GUIDING HANDS RECREATION SOCIETY’S
TIPI CAMP NATURE RETREAT
ANNOUNCES:

The YA! PROGRAM for Young Adults

Crawford Bay, BC: Guiding Hands Recreation
Society announces the launch of a new YA! Program for Young Adults from
August 21-31, 2012. The YA! (Young Adult) Program is an 11-day wilderness
experience for youth 17-21 years of age. With an in-camp and mountain
adventure component, this transformative nature program leads young people to
discover who they really are and provides them with the tools to express this new
sense of self in effective ways.

The YA! Program began as a collective vision of instructors and participants in
the Tipi Camp’s wilderness programs for teens and children. Everyone agreed
we needed more. In 2011, the first-ever YA camp took place. The program was
a huge success, and has opened the way for an even more transformative and
empowering experience in 2012.

“This program has altered the course of my life in a hugely positive direction. I
am happier and healthier for the time I’ve spent here.” – Kyoko, YA participant
2011

This year’s YA! Program puts greater emphasis on nature immersion, inviting
participants to connect to the powerful elements of the mountains, forest, and
pure waters of Kootenay Lake through a variety of individual and group activities.
We have seen over the years that the power of wilderness immersion gives
young people space to uncover their own individuality in ways that are unique to
each person. Absorbing the power from wilderness, with supportive mentoring
from the staff and elders, each person receives the necessary self-awareness,
confidence, inspiration and passion to fan the flame of personal leadership in
their field of choice.

“The program has pushed all our true selves to the surface so we can really see
each other.” – Rosie, YA participant 2011

Insights from First Nation perspectives and ceremonies are woven into the
leaning experience. In the first four days, traditional purification lodge ceremonies
help set the tone for the journeying to come.

“Safe spaces are rare these days, especially for young people. This place, that is
so free from judgment and selfish thought, is a huge blessing.” – Kyoko

Participants have the opportunity to sleep in a tipi, backpack and camp in the
high alpine, and summit a major mountain peak. The young adults explore nature

journaling, create an action plan, join in food prep in the community kitchen,
connect with mentors and elders, and participate in lots of fun & games. At the
heart of the program are the enduring friendships and camaraderie amongst an
inspired group of young adults.

“You have given us a place where we can learn to trust people again.” – Kyoko

To give youth the quality of experience they deserve, and to fulfill the mandate
for low-impact mountain trekking, the program will only be open to 15
participants each year. To show their commitment to the program, those who
wish to take part must participate in a challenging admission process and involve
themselves in community-based preparatory activities for 2 months before the
camp begins.

The cost to the participant for this 11 day adventure is only $300 CDN,
which covers individual food costs. The remainder of the tuition is paid by grants
and donations from people and groups that understand what we are doing.
The real payment comes from the commitment and enthusiasm of each young
person.

Guiding Hands Recreation Society has educated people about the value of
nature and outdoor recreation for 24 years, and taught individual responsibility
for conservation, ecological awareness and sustainability. Under this mandate,
the society operates the secluded lakeside Tipi Camp on Kootenay Lake BC, the
base camp for the YA! experience. Partnering in this offering is the Self Design
High School of Nelson, BC. Self Design is an innovative alternative to public
school education.

Anyone interested in the YA! Program can go to www.tipicamp.bc.ca
The Tipi Camp is also on FaceBook. Applications can be made at: http://
www.tipicamp.bc.ca/events/ya/ya-application-form . Deadline is June 1.
Applicants will be invited to participate in the YA! Program based on a process
which includes a statement of interest and intention, and recommendations from
the members of the applicant’s home community.

For more questions or direct contact:

Sandra Bernier
P.O. Box 20, Crawford Bay, BC V0B 1E0 Canada
Phone: 250-505-3173
Email: ya@theeastshore.net

Jonathan Taylor
Phone: 250-354-7511 or email: jetnelson2009@gmail.com

Monica Nissen & class

Beyond Recycling students ‘tuned out’ at Earth Hour, working all month on Eco-Challenge

Columbia Basin, B.C. — Beyond Recycling students in nine classes at eight schools in the Kootenays are participating in a one-month Eco-Challenge to reduce their energy use and lower their impact on the Earth.

To mark the beginning of this Eco-Challenge—and of greener habits—they marked Earth Hour last Saturday, March 31, at 8:30 pm. That means they turned off the lights, unplugged the computers and experienced life without the buzz of all that electricity. Now, they plan to go ‘beyond Earth Hour.’

“Students have been studying and debating as part of the Beyond Recycling curriculum,” said Monica Nissen, Wildsight’s Beyond Recycling program manager. “They’re excited to see how they can reduce energy use in their own homes, how they can create less waste to go to landfills, and how they can support local food producers.”

