July 27 2010 » News Clippings » Terrace Standard
Youth Take it to the Water
LOCAL YOUTH hit the calm waters of Lakelse Lake last week to practice flipping a raft and learning techniques to pull themselves out from the water and back onto the safety of the raft. This is an essential ability to learn before they take a raft down a river with faster flowing water.
BEING able to confidently guide a raft down swift white water is just one of the accomplishments youth will walk away with from a unique new program here.
The name is Youth On the Water (YOW) and it encourages youth to get outdoors and to learn about the watershed they live in.
Right now eight local youth are in their second week of the program, learning things like how to be a river raft guide, rope ties and swift water rescue.
The program started on July 19 and has had participants progress from working in Lakelse Lake, to taking on rapids in the Copper River. This Monday they were also treated to a visit from Ali Howard, who swam the entire length of the Skeena River last summer to raise awareness about industrial threats to the watershed.
The program is in its second year, first taking place last summer in the Hazeltons. It was developed by Chris Gee with the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition, with a goal of connection youth to the water.
Check in next week for more on YOW.
