Project C.A.N.O.E (Creative and Natural Outdoor Experience)

http://www.canoe.org/

The initiative is a collaboration between Project C.A.N.O.E and The Spot, funded by YCF in Round 1. The initiative focuses on providing young leaders from Jane-Finch with outdoor educational opportunities to encourage positive personal growth and skills development.

The initiative has two components:

1) Young Leaders Group - the two organizations coordinate weekly sessions at The Spot to discuss leadership development and plan outdoor trips. Participants also receive First Aid and Bronze Cross certification.

2) Youth use their skills to outreach and engage their peers to participate in the initiative with the aim of becoming completely youth-led. 

Since receipt of YCF funding, 32 youth have been involved with the initiative and a core group of 10 youth have been directly involved in planning and implementing the work plan. A former participant has been hired as the Assistant Coordinator.

Youth have benefitted from several opportunities to get away from the sometimes stressful environment of Jane-Finch. Access to experiential learning through outdoor activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing and ecological tours has encouraged participants to develop new skills and interests.