Welcome to Power To Be
Power To Be is a registered charity that creates access to nature for youth, adults, and families living with cognitive, physical, financial, and social barriers.
Since 1998, we’ve been providing accessible outdoor adventure programs like kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, and more.
At Power To Be, we run outdoor nature programs for all ages and abilities, all year long! We offer programs in both Victoria and Vancouver where you can join us for a day, for a weekend, or sign up for a long term cohort. Try out canoeing, hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, rock climbing, geocaching, yoga, and more with our dedicated and knowledgable program team.
About Our Programs
-
Join us for a one day program to focus on participating in an activity with a mixed group of participants. We focus on skill and community building through activities like canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, rock climbing, yoga, hiking (TrailRider option), and Have A Go Days.
-
Our progressive programs, or multi-day programs are adventures with the same group of participants for 3-4 sessions. Try an overnight camping program, or join one of our spring break and summer day camps.
-
Our Wilderness School cohort is a two year extracurricular program for independent youth in grade 8 who identify with social, emotional, or financial barriers.
Our Landscaping and Restoration Training Program is a 12 week employment and training program for adults ages 18-25 interested in building landscaping and restoration literacy, and supporting community connections
Our Ferns & Salal Cohorts are adaptive weekly after-school programs for youth ages 7-11 and 12-15.
-
Partnership is at the core of Power To Be. We work with BC Parks, CRD, Metro Vancouver, Parks Canada, and BC Parks Foundation to facilitate community programs in local BC parks! With partners like Rocky Point Bird Observatory and Special Bird Service, we run collaborative bird watching programs. We also work with schools and other charitable organizations for specially tailored programs to suit a wide variety of needs.
We affirm, with respect, that Power To Be’s site is on the unceded lands of the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations [these are the lands of the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) W̱SÍ,KEM (Tseycum) BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin) and MÁLEXEŁ (Malahat) First Nations], and the Lək̓ʷəŋən People (known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations).
The SENĆOŦEN name for Prospect Lake is the XOĆEs TŦE W̱SÁSENEĆ which translates as “lake of the little emerging mountain.”
Our Commitments
Inclusion
We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where everyone - regardless of race, gender, age, ability, religion, identity, or background - feels seen, heard, and valued.
Reconciliation
We are committed to reconcili-action as a lifelong journey—centering Indigenous voices, showing up as community members, and continuously learning with humility and respect. Our valued, ongoing partnerships with local Nations inform and enrich our programming and operations.
Environmental Stewardship
We believe everyone belongs in nature, and we are committed to preserving and protecting our environment to ensure future generations can enjoy the beauty and connection that nature provides.
Ways To Give
-
![]()
Donate
From monthly giving and legacy gifts to corporate partnerships, donations sustain our programs and support our participants.
-
![]()
Volunteer
Our programs and events couldn’t run without the time, support, and commitment of our dedicated volunteers.
-
![]()
Partner
From participants to venues, our community partners contribute invaluable connections and resources.
-
![]()
Fundraise
Every dollar raised has lasting impact in our community and we are grateful for the creativity people bring to Community-Led Fundraisers in support of Power To Be.
As one of Canada’s unique organizations focused on nature access and inclusion for everyone, our mission is to build community and invite people to explore what’s possible in nature. We lead barrier-free access with low-cost and no-cost programs, assistive technology, experienced facilitators, and more. Power To Be meets people where they are so they can experience the benefits of exploring all that nature has to offer. In 2024:
Feel The Impact
415+
Programs Offered
3,719+
Participant Visits
70+
Community Partners
Make an impact today.
