WINTER 16-17 FINAL REPORT

Vancouver Team: Emma Courtney & Kelly Uren KelownaTeam: Ashley Berte & Justin Matilionis CONTENTS

Introduction Final Numbers Highlights Goals Presentations Trailheads Events Promotion SAR Teams & Volunteers Connections Distance Traveled Social Media Contests Media Highlights Accolades VT: INTRODUCTION From Bowen Island and Deep Cove respectively, we have had the ocean & mountains as our playground & classroom. Networking with places & faces, events & schools, we were able to share our culmination of knowledge & experience with each person we encountered. Whether in an hour long presentation, a five minute conversation at an event or one minute whistle lesson & giveaway at a trailhead, we helped educate people to reduce the number & severity of Search & Rescue incidences. Sharing the AdventureSmart message of Trip Planning, Training & Taking the Essentials, we helped encourage people to Get Informed & Go Outdoors, something we value deeply ourselves. This Winter 2016-2017 Final Report details how we were able to achieve this. Total people reached : 5775 Kelly & Emma Emma and Kelly, on behalf of the men and women of CVGSAR, I'd like to thank you for you infectious enthusiasm for SAR prevention and for the time devoted so sharing the AdventureSmart messages this past weekend on Mt. Washington. I hope that we can work together again. - Paul Berry, CVGSAR President KT: INTRODUCTION

Total people reached : 5,814 across Interior and Northern BC

Justin & Ashley VT & KT FINAL NUMBERS 83 Presentations with 4259 in attendance 35 days at Trailheads or Ski Areas with 4880 interactions 11 Events with 1677 interactions & exposure to 15,000+ 10 Promotional Locations with 1075 interactions & exposure to 10,000+ 16937 Kilometres travelled 17% increase of Social Media followers 17 SAR Group Connections + individual interactions at special events 11,589 People Reached & Exposure to 25,000+ VT: HIGHLIGHTS Presentations : 32 with 1945 attendees Trailheads : 15 with 2190 interactions Events : 7 with 925 interactions & exposure to 11000 Promotional Activities : 8 with 715 interactions & exposure to 4750 Total Individuals Reached : 5775 SAR Group Connections : 10 plus individual team members at events Social Media: Increased Followers by 17%

Thanks for the great Survive Outside seminar on Monday. It's inspired me to take a wilderness first aid course! - Alan Bardsley KT: HIGHLIGHTS

Presentations : 51 with 2,314 participants Ski Hill Visits: 20 with 2,690 interactions Events : 4 with 752 interactions Promotional Activities : 2 with 360 interactions & exposure to 1000s Total Individuals Reached : 5,814 SAR Group Connections : 7 Social Media : 870 Follower Increase VT: GOALS Goals Achievements Grow presentation attendance Through designing and implementing two presentations open to the public at Capilano University, we were able to fill up both events. As for events held elsewhere in the community, we most often found it effective to leave it in the hands of whomever was hosting the event. Expand the reach of We have grown our list of contacts through networking at trailheads and events. AdventureSmart through Specifically, the Outdoor Adventure Show in early March was a phenomenal networking at locations networking opportunity. Directly impact over 7,000 We found this goal to be beyond our reach for a number of reasons. For example, we individuals at events or had a number of very snowy days, deterring people from traveling to a free event and presentations putting themselves at risk. However, we are satisfied with the quality of interactions , over the quantity. Create stronger connections We have connected with a multitude of SAR members and groups, as well as other with local SAR groups at events volunteer first responders. Events such as the SARVAC Conference and social run-ins or presentations allowed us to build relationships with the SAR community. KT: GOALS Goals Achievements Increase outreach through weekend Reached 9 different ski hills on 20 different visits throughout our winter booths set up at busy BC ski hills. season. Expand the reach of AdventureSmart We have increased our number of followers by 870 on all social media through networking and social media platforms and gained new contacts around the province for future outreach outlets. opportunities. Spread our message to as many We filled our schedule with as many presentations and events as possible to individuals as possible at events and reach the maximum amount of people that our time would allow during our presentations throughout the province. winter contract.

