Skip to content

Take a hike in Cowichan

Partnership helps support vulnerable youth
25633995_web1_210701-CHC-Take-a-hike-happening_1

The Cowichan Valley School District is partnering with the Take a Hike Foundation to bring critical supports to vulnerable youth through its well-proven program.

The program will start in the Cowichan Valley School District during the 2021-22 school year. With the partnership with Take a Hike, students are engaged in a full-time mental health and emotional well-being program in an alternative education classroom.

Since its inception 20 years ago, the Take a Hike Foundation has supported hundreds of students and allowed them to see success in their lives – however they define it.

“We are grateful that we have been able to make this crucial partnership,” said Candace Spilsbury, chair of the Cowichan Valley School District’s board of education. “Providing wrap-around supports outside a traditional school schedule or function will help ensure every student can receive what they need to thrive.”

“We are so excited to introduce Take a Hike’s program to Cowichan Valley in partnership with the Cowichan School District,” offered Gordon Matchett, chief executive officer of the Take a Hike Foundation. “The positive and enthusiastic reception received from the school community has made our partnership that much more impactful in being able to empower Cowichan Valley youth to succeed.”

The district is actively recruiting for the program. If you know a student who would benefit from the Take a Hike program, or would like more information, contact the Cowichan Valley Open Learning Cooperative at cvolc@sd79.bc.ca