The Beyond Recycling blog is a flurry of activity, as students from Jaffray to Blewett have posted short articles on what they’re learning in Beyond Recycling and why it’s important to them.

“I liked this lesson today because it taught us what we can do to prevent climate change,” wrote Kacie, a Grade 6 student at Twin Rivers Elementary in Castlegar.

(Read more at www.beyondrecycling.ca/blog.)

Nissen hopes parents of Beyond Recycling students will help conduct home energy and waste audits.

“The kids know how to do the audits,” Nissen said, “but the parents know where the natural gas and electricity bills are, and have a better idea of how much garbage and recycling their families have each week.”

Wildsight’s Beyond Recycling education program works with partners at FortisBC and the RDCK to deliver Beyond Recycling to different classes around the Columbia Basin every year. It’s a 20-week curriculum that covers a lot of ground. In the Nelson area, students at Blewett Elementary School, Trafalgar Middle School and Brent Kennedy Elementary School are participating this year.

“When you add it all up,” Nissen said, “figures show if everyone on the planet lived like North Americans, we’d need more than five more planets to meet everyone’s needs.”

“Kids grasp how untenable this is. They want to do something about it. And they can—but it really helps to have their parents on side.

“Let yourself be inspired by your child’s commitment to action,” Nissen said. “And have a great Eco-Challenge—and beyond.”

The Nelson Cycling Club has partnered
with the Ministry of Forests and the
RDCK to create a comprehensive plan
for future development of multi-use
recreation and mountain biking trails
at the old BlewettSki Hill and the area
extending up to and beyond Giveout
Creek FSR.

A charrette workshop for the Nelson
Cycling Club was held on February 13
 to garner ideas on how the area might
 be developed into a thriving
non-motorized, multi-use and mountain biking area
for Nelson. From ideas and comments generated through the workshop, a draft
plan has been created for the Nelson Cycling Club in order to establish a clear
direction for how trail development, and public amenities, among several other
things, may occur over the next several years at this important local recreation
area.

Justin Dexter, Recreation Officer for Recreation Sites and Trails BC has been
working with Nelson Cycling Club representatives and Studio 9 Architecture +
Planning Ltd. to develop the plan which they hope will help the Cycling Club
access funding from various sources who see the value in developing multi-use  
and mountain biking trails in the area. “The plan, which calls for a
revitalization of the Morning Mountain Recreation Site, is a timely proposal
because it is a worthy candidate for various funding opportunities. In
addition to developing the old Blewett Ski Hill area into a mountain biking
and multi-use destination, the trail network extending up to Giveout FSR and
above would be a good investment for the City of Nelson and its surrounding
areas. There is potential to transform the entire site into the premiere
mountain biking destination for Nelson. Rossland has had tremendous success
in achieving this by capitalizing on the draw of the Seven Summits trail,
there’s no reason Nelson can’t do the same.”

Mountain bikers, hikers, and all outdoor enthusiasts that have an
interest in this area are encouraged to visit nelsoncyclingclub.blogspot.com
to view a draft version of the plan and to provide input. Information about
the plan will also be available at local bike shops.

Press Release:

Members and guests listened attentively to Project Manager Russell Precious explain how we got here and what the property development options may be. Dave Wahn, City of Nelson’s Senior Planner, presented the City’s perspective on the redevelopment, and Co-op Finance Manager Paul Dawson helped the membership understand the financial context for the upcoming vote on the Special Resolution.

The Special Resolution …

That the Cooperative invest over 75% of its financial reserves for the sole purpose of
acquiring and developing the property described as 708 Vernon Street, Nelson,British
Columbia.

passed with an overwhelming majority: 119 votes in favour with 6 votes opposed.

The meeting concluded with celebrations and member mingling while enjoying sparkling cider and cake. Members were invited to sign up for upcoming redevelopment forums and express their ideas for the Co-op’s new home on a collage which will be ongoing and displayed in the store.

“I am thrilled with the impressive member turnout and the strong show of confidence for the Board and management” said General Manager Deirdrie Lang. “It is gratifying to see how supportive our owners are during this big decision making process and I congratulate the whole community as we move into this exciting phase in the life of the Kootenay Co-op”.

If you would like up-to-the-minute information on this and all Co-op activities, you can sign on to receive their Enews from the homepage of www.kootenay.coop, as well as regular updates in their newsletter and on Facebook.

For more information, contact Russell Precious, Project Manager at pm@kootenay.coop or Deirdrie Lang, General Manager at dlang@kootenay.coop.