Create stronger connections with local Teamed up with Rossland and district local SAR groups for SAR groups throughout interior BC at Awareness Days: Red Mountain. Took part in Vernon Winter Carnival Parade different events or presentations. alongside Vernon SAR.

Branch out to parts of northern B.C. Completed a northern BC road trip reaching 4 major communities and offering presentations and outreach to making connections to return again to reach even more in the future. communities that are out of the immediate AdventureSmart region. VT: PRESENTATIONS 32 Presentations with 1945 People Reached 10 HATAS with 609 Students 16 Survive Outside with 1067 Attendees 6 Snow Safety with 269 Attendees

VT: PRESENTATIONS Survive Outside at the North Shore Survive Outside at North Saanich Survive Outside with Girl Guides, North Chinese Community, West Vancouver Middle School, North Saanich Vancouver (January 9th, 2017) (November 24th, 2016) (December 9th, 2016) Total Numbers: 18 Youth, 5 Adults Total Numbers: 53 Adults Total Numbers: 120 Youth, 6 Adults Survive Outside at Cumberland Survive Outside at Impark Office, Survive Outside at Belmont Secondary Community School, Cumberland Vancouver (November 25th, 2016) School, Langford (December 9th, 2016) (January 12th, 2017) Total Numbers: 15 Adults Total Numbers: 14 Youth, 2 Adults Total Numbers: 75 Youth, 2 Adults

Survive Outside at Windsor High Snow Safety Education at Eastview Hug-A-Tree and Survive at Cumberland School, North Vancouver (November Elementary School, North Vancouver Community School, Cumberland 28th, 2016) (December 12th, 2016) (January 13th, 2017) Total Numbers: 16 Youths, 2 Adults Total Numbers: 120 Youth, 6 Adults Total Numbers 40 Youth, 5 Adults

Survive Outside at Braemar Hug-A-Tree and Survive at Blueridge Survive Outside & PaddleSmart at Elementary School, North Vancouver Elementary, North Vancouver George P. Vanier High School, Courtenay (December 5th, 2016) (December 15th, 2016) (January 13th, 2017) Total Numbers: 150 Youths, 6 Adults Total Numbers: 180 Youth, 8 Adults Total Numbers: 35 Youth, 5 Adults

Survive Outside & Snow Safety at Survive Outside at Blueridge Survive Outside at the Royal Canadian UVIC Outdoors Club, Victoria Elementary, North Vancouver Air Cadets, Kitsilano (January 16th, 2017) (December 8th, 2016) (December 15th, 2016) Total Numbers: 150 Youth, 20 Adults Total Numbers: 45 Adults Total Numbers: 200 Youth, 8 Adults VT: PRESENTATIONS Snow Safety Education with the Survive Outside with Public by Hug-A-Tree and Survive with Hand-in- Rosedale Scouts, Manning Park Registration, Capilano University Hand Early Years Nature Education, (January 28th, 2017) (February 6th, 2017) Comox (February 27th, 2017) Total Numbers: 9 Youth, 6 Adults Total Numbers: 15 Adults Total Numbers: 13 Youth, 3 Adults

Snow Safety Education with Manning Survive Outside with the Sunshine Hug-A-Tree and Survive with Cove Park Resort Users, Manning Park Coast Mushroom Society, Davis Bay Cliff Elementary, Deep Cove (March (January 29th, 2017) (February 18th, 2017) 2nd, 2017) Total Numbers: 15 Youth, 10 Adults Total Numbers: 15 Adults Total Numbers: 43 Youth, 3 Adults

Snow Safety Education with the Survive Outside with Public by Hug-A-Tree and Survive with Cove Burnaby Girl Guides, Burnaby Registration, Capilano University Cliff Elementary, Deep Cove (March (January 30th, 2017) (February 20th, 2017) 2nd, 2017) Total Numbers: 27 Youth, 4 Adults Total Numbers: 2 Youth, 88 Adults Total Numbers: 38 Youth, 6 Adults

