Every year, the Youth Directorate hosts a leadership camp for young Yukoners in rural communities who have exciting jobs as young leaders. And every year, BYTE comes along to offer leadership tips, teach new games, and provide tools that youth can bring back to their communities.
This year, we got to hang out with young people and youth workers from Carcross, Tagish, Carmacks, Dawson City, and Haines Junction. For three days, we learned new games, spent time outdoors, and got to know each other.
Always keen to get youth outdoors, Natalie kicked off the camp by leading everyone on a hike up Fish Lake. Not only did everyone make it to the top, they learned new games and tackled team challenges along the way. A brief hailstorm at the summit meant that we were all a little soggy when we got back, but everyone stayed in good spirits the whole time.
We spent the next day covering CATCH curriculum with Ricky, who runs the Tr’rondek Hwech’in Youth Centre in Dawson City. CATCH is an approach to kids programming that encourages active living and healthy eating. All the participants learned and created new games that they’ll be able to run in their home communities.
On the last day, BYTE offered Facilitation 101 to help give participants some of the tools they’ll need to work with other groups of young people. Then we headed out on the Yukon River to paddle from Whitehorse to the Takhini River Bridge.
With two huge voyageur canoes and 24 degree weather, water fights were inevitable. Two huge water guns and lots of laughs later, we were back at the Takhini River Bridge ready to head back to Whitehorse and say goodbye.
Thanks to everyone who participated! We hope to see you all again soon!