Welcome Package

Sparrow Brothers Summer Leadership Course

Rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and leading with adventure-based learning

Important information to help prepare for an amazing experience!

Locations: , Saanich Peninsula, University of Victoria, City of Victoria, Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, District of Sechelt, Tetrahedron Provincial Park, Sechelt Inlet

Dates: June 27th-July 17th

Drop Off: June 27th at 3:00pm @ River Rock Casino Pick up: July 17th at 10:00am @ Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal

Emergency Contact: 604-241-9169 [email protected]

We would like to acknowledge that we are going to be traveling through the Penelakut, , Esquimalt, WSÁNÉC, Musqueam, Squamish and Sechelt . Preparing for a Successful Experience

Sparrow Brothers is a time to introduce Indigenous youth to new perspectives on outdoor learning and what it means to be an Indigenous leader. Equipped with the tools to build their leadership potential, Indigenous youth thrive when connected to the land and each other. All youth need a space and place to gain more self-confidence and become more self-propelled in life, and at this camp we hope to hold space for this to happen!

Join us for an exciting and unique experience that was created to let Indigenous youth explore their leadership potential and learn traditional ways of understanding through relationships with each other and the land. With an intention of providing Indigenous youth with a safe space for this experience it is important that they feel prepared. For some youth, this may be the first time they’ve spent several nights away from home and we hope that this welcome package will make the transition from home to Sparrow as stress free as possible for everyone.

Please take the time to read the information below so you can be as prepared as possible for your camp experience. This welcome package contains everything you need to know, but if you have any questions prior to the camp that weren’t answered in this package, please give us a call at 604-241-9169 or send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help. ACTIVITIES AND HIGHLIGHTS

Start the experience at Fireside’s “homeplace”, an oceanfront learning center on Galiano Island to hone outdoor skills, set goals and build group cohesion. Work closely with the Galiano Conservancy and participate in field studies Stay at UVIC’s residency to experience post-secondary life Explore B.C.’s capital, Victoria, including touring Royal BC Museum, Legislature Buildings, and Historic Downtown to understand the province’s unique history. Connect with nature by sleeping under the stars, unplugging from technology and exploring BC’s beautiful Provincial Parks and trails. Paddle along the majestic coastlines of Sechelt Inlet and Galiano Island. Hike and camp in breathtaking Tetrahedron Provincial Park, finishing the trip with a life-changing solo experience. Foster Positive Personal Identity and Healthy Masculinity, focusing on traditional indigenous male roles. Learn to express and grow through journal writing Learn to thrive in the outdoors by learning about traditional wayfinding and wilderness navigation, native plants and their applications, traditional cooking methods. Clarify personal values, strengthen decision-making skills and learn how to set attainable short and long-term goals. Give and share (wellness practices, solo experience, journaling, and mentoring circle). Modules on Indigenous Perspectives, Leadership, Land- based Wellness. 24/7 instruction and support from caring, experienced male mentors that will foster a safe environment and sense of belonging. Meet and learn with various local First Nations within BC. Master the basics of front and backcountry camping, bicycle maintenance, ocean canoeing, alpine hiking, wilderness navigation, and paddleboarding. Gain tools for self expression through the lens - nature photography and filmmaking. The best fresh air, water, forest and mountains on earth. See, feel, experience! TIES TO BC SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

At Fireside, youth will develop skills and knowledge following the BC Ministry of Education’s Core Competencies framework. The Sparrow Brothers course includes modules on four primary learning areas: Indigenous Perspectives, Outdoor Leadership, Environmental Stewardship, and Climate Change Education, Competencies developed include: Communication Creative Thinking Critical Thinking Positive Personal and Cultural Identity Social Responsibility.

CULTURAL CONNECTIONS AND TEACHINGS

Learn about the and Kwakwaka'wakw Nations Understand the Medicine wheel First Peoples Principles of Learning and the Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings Traditional lands and waters of First Nations The Truth and Reconciliation Act and its importance in reclamation Traditional Cooking - Salmon, Bannock and more! Indigenous songs, crafts and games such as Lahal

TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE

Actually, there is never a “typical day” at Fireside! It is our aim for the summer to be a thrilling experience for the youth, so we try and steer clear of anything that could feel too boring or typical. However, there are elements to the course that are relatively the same each day. For a more in-depth description on daily course structure, please refer trip plan below. Keep in mind all of these times can adjust, especially due to weather and paddling conditions!

