Happy holidays from all of us at Power To Be

We have a lot to celebrate this year, and the people in our community are at the very heart of that. With 2017 coming to an end, and big things on the horizon for 2018 we want to share some milestone moments from the year that was.

In Vancouver, we camped at Alice Lake and backpacked through Golden Ears Park. We paddled together with Takaya Tours, learning to move together while deepening our understanding of the rich cultural history of the places we explore. We kayaked in Squamish, hiked the Bowen Lookout with the TrailRider, and shared a memorable surf trip with participants to Tofino.

In Victoria, we visited big trees with participants and volunteers, paddled the waters at Prospect Lake with families and planted roots at our Prospect Lake site where participants helped plant donated tree saplings. The Wilderness School youth explored the trails on two wheels during a mountain bike program and shared other adventures throughout Vancouver Island.

We helped connect participants and their families to a few once-in-a-lifetime adventures too. Wilderness School alumni were among the 120 youth participating in the 2017 Students On Ice Expedition, and families from Vancouver spent a few memorable days in Desolation Sound aboard the Pacific Yellowfin.

We inspired a massive mural in downtown Victoria and were on the first team to run the TC10K with TrailRiders thanks to a partnership with Recreational Integration Victoria and PISE.

Our signature fundraising events, Power To Play Victoria, Power To Play Vancouver and Power To Golf raised record-breaking support for our inclusive adventures. We celebrated a partnership with the Steele family that resulted in a 25-year lease of our site at Prospect Lake. We were honoured to be the recipient of a HeroWork Radical Renovation on that site, adding a dramatic post and beam cedar Roundhouse, trails and camping areas among other elements.

We also partnered with Christine Lintott Architects to design more program spaces on the site, and are excited for what 2018 will bring for our participants, volunteers and partners.

Those adventures garnered us some recognition too. We were honoured to be a finalist for a Canadian Nature Museum Nature Inspiration Award, and a finalist for Phillips Benefit Brew.

None of these moments would have happened without the collective efforts of our participants, volunteers, staff and supporters. On behalf of all of us at Power To Be, we hope you enjoy your holidays and time with friends and family. As our team will be doing the same, please note that the offices will be closed Dec. 25, 2017 to Jan. 2, 2018. We look forward to connecting with you and seeing you in 2018!

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