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Cheakamus Centre Media Release: Adopt a School

October 27, 2017
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Media Release

Adopt A School

On Thursday, October 19th, the Cheakamus Foundation for Environmental Learning proudly accepted a contribution from the Squamish Community Foundation to support the Adopt-A-School initiative. This community grant will enable students from the Learning Expeditions and Cultural Journeys schools in Squamish, British Columbia, who face financial barriers, to access life-changing environmental education programs.

Cheakamus Centre is situated on the traditional territories of the Ch'iyáḵmesh people of Squamish Nation. This 420-acre ecological reserve is a dynamic, living campus that serves over 7,000 students and 8,000 visitors from throughout the Province of British Columbia each year. Participating in indigenous cultural, field and forest studies children gain a better understanding of and develop connections with the natural world.  These experiences also result in increased resiliency, self-confidence, communication, and leadership skills.

"This initiative speaks to a number of priorities at Cheakamus Centre including: the strengthening of relationships with the local community, developing partnerships with School District 48 (Sea to Sky), and most importantly expanding access to a wide range of unique educational programs. Education plays a vital role in our society to celebrate and better understand how we can move forward together; contributing to a richer, more creative and innovative country.  The programs we offer are a small, but an important way, for students to start this journey." shared Conor McMullan, Director of Educational Programs.

Braydon Gordon, Principal, Sea to Sky Learning Connections shared, "We would like to thank the Squamish Community Foundation and look forward to collaborating with Cheakamus Centre on this meaningful program, among others; that enable students to become immersed in studies related to the land, water, and creatures that inhabit our local river systems and coastal rainforest. We are excited to share highlights with the community over the coming months."

Operating since 1969, Cheakamus Centre, previously known as the North Vancouver Outdoor School, has impacted the lives of over 700,000 people during the last 48 reaching children and adults alike.

For more information about this program, Friends of Cheakamus, or other development initiatives, please contact Sarah Bainbridge, Senior Development Officer at sarah@cheakamuscentre.ca or Cathy Jenkins, Project Manager, Campus Renewal at cjenkins@sd44.ca.