Blog

Mark Miller knows the power of perception. It’s the fluid line between what you think you can and cannot do. A life-long adventure seeker, Mark joined Power To Be at WildPlay Element Park to challenge the perception of what was possible – for him and potentially others.

It was the perfect campsite. Roasting marshmallows by the fire, a cozy tent and nature all around. You might have looked twice though when you realized the whole scene was rolling away.

The culture of philanthropy created by our supporters is worthy of celebration. As a nod to the contributions of many, Power To Be is honoured to share the accomplishments and contributions of one of our cornerstone supporters, Rogers Communications, and its founder Ted Rogers. 

Out on the water, it didn’t matter what was left back on the beach. “You couldn’t see the wheelchair,” says Lucie Petrová. “There was just talking and laughing and you couldn’t see the barriers. It was amazing.”

Surfing is the perfect instance of creating a partnership with nature. Your body, your board, and the water must seamlessly align. When you succeed, you achieve something extraordinary. That’s what this Tofino trip was about for Power To Be’s Adaptive Recreation and Wilderness School youth – coming together to break through personal barriers and literally walk on water. 

For Leesa Watson, being in the middle of nowhere brought her even closer to home. Together with her daughter Brittni, Leesa joined Power To Be for its annual family trip to Nimmo Bay Resort. The four-day retreat is focused on strengthening family bonds and the remote location within the Great Bear Rainforest provides the perfect backdrop.

Throughout my practicum I have had many opportunities to learn about gathering strength and empowerment from a nature-based activity. These activities give people the opportunity to grow and develop beyond the limits placed on them by society, social systems and negative self-concept. I have observed many interactions that highlight human compassion and understanding while pushing for individual change and growth.

Settling into a new culture brings a myriad of challenges no matter what age you are; from learning a new language, new customs and cultural norms, culture shock, integration and everything else that comes along with leaving everything you know behind and starting fresh. And then you add the natural challenges of just being a teenager. This is the reality for so many youth that have moved across the world to begin a new life in Canada.