Snow Safety Education with Survive Outside with Movement 108 Hug-A-Tree and Survive with Cove Hollyburn Elementary School, West Hiking Group, Kitsilano (February Cliff Elementary, Deep Cove (March Vancouver (January 30th, 2017) 27th, 2017) 3rd, 2017) Total Numbers: 60 Youth, 4 Adults Total Numbers: 20 Adults Total Numbers: 46 Youth, 2 Adults

Survive Outside & Snow Safety at Hug-A-Tree and Survive with Hand-in- Agassiz Recreation Centre (February Hand Early Years Nature Education, 4th, 2017) Total Numbers: 3 Youth, 5 Cumberland (February 27th, 2017) Adults Total Numbers: 17 Youth, 3 Adults VT: PRESENTATIONS Hug-A-Tree and Survive with Cove Cliff Elementary, Deep Cove (March 3rd, 2017) Total Numbers: 46 Youth, 2 Adults

Hug-A-Tree and Survive with Cove Cliff Elementary, Deep Cove (March 6th, 2017) Total Numbers: 58 Youth, 3 Adults

Hug-A-Tree and Survive with Cove Cliff Elementary, Deep Cove (March 6th, 2017) Total Numbers: 90 Youth, 3 Adults The presentation was great! The presenters were knowledgeable and engaging. - Anonymous Survey Response I wish I had taken the Survive Outside course before yesterday. - SAR Subject rescued the previous day, who attended a Capilano U presentation. KT: PRESENTATIONS Hug-A-Tree & Survive: 21 presentations, 970 participants Survive Outside: 24 presentations, 1,024 participants Snow Safety Education: 6 presentations, 314 participants Locations: , Big White, Penticton, Vernon, Peachland, Summerland, Naramata, Winlaw, Rossland, Prince George, Smithers, Terrace, Kitimat Total Number of Participants: 2,314

KT: PRESENTATIONS

Survive Outside at Princess Margaret Secondary School, Penticton, BC (December 5th, 2016) Total Numbers: 1 Adult, 25 Youths Survive Outside at Naramata Elementary School, Naramata, BC (December 12th, 2016) Total Numbers: 1 Adult, 35 Youths Hug-A-Tree & Survive x 2 at Winlaw Elementary School, Winlaw, BC (December 16th, 2016) Total Numbers: 5 Adults, 40 Youths Snow Safety Education at Winlaw Elementary School, Winlaw, BC (December 16th, 2016) Total Numbers: 2 Adults, 35 Youths Snow Safety Education at Kelowna Christian School, Kelowna, BC (January 5th, 2017) Total Numbers: 4 Adults, 100 Youths Survive Outside at Peachland Elementary School, Peachland, BC (January 5th, 2017) Total Numbers: 2 Adults, 50 Youths KT: PRESENTATIONS

Hug-A-Tree & Survive x 2 at Bankhead Elementary School, Kelowna, BC (January 6th, 2017) Total Numbers: 3 Adults, 72 Youths Snow Safety Education at Bankhead Elementary School, Kelowna, BC (January 6th, 2017) Total Numbers: 2 Adults, 60 Youths Hug-A-Tree & Survive x 2 at Giants Head Elementary, Summerland BC (January 9th, 2017) Total Numbers: 7 Adults, 108 Youth Survive Outside x 2 at Giants Head Elementary, Summerland BC (January 9th, 2017) Total Numbers: 6 Adults, 100 Youth Survive Outside at Red Mountain Resort, Rossland BC (January 12th, 2017) Total Numbers: 12 Adults, 60 Youth Hug-A-Tree & Survive x 2 at Bankhead Elementary School, Kelowna, BC (January 19th, 2017) Total Numbers: 7 adults, 92 Youth KT: PRESENTATIONS

