Outward Bound Canada and Power To Be join forces to make the outdoors accessible
At Outward Bound Canada (OBC), we believe the life-changing benefits of spending time outdoors and learning from nature should be accessible to everyone. Yet, for those with different abilities, needs or backgrounds, the outdoors can feel restrictive and exclusive, so we’re working hard to close that gap. One way we’re doing that is by partnering with organizations like Power To Be to make the outdoor sector in Canada more inclusive.
Inclusivity at the heart of the OBC Training Academy
We launched the OBC Training Academy in 2022 to foster diverse outdoor leaders across Canada. So when we approached Power To Be (PTB) — a leader in adaptive nature-based programs with the vision that “Everyone Belongs in Nature” — our goals aligned perfectly. Together, we developed the pilot program Adaptive Foundations, which combines the Training Academy’s Foundations program with PTB’s experience in empowering diverse populations.
The result was a four-day program held at PTB’s stunning facility on Prospect Lake on Vancouver Island, BC, for people who self-identify as having a barrier, disability, or mental health consideration. We tailored the curriculum to meet each of the six participants – all of whom are interested in outdoor work or volunteering – where they were in both experience and needs.
According to TA Curriculum Manager Fiona Hough, the Foundations program is designed for people who have no outdoor leadership training and little or no experience in the outdoors, but are curious to take the first steps toward a career in the field. In a traditional Foundations course, TA offers a centre-based six-day introductory course in outdoor education and leadership with an optional five-day field trip. The Adaptive Foundations program focused on the core content of the centre-based portion and condensed it into a one-day online session, followed by a four-day in-person program at PTB’s adaptive Prospect Lake site. “To make the program more accessible, we’ve incorporated an online module about PTB’s approach to adaptive and inclusive outdoor programs and eliminated some of the certifications we normally offer to reduce participation time and increase recruitment,” adds Fiona.
“The curriculum, purpose and delivery method of the Training Academy (TA) fit perfectly with PTB’s mission to provide access to nature for people with cognitive, physical, financial and social barriers. Our program was already highly adaptive, but working with PTB in their purpose-built facility expanded the range of participants we could serve, and their pedagogy and purpose were a great fit for the Training Academy,” says Brandon Boltz, OBC Academy Trainer, who, along with colleague Kat Woods, led the course in collaboration with Carinna Kenigsberg, Director of Programs and Impact, and Graham Bos, Training & Facilitation Lead at PTB.
A life-changing experience for all bodies and abilities
The program brought together participants who had led equine therapy programs, taught local flora and fauna, and worked with Indigenous communities and newcomers. With the common goal of building confidence and skills, the group practiced tying knots, building tarps, group facilitation and an introduction to risk management — all using adaptive methods to suit different learning styles and participant needs.
“The OBC staff was trained in the PTB philosophy prior to the course, so we were all on the same page,” Brandon says, adding that the most surprising realization for him was how possible adaptive programming is. “An additional participant-focused moment can make all the difference in their ability to be included in an activity. For example, using pontoons on a kayak for stabilization to make a new paddler feel safe is an adaptation that can be done for anyone.”
Throughout the program, participants connected deeply with each other and with nature, as Carinna Kenigsberg recalls:
– They paddled together on the lake, drifted under willow branches, and hiked with adaptive outdoor gear, creating a calm, safe environment that helped them learn and grow. A meaningful moment was when an Indigenous participant taught the group how to weave cedar and they modified a tree together, while another participant sang a song of gratitude for the tree, fostering a collective spirit of respect and appreciation.
Brandon Boltz also recounts a remarkable experience during the program:
– Every morning we met by the hand-carved totem poles. On the first day, our circle was big enough to fit 25 people; on the last day, it was just big enough for the 10 of us. As we overcame challenges and learned with and from each other, we grew closer both figuratively and physically.
Essential steps for a more inclusive outdoor sector in Canada
Programs like this are changing old narratives and creating new industry norms that invite everyone into the outdoor sector. “OBC and PTB have shown that inclusivity can broaden our understanding of who can thrive in outdoor roles without compromising learning objectives. While there are still many who do not see themselves represented in the outdoor sector, we hope to change that by offering inclusive training opportunities and creating a welcoming space for all to experience the outdoors,” says Carinna Kenigsberg.
OBC Academy Trainer Brandon Boltz hopes this program will be an example and motivation for more engagement and partnerships with industry professionals to bring adaptability to the forefront and offer more inclusive outdoor programs, which includes thinking about what it means to be adaptive and inclusive. “There are ways to be more responsive to individual needs. We need to create space for everyone and give each person the opportunity to express their needs without prejudice, because ultimately each person is the expert on their personal experiences and abilities,” he says.
You can help bring adapted programs to more people
As a registered charity, Outward Bound Canada relies on your support to make programs like this one possible. Your donation helps us expand our work with partners like Power To Be, breaking down barriers and creating more opportunities for everyone to experience the transformative power of the outdoors. Every contribution counts — donate today and help us build an inclusive outdoor community.