Quest - International Youth Leadership Expedition

Date:July 8 - July 28, 2012
Age: 14 to 17 years old (co-ed)
Price:$2,999 CDN + 12% HST (includes instruction, food, accommodation, some camping gear, camping fees, and transportation during the trip. Does not include flight and some optional activities.)
Locations:Whistler, Tofino, Gambier Island, Vancouver, Strathcona Park, Victoria

Canadian and international youth are welcomed to participate in a unique 21-day integrated leadership program while being immersed in an outdoor adventure expedition. Located in beautiful British Columbia, participants explore some of BC's most beautiful and significant locations, including: Whistler, Tofino, Gambier Island, Strathcona Park, Vancouverand Victoria.

Quest International Youth Leadership Expedition Highlights:

Participate in an intensive outdoor leadership program. Please refer to our trip plan for program details.
Hike to two glacier lakes (Rainbow and Joffre Lake)
Visit 2010 Olympic sites
Hike along the majestic coastlines on Vancouver Island
Spend the first 5 days at Whistler’s Fireside Lodge and sleeping the rest of the trip under the stars in some of BC's best Provincial Parks
Take a boat tour along Clayoquot Sound Strait
Learn the basics of front country and back country camping, day hiking and orienteering
Be supported by experienced and skilled instructors who will be supportive and provide supervision for 24 hours a day for the entirety of the program
Learn about leadership styles and compentencies of leaders
Partake in language and cultural exchange experiences with other international and Canadian youth
Participate in environmental stewardship projects

What is the International Youth Leadership Expedition all about?

British Columbia is one of Canada’s most popular provinces to tour, explore and camp. Our international and Canadian youth leadership program is about giving our youth the skills, knowledge and confidence to be self-propelled youth leaders of their generation.

The International Youth Leadership Expedition is a blend of an ultimate road trip for youth wanting to visit and explore some of the best places in British Columbia, while participating in an enriched leadership experience.

Our instructors support and teach participants how to lead themselves and develop a stronger sense of who they are, while learning the value of teamwork. Youth strive to understand their world and are eager to discover their leadership potential. Our 21-day program is a great educational stepping stone for youth to reach their vision.

Quest International Leadership’s Competency Elements

Individual Leadership – each youth will work towards developing what they consider their individual leadership foundation pillars

Community Leadership – the group will work together to build a strong leadership team and foundation before providing a half day environmental/community based stewardship project

Global Knowledge – the group will learn about relevant global and local issues centred around environmental practices, international politics, cultural understanding and leadership principles

Practical Skills – youth will become more competent with camping skills, navigation, decision-making, and life skills

Vision and Values – participants will spend time reflecting upon the experience and write a vision letter of what they hope to accomplish. All youth will learn about the five Fireside leadership values: Trust, Respect, Responsibility, Commitment, and Perseverance.

International Leadership Program Curriculum

The fundamental elements of the International Leadership Expedition are integral to providing successful and quality learning experiences for all our youth. The program focuses on the following three fundamental learning areas:

Individual & Group Fundamentals

Acknowledgement of mentors, family and friends
Solo experience
Write a Vision letter
Community stewardship projects
Full value leadership contract
Review the historical significance of the communities the group will visit during their road trip
Co-operative team building activities

Leadership Fundamentals

Definition & reference points of leadership - what is leadership and how is it referred to by others
Leadership theories and philosophy
Character & styles of leadership
Ethics & values - the principles of leadership
Creativity & design
Problem solving & challenge building (activity)
Learning and teaching techniques
Team building sessions (activity)
Communication & creativity (activity)
Practical application – Environmental stewardship exercise

Wilderness Fundamentals

Campsite management & selection
Minimum impact camping instruction
Outdoor cooking and food
Wilderness risk management essentials
Basic map, compass and navigation training
Hiking & backpacking sessions
Basic wilderness first aid & emergency exiting
Basic survival training (what to do when you are in trouble)
Plant and wildlife identification
Shelter & fire building

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Day 1: Vancouver/Whistler, Fireside Lodge

Arrivals between 11am to 6pm (Vancouver International Airport)
Check-in
Welcome Ceremony and Dinner at Fireside Lodge
Tour of Fireside Lodge
Email and phone call home
"Meet and Greet" with staff and youth group
Mountain Top activity

Day 2: Whistler, Fireside Lodge

Review meal preparations
Leadership Discussion Question: What is leadership?
Animal Aware: What do when you see an animal (bears, cougars and raccoons)
Overview of program goals and objectives, review safety and emergency procedures and full value agreement
Tour Whistler Village and 2010 Olympic sites
Barbeque dinner at Fireside Lodge

Day 3: Whistler, Fireside Lodge

Early morning hike
Learning and preparing for a hike
Hike to Rainbow Lake
Individual and group goal setting
Assignment of staff instructors to youth participants
Team building activities
Discussion: Understanding the 5 pillars of Fireside leadership

Day 4: Whistler, Fireside Lodge

Morning yoga/stretch
Problem solving & challenge building activity
Challenge By Choice Policy
Hiking 101 workshop
Hike to "Rainbow Lake"
Swim at Whistler Recreation Centre
Movie Night and resting sore legs

Day 5 - 11: Englishman River, Victoria, Strathcona Park and Tofino, Pacific Rim National Park

First night stay in Englishman River Provincial Park
Learn basics of campsite management, setting up tents and outdoor cooking
Meal planning lesson
Visit Coombs, Cathedral Grove and Ucluelet
Hike in Strahcona Park
Beach activities at Long Beach
Optional whale watching tour in Tofino
Gear inspection and tarp set up
Understanding Fireside’s leadership principles and values
Free time/Beach games
Visit tidal pools
Night hike
Visit First Nations art gallery
Leadership questionnaire

Day 12: Camp Fircom, Gambier Island

Pack up for Camp Fircom
Introduction to Camp Fircom (tour, community meeting, expectations and move into teepees)
Swim and shoreline walk
Evening camp crafts
SMORES

Day 13 - 19: Camp Fircom, Gambier Island

Canoe and kayak lessons
Archery and wilderness pursuits
Continuous team building activities
Eco-Stewardship Project – full day working on an organic farm
Community Project – building a teepee
Overnight canoe trip and hike
Solo experience
Outdoor International Leadership Skills Training Session:
- Shelter Building
  - How to build shelters with debris on the ground
  - How to make your shelter waterproof
- Rural and Wilderness Orienteering Course
  - How to read a map
  - How to use a compass
  - How to read the land
  - What to do when you are lost
- Animals and Bugs
  - What animals and bugs to be mindful of
Shower and clean up after returning from overnight camp in the mountains

Day 20: Vancouver (Accommodation: TBA)

Early departure for Vancouver
Site seeing and graduation dinner
Special evening activity

Day 21:

Early departure
Fly home

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Fireside Adventures - Youth Camps : Quest - International

Quest - International Youth Leadership Expedition