Snow Safety Education at Bankhead Elementary School, Kelowna, BC (January 19th, 2017) Total Numbers: 4 Adults, 55 Youth Survive Outside x 2 at Belgo Elementary School, Kelowna, BC (January 20th, 2017) Total Numbers: 4 Adults, 99 Youth Survive Outside at Big White Community School, Big White, BC (January 23rd, 2017) Total Numbers: 2 Adults, 25 Youth Snow Safety Education with Arrowleaf Academics, Kelowna, BC (January 26th, 2017) Total Numbers: 2 Adults, 25 Youth Snow Safety Education at Naramata Elementary School, Naramata, BC (January 27th, 2017) Total Numbers: 1 Adult, 22 Youth Survive Outside at Giant’s Head Elementary School, Summerland, BC (January 30th, 2017) Total Numbers: 3 Adults, 56 Youth KT: PRESENTATIONS

Hug-A-Tree & Survive x 3 at Giant’s Head Elementary School, Summerland, BC (January 30th, 2017) Total Numbers: 9 Adults, 113 Youth Survive Outside x 6 at Harwood Elementary School, Vernon, BC (February 2nd-3rd, 2017) Total Numbers: 9 Adults, 173 Youth Hug-A-Tree & Survive x 2 at South Rutland Elementary School, Kelowna, BC (February 9th, 2017) Total Numbers: 4 Adults, 43 Youth Survive Outside at South Rutland Elementary School, Kelowna, BC (February 9th, 2017) Total Numbers: 1 Adult, 25 Youth Survive Outside at Westwood Elementary School, Prince George, BC (February 16th, 2017) Total Numbers: 2 Adult, 26 Youth KT: PRESENTATIONS

Survive Outside x 2 at Muheim Memorial Elementary School, Smithers, BC (February 17, 2017) Total Numbers: 6 Adults, 155 Youth Hug-A-Tree & Survive x 2 at Muheim Memorial Elementary School, Smithers, BC (February 17, 2017) Total Numbers: 6 Adults, 150 Youth Survive Outside at Suwilaawks Community School, Terrace, BC (February 20th, 2017) Total Numbers: 4 Adults, 58 Youth Hug-A-Tree & Survive at Kildala Elementary School, Kitimat, BC (February 20th, 2017) Total Numbers: 3 Adults, 90 Youth Survive Outside at Kildala Elementary School, Kitimat, BC (February 20th, 2017) Total Numbers: 5 Adults, 75 Youth KT: PRESENTATIONS

Survive Outside at Hoodoo Adventures, Penticton, BC (February 27th, 2017) Total Numbers: 8 Adults Hug-A-Tree & Survive x 3 at Uplands Elementary School, Penticton, BC (March 2nd, 2017) Total Numbers: 10 Adults, 155 Hug-A-Tree & Survive x 2 at Rutland Elementary School, Kelowna, BC (March 3rd, 2017) Total Numbers: 7 Adults, 48 Youth VT: TRAILHEADS 15 Trailheads & 2190 Individuals Reached Including cross country and downhill ski resorts and areas, BC and Regional Park Trailheads and Gondolas

VT: TRAILHEADS Lynn Headwaters BC Parks Access Manning Park , (November 26th, 2016) (Dec 17th, 2016) Manning Park (January 28th, Numbers: 30 People Numbers: 190 People 2017) Numbers: 15 Youth, 60 Adults Lynn Headwaters Sea to Sky Gondola (November 27th, 2016) (December 23rd, 2016) Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish Numbers: 60 People Numbers: 50 People (February 12th, 2017) Numbers: 75 Youth, 125 Adults Mount Seymour BC Parks Access Sea to Sky Gondola th th Dakota Ridge, Sunshine Coast (Dec 4 , 2016) (December 29 , 2016) th Numbers: 250 People Numbers: 200 People (February 19 , 2017) Numbers: 20 Youth, 40 Adults East Saanich Trailhead Mount Seymour BC Parks Access (December 10th, 2016) January 7th, 2017) Numbers: 35 People Numbers: 290 People

Cypress Provincial Park, Hollyburn Access Cypress Provincial Park, Hollyburn Access (December 16th, 2016) January 8th, 2017) Numbers: 130 People Numbers: 250 People