FOOD

Do NOT send any food with your youth unless for dietary purposes (please alert staff if this is the case). Youth receive nutritious 3 meals a day in addition to healthy snacks. Some examples of our meals include: Vegetable medley stir-fry, buddha bowls, pancake breakfast and so much more! Youth will learn outdoor cooking skills and participate in the prep and execution of all meals as part of their training. We are able to accommodate most special diets, provided that dietary requests are made well in advance. If this information was not filled in during youth registration, please contact us at least two weeks prior to the course for us to make adjustments. LAND PICK UP AND DROP OFF

Parents and caregivers are responsible for making arrangements to meet at our designated pick up and drop off locations.

MEDICATION AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

If a youth has medication, please ensure that it is stored safely (waterproof) and is given to our staff upon arrival to the leadership course. Fireside instructors will keep track of the medication and make sure your youth is taking it when needed. It is very important you send a double dose of medications (one being a backup).

For life threatening allergies, please connect with our office ([email protected]) to go over a plan of care. Please be sure to include and issues your youth could experience while on course (i.e.; side effects of medication, susceptibility to heat stroke, sensitivity to mosquito bites, problems with anxiety and homesickness etc.). If your son/daughter regularly takes behavioural medication, we recommend that he/she continue to take the medication while on course.

SHOWERS

While on course youth will have the opportunity to use showers to wash up. We also create opportunities for the youth to take a dip in the ocean!

LAUNDRY

While on course youth will have the opportunity to do their OWN laundry at least twice along their journey. We will provide the soap and youth do the work.

TRANSPORTATION

Fireside has taken a pledge to reduce our carbon footprint. This means that while on course, youth will take public transit/shuttle service as well as self-propelled methods (hiking, paddling and walking) directly supervised by our instructors

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

Instructors and youth will be taking pictures throughout the course and sharing them with Fireside head office. We’ll compile the photos and share them in the fall with you and your family. We will also create a WhatsApp group for the course where instructors will send updates when cell service is available! SPENDING MONEY

Please have your youth come with $300.00 CAD spending money and/or a debit/credit card as there will be times to shop in Vancouver, Victoria. However spending money and youth identification will be held by Fireside instructors for safekeeping and given out when appropriate.

VISITORS

At Fireside, we keep youth leaders engaged from the time they wake up until the time they go to bed (with some built-in down time, of course)! Visits from family members and friends can be very distracting to a camper’s daily routine and overall experience of being away from home. Therefore, we ask that there are no visitors at all during summer course.

KEEPING EVERYONE SAFE AND HEALTHY!

During registration, you should have filled in important health requirements (i.e.: dietary, physical, emotional or medical) pertaining to your youth. If anything changes after the registration process, please call our office and let us know a minimum of two weeks PRIOR TO COURSE any special health requirements. This gives us enough time to update each camper’s information file.

COMMUNICATION

We understand that you might be curious of how your youth is doing while they are away. At Fireside we have a no cell phone or tablet policy during the course. This means we will be holding on to youth’s cell phones while they are with us. If for any reason you need to connect with your youth please contact Jeff Willis at [email protected]. Our instructors will also create a WhatsApp group account to send out a weekly photo and message to parents. At the beginning of the course, they will be in contact to get your contact information to have you join our Sparrow Brothers WhatsApp group. We highly recommend downloading WhatsApp in advance to familiarize yourself with the app.

ITINERARY DAY ONE (HOMEPLACE – GALIANO ISLAND, BC)

Pick up at Riverrock Casino Head to Galiano Island Ferry Arrive at Homeplace Brief Tour of homeplace and icebreakers First Night welcome song Kwagu’ł)/ceremony Lights out

DAY TWO (HOMEPLACE – GALIANO ISLAND, BC)

Early wake up Breakfast Parkour and forestry movement along with team building, Fireside teachings and bonding Lunch Biking touring Galiano Island Traditional cooking lessons (Salmon and Bannock over the fire) Youth cook and serve the traditional meal Campfire activities (storytelling, lahal, and the importance of storytelling and medicine wheel teachings) Lights out

DAY THREE (HOMEPLACE – GALIANO ISLAND, BC)

Wake up Introduction to journals Teaching Indigenous perspectives (7 sacred grandfather teachings) Pack Lunch Paddleboarding and swimming Dinner at homeplace Late-night activity Lights out

Issue 27 | 234 DAY FOUR (HOMEPLACE – GALIANO ISLAND, BC)

Wake up and breakfast Morning session # 1– Climate Change Education Module One Morning Session # 2- Building Positive Personal Identity Module- Learning about various practices that people use to help build a positive personal identity and how to support its growth Lunch Afternoon session - Renewable Energy in Action Module (led by Galiano Conservancy Association ) Evening Forest Walk- Magic Spot time Dinner by the ocean and forest 21st Century Leadership Through Indigenous Perspectives/ Governance 101 Module Surprise night activity

