Power To Be introduced me to nature and the outdoors. Our group for the program consisted of eight clients which turned out to be the optimal size. The Power To Be staff supported us in our journey helping us get maximum benefits from the experience. Their expertise created a sense of ease. I knew they’d make sure we stayed safe at all times.
To further help create a safe and familiar environment for clients, two ICMHA staff were present on outings. With four group leaders and eight clients, the 1:2 staff to client ratio allowed for the right amount of support. Someone paid attention to us at all times and I never felt alone, isolated, or ignored. The group bond was enhanced by limiting participation in the program to young adults. We had a lot in common. For instance four people lived in a group home which is something I've experienced in the past as well.
The Power To Be van sat fourteen people and everyone could comfortably sit without feeling crammed in. The vibe shifted often while riding to and from activities from people talking a lot to near silence. Staff went with the flow and never forced conversations. I enjoyed getting to know everyone. My chief complaint is that the rides back to ICMHA took long and we'd arrive well after 4pm. Traffic gets heavier by 4pm and going through town becomes a slow process. Being tired after an activity makes it feel longer but driving to the activities felt rapid. We're excited about the upcoming activity to begin so boredom never kicked in. The healthy snacks varied from week to week and were a great reward. Snacks may seem insignificant but helped enhance the overall experience as we were never hungry.
Visiting Mary's Farm helped connect us with animals such as llamas and horses. They are living beings that we share this earth with and now I see why some people love horses. Initially I felt uncomfortable around the horses but Mary guided us through gradually. We started by observing the horses, feeding them and by the end I touched the horses as I brushed them. The llamas were intriguing and I couldn't quite figure them out. Our mellow first outing was a success and a great way to ease us into nature and the outdoors.
The Metchosin Boys and Girls Club campsite was my least favorite of the activities but for the first time I visited Metchosin. The mountains in the background were beautiful. Survival skills are important but setting up tarps was too advanced for me and not something that I could practically use or learn quick. Fire starting was useful. It was simple and I could see where I would apply the skill. The trickiest part was cutting the the wood into thin slices.
I've wanted to try activites on the water for years. However there are many logistical barriers to me being able to participate in canoeing, kayaking or jet-skiing. I enjoyed going to Elk Lake for canoeing. The leader of the canoeing session was an expert and works for Power To Be We had trouble getting into the canoe because the water levels were high around the dock. Staff did great to make sure nobody got their feet too wet. The importance of teamwork became evident with everyone in one canoe. Canoeing helped us form a strong bond because we were all in it together. The canoe felt unstable and I would've enjoyed it more had the ride been smoother. My arms got tired quickly but I survived. Canoeing isn't as hard as rowing. I had trouble maintaining the proper technique so I fatigued quickly. Paddling around the lake allowed us to observe the beautiful aspects of nature. Being out on the lake was the most calming outing. I wish we'd spent more time enjoying the scenery and less paddling. It was hard to do both. For four out of the five weeks we had good weather and this was a nice yet crisp day out on the water. After getting motion sickness in the canoe I learned an important lesson. Rowing isn't a sport I'd be suited for.
The time spent at Mt. Doug on a sunny day was enjoyable. We began with team building skills which calmed my nerves down. The thought of having to do some hiking causbed tension but the hike we did was cool. It was short but for me it was more challenging than Mt. Work. More difficult terrain to get up and down. The view atop the intended destination was great and we did a sit spot and to help take in our breathtaking surroundings. While at the top I worried about climbing down. It was great doing something scary yet still in the challenge zone but bordering on my harm zone. My confidence grew as I saw other non-hikers in the group successfully navigate their way down so it no longer felt unsafe to me. The outing ended with time spent on the ocean shore learning about the visible islands. It was a great way to wind down after the hike and our trip to Mt. Doug felt like a complete experience.
Due to inclement weather the trip to Mt. Work wasn't my favorite activity of the program but was by far the most challenging and rewarding one. I felt comfortable because there wasn't much rock climbing and it was mostly wide paths so I never felt unsure. The exception was the short climb at the end to the summit but that was easier than our hike at Mt. Doug. I prepared for rain and strong winds but overlooked some things such as gloves, toque and mini backpack that staff were able to let me use.. The hike took about an hour to the top and thirty minutes to get down which was a challenge but everyone could manage it. It was the perfect hike for beginners. Being with a group of people helped me feel comfortable and provided enjoyable company. When I walked alone I got bored fast. Power To Be staff warned us that most hiking accidents take place on the way down and so be extra careful on the way down. Going down was easier than I thought because I followed the lead of others. I've only hiked three times in my life before hiking Mt. Work and felt challenged but not overwhelmed. I've hiked Mt. Finlayson a couple of times and have had to stop because I felt my harm zone approaching and I think it'd be too challenging for a Power To Be outing. It was rewarding and I felt a greater sense of accomplishment afterwards that afternoon than I've felt in over a year. I've been struggling to congratulate myself after activities so having a rock to take home as a souvenir and reminder of the accomplishment really helps. The moments we shared as a group atop Mt. Work taking pictures and having people share their words about the group was a great way to finish off the Power To Be experience.
Since the end of Power To Be with ICMHA, I've started going on Moksha community hikes, hiked on my own and continued to attend Power To Be's Open Adventure activities. I'm adopting nature and the outdoors as part of a healthy lifestyle even it may never be a passion. The health benefits are evident. I've used a lot of what I learned and look forward to next year if ICMHA decides to host it again.