of activity at Power To Play. It exists in every person who supports, participates, works, volunteers, advocates for, and champions Power To Be.

I have had a phenomenal experience with Power To Be. With only 1% of my vision remaining, I felt that I couldn’t do many of the outdoor activities that I had always enjoyed. However, Power To Be has helped me to reclaim my relationship with the outdoors and has been a big part of my journey of self-discovery in trying to navigate life without vision.

In late August, BC parks made sure that everyone had access to this amazing experience by inviting Power To Be participants and their families to a Learn 2 Camp program in Cypress Provincial Park.

This past summer, Power To Be history was made when, for the first time, a dedicated team brought two TrailRiders on an overnight expedition. The weekend spent in Strathcona Provincial Park was full of games, stories, and laughs as the team bonded over the amazing experience. Power To Be volunteer Alyssa Savage recalls the expedition from her point of view.

The hike was filled with stories, laughing, and teamwork, as we encouraged each other during steep hills and sharp corners. I was amazed by the group dynamics and how quickly everyone effortlessly meshed together. Everyone was there for the same purpose, to share in an adventure together, and to support one another every step of the way, and it showed.

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.”

By looking at the interests of our Power To Be community we started to see how we can take the notion that Everyone Belongs in Nature and expand it beyond our programs.

Ryan got to go surfing. Watch this incredible experience and if his story inspires you, please share the story and consider donating to Power To Be today to ensure more people can experience moments that matter.

Codi and her family got to go surfing. Watch this incredible experience and if their story inspires you, please share the story and consider donating to Power To Be today to ensure more people can experience moments that matter.

On the Cheakamus River, you go with the flow. Find out what that experience was like for our participants through this first-hand account video.

When you explore your local park, venture down a hiking trail or paddle along a shoreline, have you ever asked yourself “who is missing from the outdoor spaces we love the most?” That is the question we recently explored at 2018 MEC Outdoor Nation. Find out more about what we discovered.

There is magic in a rushing river. Find out what our participants learned on a recent rafting adventure with youth from BC Children’s Teen Adventures program. 

Four families took to the waves to learn how to surf. What they found was a connection to nature and each other. Read more about this recent adventure and partnership with Spinal Cord Injury BC.

The InspireHealth Young Adults with Cancer crew reached new heights - physically and mentally - on the walls at Boulders Climbing gym. Find out how. 

High above the city skyline, at Cypress Mountain, Power To Be participants learned what it felt like to fly on a cloud with a little help from the cross-country skis strapped to their feet. Learn more about this new program opportunity. 

When she couldn’t find what she was looking for, Desiree made it herself. Find out how her Power To Be experiences helped inform a new spin on celebrating diversity.

Spending time outside with participants is always an impactful experience, but under the lights of The Magic of Christmas, our program at Butchart Gardens was extra special. Find out why.