Mount Seymour BC Parks Access Mount Washington Ski Resort (December 17th, 2016) (January 14th & 15th 2017) Numbers: 220 People Numbers: 250 People KT: SKI HILLS Ski Hills Visited: Big White, Kicking Horse, Whitewater, Sun Peaks, Revelstoke, Red Mountain, Silver Star, Apex Mountain, Total Number of Interactions: 2,690

KT: SKI HILLS (Dec. 3-4th, 2016) Numbers: 69 Adults, 45 Youths Kicking Horse Ski Resort (Dec. 9-10th, 2016) Numbers: 120 Adults, 75 Youths (Dec. 17-18th, 2016) Numbers: 160 Adults, 165 Youths Sun Peaks Ski Resort (Dec. 30-31st, 2016) Numbers: 110 Adults, 130 Youths Revelstoke Mountain Resort (Jan. 7-8th, 2017) Numbers: 198 Adults, 140 Youths Red Mountain Resort (Jan. 14-15th, 2017) Numbers: 174 Adults, 134 Youths KT: SKI HILLS Silver Star Mountain Resort (Jan. 21-22nd, 2017) Numbers: 135 Adults, 190 Youth Red Mountain Resort (Jan. 28th, 2017) Numbers: 92 Adults, 106 Youth Apex Mountain Ski Resort (Feb. 11-12th, 2017) Numbers: 95 Adults, 125 Youth Hudson Bay Mountain (Feb. 18th, 2017) Numbers: 25 Adults, 60 Youth Whitewater Ski Resort (Feb. 25-26th, 2017) Numbers: 150 Adults, 190 Youth VT: EVENTS 7 Events with 925 Individuals Reached Exposure to approximately 11,000

VT: EVENTS

Banff Mountain Film Fest – Best of the Fest Centennial Theatre, North Vancouver (December 12th, 2016) Numbers: 90 People (Exposure to 650)

Banff Mountain Film Fest – Best of the Fest, The Centre Theatre, Vancouver (December 13th, 2016) Numbers: 160 People (Exposure to 1200)

Capilano University Rail Jam (January 26, 2017) Numbers: 25 Adults (Exposure to est. 200)

Avalanche Awareness Days at (January 21st and 22nd, 2017) Numbers: 80 Youth, 420 Adults (Exposure to est. 5000)

Avalanche Awareness Days at Mount Washington (February 25th and 26th, 2017) Numbers: 30 Youth, 120 Adults (Exposure to est. 2000)

Family Day at (February 13th, 2017) Numbers: 100 Youth, 150 Adults (Exposure to est 2000) KT: EVENTS

Vernon Snow Show (November 25-26th, 2016) Numbers: 96 Adults, 70 Youths West Kelowna Light Up Event (December 2nd, 2016) Numbers: 35 Adults, 35 Youths Rossland Winter Carnival (January 28-29th, 2017) Numbers: 150 Adults, 66 Youth Vernon Winter Carnival Parade (February 4th, 2017) Numbers: 125 Adults, 175 Youth

Total Numbers: 752 Interactions

VT: PROMOTION 8 Events with 715 Reached Exposure to approximately 4750

Squamish Adventure Center (December 22nd, 2016) Numbers: 15 People (Exposure to 50)

BC Ferries Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo Sailings (December 28th, 2016) Numbers: 100 People (Exposure to 700)

MEC North Vancouver Location (January 6th, 2017) Numbers: 60 People (Exposure to 300)

International Boat Show (January 19th & 20th 2017) Numbers: 10Youth, 40 Adults (Exposure to est. 1000)

BC Ferries, Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (February 3rd, 2017) Numbers: 20 Youth, 45 Adults (Exposure to est. 700)

Outdoor Adventure Show (March 4th & 5th 2017) Numbers: 90 Youth, 335 Adults (Exposure to est. 2000) This is the best booth here! - Someone appreciated we were providing free SAR prevention information at the Outdoor Adventure Show KT: PROMOTION

Retail Outreach at Mountain Equipment Co-op, Kelowna (November 27th, 2017) Numbers: 35 Adults, 35 Youth SAR GROUPS & VOLUNTEERS Vancouver Team Connected with:

