Program Description
The Take a Hike program is a unique program made possible by a
partnership between the Take a Hike Youth at Risk Foundation and the
Vancouver Board of Education. The program is based at John Oliver
Secondary School and focuses on at-risk youth aged 15-19, grades 10-12.
Take a Hike operates on a semester system. The first semester runs from
September to January. The second semester runs from February to June. It
is a three year program drawing on the principles of experiential
learning – that students learn and grow best through firsthand
experience and that there is a need for balance between academic
requirements and adventure-based activities.
The program is specifically designed to address the learning
difficulties and social/emotional needs of youth who are not able to
cope in regular high school classes. The adventure-based component uses
outdoor and adventure-based activities to enhance established academic
and personal objectives. Students will be guided through simple group
and individual tasks to situations requiring more complex skills. The
adventure-based activities will include activities such as canoeing,
hiking, backpacking, orienteering, camping, snow shoeing, ropes courses
and trust exercises. Group and individual counseling is used to provide
students with opportunities to learn new coping skills.
Program Location
| Administering School: | John Oliver Secondary School |
| Address: | 530 East 41st Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V5W 1P3 |
| Telephone: | 604-713-8243 (Gr. 11 & 12) & 604-713-8255 (Gr. 10) |
| Fax: | 604-713-8937 |
| Program Website | http://www.takeahikefoundation.org/?page=intake |
Student Profile
The Take a Hike Program is designed primarily for students who are
between the ages of 15-19, grades 10-12 and who are at-risk of dropping
out of school or who have already dropped out.
Academic Goal
The academic program is self-paced, and provides credits for Grade 10
through 12. Students will receive a School Leaving Certificate or a
B.C. Secondary School Graduation Certificate (Dogwood Certificate). In
addition to providing educational and recreational programming, the
program staff is dedicated to working individually with students to
focus on their social and emotional needs.
REFERRAL PROCESS
Please complete the application form and attach all required documentation.
All referrals are reviewed to determine program suitability relative to individual student needs. Successful applicants will be contacted by the Youth and Family Worker to arrange an intake interview with the student and their parent/guardian. Upon acceptance to the program, students must sign a Medical Clearance Form before attending classes.
Take a Hike operates on a semester system: Sept - Jan and Feb - Jun