DAY FIVE (HOMEPLACE TO UVIC – V ICTORIA, , BC)

Wake up and breakfast & pack up lunch and gear Depart for ferry terminal and take ferry to Victoria (to Swartz Bay) Depart for the University of Victoria (UVIC) Move in to UVIC residence Tour UVIC campus and interview post secondary students Team building challenge and group planning activity Afternoon session – Indigenized All about BC Prepare for next day (full day in Victoria ) - Acknowledgment of First Nations territory - Visit the First Peoples house at UVIC Find the Various Indigenous art installations around UVIC Learning about B.C. treaties and Indigenous Land protectors

Issue 27 | 234 DAY SIX (UVIC – VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC)

Wake up and breakfast Tour Historic downtown Victoria Visit BC Legislative buildings and meet with a politician Visit Royal BC Museum Lunch (youth take themselves out for lunch) Continue tour of Victoria (bike tour ) Evening BBQ by ocean park Movie night

DAY SEVEN (VICTORIA TO

H OMEPLACE) Wake up and breakfast Depart for HomePlace from UVIC Free time at HomePlace Evening paddleboard practice

DAY EIGHT (HOMEPLACE – GALIANO ISLAND, BC)

Wake up and breakfast Morning and Afternoon Session- Expedition Preparation and Skill Building Module: Gear inspection and packing, knots, tarps, shelter building, animal awareness, meal preparation, orienteering and map reading Evening – bike tour and dinner at Montague Provincial Park

DAY NINE (HOMEPLACE – GALIANO ISLAND, BC)

Wake up, breakfast and pack up lunch Morning session - Paddleboard expedition to Wallace Island (full day ) Afternoon session – Outdoor Leadership skills Module Two Introduction to Dr. Martin Brokenleg’ s Circle of Courage Model in support of building positive personal identity Paddle back to HomePlace

Issue 27 | 234 DAY 10: HOMEPLACE TO PORPOISE BAY

Prepare for paddling

DAY 11: PORPOISE BAY TO SECHELT I NLET

DAY 12-14: SECHELT INLET

DAY 15: SECHELT / PORPOISE BAY

DAY 16: PORPOISE BAY TO TETRAHEDRON

DAY 17-18: TETRAHEDRON

DAY 19: TETRAHEDRON

Solo Experience

DAY 20: TETRAHEDRON TO SECHELT / P ORPOISE BAY

Wake up from Solo Experience Pack up gear Graduation Celebration, Lahal games (brothers vs Sisters) Lights out

DAY 21: HOME

Hometime Depart for the ferry Shuttle to YVR End of the First Annual Sparrow Brothers

Issue 27 | 234 WHAT TO BRING

See below for a complete packing list. It is important to pack the appropriate gear for an optimal experience. Allow your youth to participate in the gathering and packing of the appropriate clothing and equipment needed for their experience, as their involvement the packing process can help them feel more comfortable and confident before their departure. It is recommended to start collecting gear ASAP and not trying to pack last minute. If you have any gear questions please email or call for more information! Below are some tips to help make packing easier:

Engaging with nature and participating in outdoor activities are an integral part of the camp! Therefore, please pack clothing that can get dirty. Choose functionality over fashion. Do not bring anything to camp that you are not willing to lose – things happen!

It is not necessary to go out and buy every item; many outdoor stores have good used equipment or offer rentals. Many of the clothing items on the list can be found quite reasonably at large department stores or even at some second hand shops. We recommend going to MEC https://www.mec.ca/en/

It is important to bring a variety of layers to keep warm in the event of inclement weather. A toque (warm winter hat) may seem like a silly item, but on a rainy day or on an evening by the ocean it can be a great thing to have!

Cotton is a poor material as it stays wet and cold for a long time. Please make sure to pack some polyester or merino wool clothing. Seeing that it is lightweight and dries quickly.

Please label EVERYTHING with first and last names including luggage.

Please pack all gear in something that makes sense. Duffle Bags, and hockey bags are great. Just make sure that your youth can carry them! Do not pack your items in garbage bags.

Include a sturdy, small backpack for a potential out-trip and please remember to label your luggage as well. PACKING LIST Thank you for reading! We are so excited for your upcoming adventure. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected] or call 604.241.9169. We are looking forward to an unforgettable camp experience in 2020.

With Respect,

Fireside Staff Team Fireside Adventures PO BOX 56011 1st Avenue RPO Vancouver BC, V5L 5E2 | https://www.firesideadventures.ca | [email protected] (604) 241 9169

F I N N I S H P R O V E R B