Cascadia Poster Learn to build using solar power, green roof,and clay-wood construction. Attend our spring presentationseries or on-site summer workshops.

The local branch of the Cascadia Green Building Council has designed a new public washroom for Art Gibbons
Memorial Park in Rosemont, Nelson. The goal of this project is to construct a demonstration net-zero energy building that showcases healthy, local, energy conserving materials.

The building will be constructed with local clay and wood-chips, a vegetated green roof, and covered seating around the exterior of the building. Construction is set to begin in April, 2012 and is scheduled to be completed by September, 2012

Good News! The Kootenay Lake Medical Clini will stay open in its current location, under new ownership. As the new owners – Peggy Aitken (Clinic Manager) and husband Paul Lamoureux (Recruiting and Marketing) – we are hoping for continued community support in keeping this very vital service open for a long time! Established in 1998 by Dr. Dale and his wife Diana Haschke, this clinic provides an invaluable service not just to Nelson, but the entire West Kootenays.The Kootenay Lake Medical Clinic is currently the only Medical Practice that sees patients 7 days a week, without appointments. It is the only true Walk-In Clinic in all of the West and East Kootenays. KLMC is a unique mixture of dedicated family practice and urgent care medicine.

There are many patients that KLMC has been following for nearly 14 years continuously and who consider the KLMC physicians as their primary caregiver.The current owners have done an amazing job in challenging times, keeping the clinic staffed with (as Ms. Cheshire points out in her Feb.29 Letter to the Editor) “very friendly receptionists, unrushed, caring and concerned medical staff” all in a “pleasant atmosphere, great location?”

We will become the new owners officially as of April 1 and it is critical, in terms of keeping the clinic open 7 days a week, to find doctors who want to work and live in Nelson. Our first priority will be to continue with the incredible job Dr. Dale and Diana have done recruiting doctors. This will be an ongoing task that we are asking you, our friends and family, and the community to help us with.

Word of mouth is an amazing thing!

If you have a family member, a friend, a co-worker that is a doctor, or is acquainted with a doctor who might be interested in relocating to Nelson, please put them in touch with us ASAP. We have 2 guaranteed full time positions (35 hours per week) available immediately! A physician with a BC or other Canadian Provincial license would be the best immediate hire, but we are working towards being able to hire International Medical Doctors again, in the very near future.

250 352 6442  or email sweetwater@netidea.com

Creative Commons, Google Image

The Nelson Chapter of the Council of Canadians and the West-Kootenay EcoSociety
are presenting an information session on the controversial issue of “fracking” on March
22, World Water Day at 7:00 p.m., Seniors Branch 51, 717 Vernon Street (across
from Extra Foods). “Fracking” is a technique involving the injection of millions of litres
of water and thousands of litres of unidentified chemicals underground at very high
pressure creating fractures in the underlying shale rock formations to extract the
natural gas below the surface. Join Dan Woynillowicz of the Pembina Institute for a
provocative presentation that will explore the climate change and water impacts of
shale gas development in BC. Both the issues and solutions facing British Columbians
will be discussed. Dan joined the Pembina Institute in 2001 as a policy analyst, and is
now the Director of Strategy & Communications. For further information go to http://
canadians.org/water/issues/fracking/index.html.

Contact Information: Sandra Nelken, 352-5274

Chris Halderman, Creative Commons

It feaures new writing by Elena Banfield, Pippa Bowley, David Bracewell, Ellen Burt, Olindo Chiocca, Linda Crosfield, Alvin Ens, Denis Foley, Robert Banks Foster, Joel Guay, Tom Hardy, Kathryn Hartley, Sandra Hartline, Margaret Hornby, Paula Hudson-lunn, Glyn Humphries, Sean Arthur Joyce, Anna Kirkpatrick, Don R Law, Volker M, Phil Mader, Mark Mealing, Jordan Mounteer, Bree Switzer, Doug Wilton & Caroline Woodward.

Future launches soon in the valley and in Kaslo, Dates TBA

The All-In-One Event Calendar which was invented by The Seed Network (parent company of Inthekoots) for the Kootenays has become the most popular calendar/event planning plug-in in the WordPress community (the world’s largest website platform).

Since the launch only 4 months ago, our plug-in has been downloaded 101,631 times. Even more impressive is that with 194 reviews – it is still averaging 4.75 stars (out of 5).

The All-In-One Calendar system was invented to help organize community/business events and bring people together in the Kootenay Region. By simply posting events onto your own calendar, any other calendar in the network can subscribe and also promote your events.

For more information about how the calendar work see Inthekoots Video.   Download the plug-in at All-in-One Event Calendar Plug-in

Bradley Roulston is a partner of The Seed Network and publisher of Inthekoots