Campbell River SAR

Chilliwack SAR

Comox Valley GSAR

Juan De Fuca SAR

Kent Harrison SAR

Lions Bay SAR

Nanaimo SAR

North Shore Rescue

Squamish SAR

Sunshine Coast SAR

SARVAC BC Workshop Attendees

Rope Technician Training Attendees-Squamish

Whistler & Mt Washington Volunteer Patrol and Avalanche Educators

Sooke Volunteer Fire Department

SAR GROUPS & VOLUNTEERS

Kelowna Team met with: Vernon SAR, Penticton SAR, Nelson SAR, Rossland & District SAR, Kitimat SAR, Prince George SAR, Terrace SAR

VT: CONNECTIONS

BC Ferries Sunshine Kayaks

Mount Seymour Resort Capilano University Outdoor Recreation Management UVIC Outdoors Club Hand-In-Hand Early Years Education North Shore Chinese Community Manning Park Resort Squamish Adventure Center Outdoor Adventure Show Banff Mountain Film Festival Organizers Vancouver International Boat Show Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival Mount Waddington

Mount Washington Ski Patrol West Mountain School

Whistler Ski Patrol Mountain Skills Academy

Movement 108 Gym Survival in Canada

Agassiz Recreation Center Rent Outdoors

Sunshine Coast Mushroom Society Port Moody Ecology Center

Sunshine Coast Parks and Recreations Travel.gc.ca

…and many more Connecting with Naomi Yamamoto, the MLA for Emergency Management BC, Canadian Tire, the outdoor community and MouseSki were valuable AdventureSmart links. KT: CONNECTIONS Vernon SAR/AS Presenter: Coralie Nairn Nelson SAR AS Representative: Lindsay Eastwood Revelstoke SAR Representative: Giles Shearing Kicking Horse Resort Mountain Manager: Kyle Hale Big White Ski Patrol: Chris Hawruluiq Giants Head Elementary School: Collette Shanner (Grade 3 teacher) Hoodoo Adventures: Mike Hill Kitimat SAR: Mike Stekelenburg Red Mountain Resort: Ryan KT: CONNECTIONS The following is a running spreadsheet of contacts that we have made over previous season as well as the current season: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KZQHGGCNxFBLodEdpRpALvZ CbElftRAsFPquA_nhcss/edit?usp=sharing VT: DISTANCE TRAVELED Total Kilometres Traveled : 5372 North Shore Sunshine Coast Squamish Manning Park Whistler Kent / Agassiz Comox Valley Chilliwack Victoria Vancouver Sooke

Fun Fact: We traveled less than one kilometre per person we interacted with this winter. KT: DISTANCE TRAVELED Total Kilometres traveled : 11,565 through Okanagan, & Northern BC

SOCIAL MEDIA Between the Vancouver Team, Kelowna Team and the BC Coordinator, and on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram we have been active daily on each platform. Our posts include Tip of the Week, Trailhead Reports, notice of where teams will be located for events and trailheads, reposts and contests. #AdventureSmart SOCIAL MEDIA Platform November 2016 March 2017 Twitter 390 577 Instagram 253 552 BCSARA Facebook 3839 4251 SOCIAL MEDIA SOCIAL MEDIA CONTESTS 1. Avalanche Skills Training on Social Media 2.Avalanche Awareness Days @ Whistler Blackcomb 3. Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show on Social Media MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS Although the Vancouver Team had few encounters with media, it was not for lack of trying. We wrote many media releases for our trailhead presence and special events. One highlight was when Global TV filmed our Survive Outside presentation at Capilano University. We also connected with news sources through social media. Below are some links and highlights to the BC Coordinator’s interviews on radio. She reached all twelve SAR Regions in the province this winter season. MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS http://www.mycowichanvalleynow.com/16867/skating-thin-ice/ https://soundcloud.com/whistlerfm/sandra-riches-adventuresmart-bc- tuesday-takeover http://www.iheartradio.ca/ez-rock/ez-rock-kootenays/adventure-smart- out-with-reminders-for-backcountry-users-1.2255400 ACCOLADES A big thanks to both Kelly and Emma for the exceptional job performed while visiting Mount Washington. I had the pleasure of spending time both on the hill and at the booth, the team was very approachable and provided a valuable educational service to our guest. Your messaging and energy was amazing, and ensured folks are utilizing the back-country responsibly. Thanks again. - Jesse Percival, Patrol Director

