Youth Outdoor Education: A Successful Trip to Galiano!

By Kate Mitchell

This past May, Templeton's Youth Outdoor Education (YOE) program went on a two-night backpacking trip to Galiano Island. Galiano is one of the Southern Gulf Islands, and is also relatively small. Full of natural beauty, this island is known for its public parks such as Montague Harbour and Dionisio Point Provincial Park. For weeks prior to the trip, these students collaborated with their group mates to prepare meals suitable for the trip. The participants gained many new skills, more knowledge about native plants and animals, and countless memorable experiences.

This trip also provided many learning opportunities about the area and its ecosystems. Students learned about native and invasive species, lichen and moss, symbiotic relationships in our ecosystems, and canopy gaps. Canopy gaps, I learned, are clearings of trees in forests, usually caused by dying trees or weather events such as hurricanes or windstorms. In these gaps, more sunlight can get through and depending on the size of the clearing, diverse vegetation - which wouldn't have been able to grow otherwise - is now able to thrive. This makes for unique and interesting patches of forest, which eventually allows for new trees to grow once again. While speaking to a few students who went on the trip, they told me about their favourite moments, which included watching vibrant sunsets on the beach, observing life in tidal pools, and embarking on scenic hikes. One grade 10 student said the beach was "one of the nicest rocky beaches [she's] ever been to," that the rocks were incredibly vibrant, and that some were even large enough to sunbathe on. As for weather, the program got very lucky with very minimal rain throughout the whole trip. Unlike their trip to Mount Garibaldi in September, which took place during an atmospheric river, the sun was shining and morale seemed to be much higher.

However, the trip was not without its challenges. Along their trail, there were ticks around, and a couple of students ended up getting bitten. There was also a section on the trail with stinging nettle that snagged a few hikers. While it may be stressful, the common nettle's effect is usually minimal, often just causing a skin rash. Other than a couple of minor challenges, the experience was very positive for everyone and a big success for the YOE program! I have heard nothing but great things about the trip, and the program in general. I am sure that these students will cherish the memories made on this trip for a long time.

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