The Guiding Hands Recreation Society is a non-profit organization that operates the “Tipi Camp”, a wilderness retreat center on the East Shore of Kootenay Lake. Tipi Camp has been running Wilderness Immersion for Self Esteem (WISE) programs since 1988, and is dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability within the West Kootenays. A boat and hiking access only site, Tipi Camp teaches sustainability through practice as participants sleep in tipis, eat communal vegetarian meals, use composting toilets powered by solar panels, and engage in nightly discussions lead by ecologists and First Nation’s elders on local flora, fauna, and natural history.
Visit website: http://www.tipicamp.bc.ca/
HOW A DONATION CAN HELP
Project overview:
The society will utilize the conservation award to develop Tipi Camp’s WISE programs, which provide weeklong wilderness immersion experiences for children aged 9-12 and teens aged 13-16. The award will enable further leadership training for our teen councilors, who gain valuable work experience assisting the WISE Kids programs. Furthermore, it will support Tipi Camp’s “no-barrier” policy, allowing low-income families to send their children to WISE camps through our bursary program. Lastly, the award will improve Tipi Camp’s energy efficiency by contributing towards the purchase of new solar panels to power the electric fridges and LED camp lights.
Community and environmental benefits:
The Guiding Hands Recreation Society provides environmental education to the next generation. It teaches sustainability through living sustainably at our remote wilderness site, and educates youth about environmental issues and how to take individual responsibility for conservation. The Tipi camp fosters community; it has been in operation for the past 27 years due to a dedicated body of local volunteers. It provides employment to a rural community, and cultivates a connection between youth and their local ecosystem.
When the project will start:
Tipi Camp’s season of operation runs annually from mid-June to the end of August, although the society is active year round.
1 CLASS IS SUPPORTING THIS ORGANIZATION
“We are doing a project in which students learn about, investigate, and develop solutions for water-related issues. Tipi camp is hands-on in the outdoors and connects learning to deepening our care for the planet and to building character.”
Crawford Bay Elementary-Secondary School, Grade 8
HOW SCHOOLS CAN RECEIVE $1,000 FOR THEIR OWN PROJECT
Learn about the Community Champion finalists and tell us which video inspires you to take action and start a sustainability project in your school.
We’ll list your school along with the organization you’re supporting and enter you in the chance to win a $1,000 award to get your school’s project started! School Support Form