Great job! Great resource and I look forward to having you come to talk at an upcoming presentation at SKABC.org if you are available. Thank you! - Anonymous Survey Response

Video was eye-opening! Good visuals of essentials on table. Nice touch with the prepared packages with whistles and brochures - Anonymous Survey Response

Excellent presenters and materials - intelligent, engaging, slogans easy to remember. (Q&A dragged on but that’s always difficult to manage.) Brilliant session & have already suggested it to my hiking crew - thank you so much! - Anonymous Survey Response ACCOLADES To the AdventureSmart teams of BC I realize that this Wednesday March 8th is your wrap up day, and I gotta say... WHAT A DIFFERENCE YOU HAVE MADE. !!!!!! THANK YOU.....the SAR experience is truly unique and this will stay with you your entire life.. may even change you a bit.. (in a good way) I had the true pleasure of meeting 3/4 of you, Justin, Wes fill in nicely for you in your absence up North. Also I need to mention that your enthusiasm and energy along with your constant professionalism and passion for AdventureSmart was always present. From the Northern perspective, to have you travel up and connect with the teams and communities brought AS to another level for the Northern teams.. It was noticed and very much appreciated.. While the population base may be lighter than the rest of the province... we truly appreciate the effort made to bring you up, and hopefully you found the hospitality acceptable...:) we look forward to see the teams back up next year. Vancouver team... Your energy was intoxicating.. The random drop in on the rope instructors weekend in Squamish, was something the old, guys will talk about for years... you managed to get a bunch of "rope geeks" myself included at a rope weekend to talk about AdventureSmart .. when rope is their passion...WELL DONE.. keep up the good work on the North Shore Mountains and the whistler/Squamish area... your messaging there really does make a difference.. Sandra.. thank you for Leading the Charge.. The reason AS is so strong (I feel) in BC and a shining example across Canada is because of your passion and Dedication to this messaging.... we would not be here without your drive.. Thank you And Jim... none of this you have even started if not for your vision and constant encouragement... Thank you for what you do, quietly behind the scenes. Thank you all -Trent Blair VT: CONCLUSION

Thanks to the 5775 encounters for enriching us as much as we did them with the message of Trip Planning, Training and Taking the Essentials. VT: CONCLUSION Beginning four wintery months ago as the AdventureSmart Vancouver Team held promise of exploring the unknown, so it was appropriate that our message to the public included Trip Planning, Training and Taking the Essentials. As we dove into events, trailhead presence, presentations and connecting with the community in the Sea to Sky, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island, we quickly realized that we are all connected in our quest to be in the great outdoors. Not only did we educate people who had 30 seconds or 60 minutes to spend with us, we were also enriched by these encounters. Speaking with people from all walks of life, cultures, outdoor interests, ages, risk tolerance levels and economic levels brought communities together with the same mission and values: to be responsible, to be safe, to enjoy our outdoor playground and to help each other. We learned as much as we taught, not only from the SAR volunteers, but from the public, students and teachers. Not only did we enrich people’s understanding of the risks associated with traveling in the outdoors, we gave them tangible tools to explore with our main message of Trip Planning, Training and Taking the Essentials. We encouraged people, young and old, to keep learning and exploring, and push their personal limits at a responsible pace. Thanks to the 5775 encounters for this experience, and for sharing what they’ve learned with their loved ones. KT: CONCLUSION We had an amazing Winter 2016/2017 Season, reaching 5,814 individuals and spreading the AdventureSmart message across the province. We have also increased our social media presence and number of followers. We have made a number of connections that will aid future teams in reaching out to the public and helping to reduce the number and severity of Search and Rescue incidents. Bring on Summer 2017!