Trails Youth Initiative Interview
Summer camp can be a pivotal experience for children. It gives them a chance to learn new skills, make friends, and grow their self-esteem in a safe, supportive setting. For kids facing challenges at home or in school, though, camp can be even more transformative.
That’s where Trails Youth Initiatives comes in. This Ontario-based program offers outdoor education and leadership development opportunities to children and youth who may not otherwise have such experiences.
Find out how they are shaping lives through consistent care and outdoor experiences.
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Want to support Trails? https://trails.ca/
December 8, 2023
Trails Youth Initiatives Is Encouraging Growth and Development through Outdoor Adventure
#584 Great.com Talks With... Trails Youth Initiative
In today's digital age, children are spending more time indoors than ever before. According to research, kids spend an average of 7 hours every day looking at screens. This lack of outdoor activity has led to a variety of physical and mental health problems. To combat this, many organizations are creating programs focused on outdoor adventure, and one of these is Trails Youth Initiatives.
Trails is an Ontario-based non-profit organization that provides outdoor adventure programs for children and youth. According to their website, their mission is to "encourage growth and development through outdoor adventure, environmental awareness, and community partnerships." In this article, we talk with Melissa Millward, the President of Trails Youth Initiatives, about the benefits of their programs and the impact they have on the children and youth who participate.
Empowering Youth Through Outdoor Adventure
Trails' programs are designed to help children and youth develop important life skills and improve their physical and mental well-being through outdoor activities. They offer programs for different age groups, including day programs for children aged 5-12, youth programs for teens aged 12-17, and leadership development programs for young adults aged 18-24.
For younger children, Trails offers programs that focus on building confidence, leadership skills, and social skills through outdoor activities such as nature walks, bug hunting, and shelter building. These activities encourage children to work together and develop problem-solving skills, while also improving their physical health through outdoor exercise.
Teens in the Trails program participate in more advanced outdoor activities such as canoeing, rock climbing, and overnight camping trips. These activities challenge teens to step out of their comfort zones and develop resilience, determination, and leadership skills.
Trails also offers leadership development programs for young adults. These programs are designed to help young adults develop the skills they need to become leaders in their communities. Participants learn about leadership principles, team building, communication, and problem-solving through a combination of classroom instruction and outdoor activities.
Through their programs, Trails has helped thousands of children and youth develop skills and improve their physical and mental health. According to their website, Trails' programs have been shown to improve participants' self-esteem, confidence, and social skills, and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
In today's digital age, it's more important than ever to encourage children and youth to spend time outdoors and engage in physical activity. Trails Youth Initiatives is one of many organizations that are creating programs focused on outdoor adventure to help children develop important life skills while also improving their physical and mental health. Through their innovative programs, Trails is helping to create a brighter future for the next generation.
To learn more about Trails Youth Initiatives and their impact, visit their website or follow them on social media.