Sofia is an admin volunteer at Power To Be’s Victoria office. Her smile and energy consistently bring a gentle calmness to our office space on Wharf St. Consistency, passion, and an awesome sense of style, Sofia has it all!

Thank you Phillips Brewing and Malting Co. for your ongoing support. When asked why they support Power To Be, Matt Phillips says, “Power to Be is a great resource in our community for those who need support in accessing nature. Phillips Brewing Co admires this effort and is proud to support the fantastic programs.” 

Power To Be's programs offer new opportunities to get outside and explore. We are so grateful for the places we visit, the people who are a part of our programs, and the experiences that we share in nature, together. Today, we at Power To Be are exploring Stanley Park with new Open Adventure participants. For some, it will be their first Power To Be program and for others, it will be their reconnection with Power To Be after multiple years.

Rich history and nature collide at the Kinsol Trestle in Shawnigan Lake; a hidden gem located just outside of Victoria. Originally constructed in 1920 for mining and logging, the late railway is now a popular adventure spot with spectacular views of the surrounding forest landscape and the rushing river below. A spot for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding, the area has excellent accessibility with gravel trails that can accommodate both strollers and wheelchairs.

Waist-deep snow, mountain ranges, and spectacular moonlit views; this is the adventure that Power To Be’s Year 3 Wilderness School Cohort embarked on this month. On a clear February day, 7 youth, 3 staff members and a Power To Be volunteer headed out into the snow for a two-day, one-night snowshoeing adventure at Strathcona Provincial Park. The journey’s destination? Lake Helen Mackenzie, an 8-kilometre trail loop and a popular camping spot during both summer and winter.

Over the last 20 years, Helijet has generously supported Power To Be by donating auction prizes, sharing awareness through social accounts and in-terminal, providing flights for staff and participants, sponsoring and competing in Power To Be’s signature fundraising events and spreading awareness through their branded Power To Be courtesy shuttles and aircrafts. Helijet started their first collaboration with Power To Be almost 20 years ago – by lending an old canoe for an expedition that Power To Be’s founder, Tim Cormode, was facilitating.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park provides the perfect outdoor escape from the hustle and bustle of the city while being only a stone’s throw away. With 27km of trails to choose from in the 405-hectare park, there’s really something for everyone in this slice of nature right in downtown Vancouver.

Having been a participant with Power To Be for almost 5 years, participant Ross Johnson has attended all kinds of adventures. When I asked Ross why he likes coming to Power To Be he said it is because we have helped him reach "so many goals". Ross has overcome fear, become more resilient, and had huge feelings of accomplishment from his time on programs.

After months of anticipation, the team at Power To Be is stoked to unveil our new yurt. Participants were invited to check out the finished project at our Holiday Have-A-Go December 8, 2019. The new structure, tucked in among the trees of our campsite and trails, was built as part of a larger plan to open more accessible programming spaces at our Prospect Lake site.

Meet Andrea!Andrea’s journey with Power To Be started in 2014 as a practicum student in Vancouver while in Capilano University’s Outdoor Recreation Management program. Since joining Power To Be, Andrea has worked as a Program Facilitator, has managed the OA program, and is now one of Vancouver’s Community Development Coordinators and a mentor for many who have been a part of Power To Be. While at work, Andrea is fuelled by the opportunity to connect with others, and nature provides the setting to do just that. Andrea is an acute observer who absorbs and makes decisions that positively impact the people and situations around her. Thanks for all that you bring to Power To Be, Andrea!

"This past summer I was lucky enough to participate in a Students On Ice expedition. I spent two weeks on a ship in western Greenland and the eastern Canadian Arctic learning about climate change, Sustainable Development Goals, ocean literacy, blue economy, healthy communities, and so much more."

Power To Be has been supported by Peninsula Co-op since 2007. Over the years, that support has amounted to over $155,000 donated to support our inclusive programs. Beyond financial contributions, the individual Peninsula Co-op locations throughout southern Vancouver Island provide genuine care whenever our vans pull into their stations.

Have you ever wanted to get back at your trainer for all those sit-ups, push-ups, or burpees they had you do? Innovative Fitness’s Train the Trainer event is the ultimate opportunity to get back at your trainer while making a difference in your community. This year, over $120,000 was raised in total for all of the Innovative Fitness locations, with the Victoria location reeling in $13,000 in support of Power To Be!

Simon brings a family tradition and lifelong dedication to education into his role as Vice-Chair of the Board and Chair of the Governance Committee at Power To Be. Over the past two years, Simon has spent many hours on multiple projects including overseeing the massive job of updating our governance structure and policies but knows that at the heart of Power To Be is its programs and participants.

The 7th Canadian Adventure Therapy Symposium (CATS) brought nature-based practitioners from across Canada to Whitehorse for three days of networking, learning, and celebration. Power To Be has been a proud member CATS family since the collective's inception 10 years ago. The vision of CATS is to connect leaders who promote and support the therapeutic benefits of adventure and nature-based programming.

About forty-five minutes outside downtown Victoria is an explorer’s paradise: East Sooke Park. The park is over 14 square kilometers and features beaches, 50 kilometers of trails, viewpoints, and lots of great places for a picnic.

A visionary, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist. Ted Rogers was one of kind. From his unstoppable ambition to his unique ability to connect with people, Ted Rogers pathed the way for so many in his journey to success. To honour the late Ted Rogers, the Ted Rogers Scholarship was generously created by the Rogers’ family and launched in 2017 to carry on Ted’s values and legacy. Ted Rogers and his legacy continues to inspire our work at Power To Be every day. The differences made in the lives of so many because of Ted Roger’s work is truly inspiring and we at Power To Be will continue to honour his legacy in everything that we do.

Want to hike, climb, paddle, and bike in style? Power To Be has just released some awesome, special edition socks as a part of our annual campaign. Only 500 pairs will be distributed so don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to do good and look good!

Kayaking has been part of Power To Be’s program offering for over 20 years, and during that time we have explored the waters around Victoria and Vancouver. Thanks to recent support from the BC Rehab Foundation and the Quiet Cove Foundation, we are ready to continue our exploration with new and updated equipment.

A staple within the CRD for families and summertime dippers, Durrance Lake has more to offer than a place to catch some sun. As one of the few lakes within the Mount Work Regional Park, it is the most accessible with a parking lot close to the lake, and a wide graveled trail along the Northside with washrooms, picnic benches, small beaches, and an accessible fishing dock where you can catch smallmouth bass and cutthroat trout.