"What the Heck is" introduces you to Vancouver organizations and causes you might not have yet heard about, written from an insider's point of view by people working within them. View the archive HERE.
Words: Samuel Welch
Photos: Courtesy Trees 4 Teens
Trees 4 Teens is the annual summer campaign of nurture and nature, striving to give back to the Vancouver community in two ways: as a positive impact on the environment through student tree planting, and as a fun and immersive fundraiser for the Take a Hike foundation. In the past five years the campaign has raised over $50,000 for Take a Hike, and at-risk teenagers have planted over 7,000 plants and trees.
Take a Hike is a full-time alternative education programme that engages at-risk youth through a unique combination of adventure-based learning, curriculum-standard academics, therapy, and community involvement. The program has 60 students and a staff team of 13 in Vancouver and the West Kootenays who are currently gearing up for their final hiking and kayaking expeditions of the school year.
As the program prides itself in its unique brand of adventure-based learning that takes full advantage of Vancouver’s beautiful outdoors on their doorstep. The Trees 4 Teens campaign is the perfect compliment to the program as it contributes to the green spaces so important to our community through student tree planting.
The Trees 4 Teens campaign is currently in the initial fundraising stage, during which we hope to engage individuals and corporations to donate and support this worthwhile cause. These donations will go to purchasing trees that students from Take a Hike program will plant in partnershp with Metro Vancouver this fall on one of their many adventures.
This year, Take a Hike’s goal is to raise $25,000. If that challenge is met, it would make this year their most successful Trees 4 Teens campaign to date! Take a Hike thanks and recognizes everyone who has donated in the pasts including our past corporate challenge winnners Lawson Lundell LLP, McCarthy Tetrault and Left Coast Naturals. The Foundationlooks forward to the continued interest from local businesses and Vancouverites at large.
For more information on the Trees 4 Teens campaign and to donate please visit www.takeahikefoundation.org/trees4teens
And finally for more information on the Take a Hike program please visit www.takeahikefoundation.org
