Blue Lake Forest Education Society ~ What's New?

What's New?

Government of Canada Supports Blue Lake Forest Education Society

Federal funding of $1.2 million is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to the Blue Lake Forest Education Society. With this funding, the Blue Lake Forest Education Society will renovate several existing buildings to increase enrollment, boost year-round operations and generate local employment. The project will construct eight new log cabins, install solar power systems on six buildings, construct a lodge/training facility, add new counters and floors in the dining hall, develop wheelchair access and undertake extensive landscaping. “This project will greatly enhance the education programs that Blue Lake provides to children and youth as well as create numerous jobs and training opportunities now and for future generations. Thanks to the funding for this project, we will be able to operate as a premiere forest and environmental education centre for many years to come,” said Jody McInnes, General Manager, Blue Lake Forest Education Society.

For more information, please check the Western Economic Diversification Canada Website, or call the Blue Lake Office at 250-426-3676.

New Programs:

Leader in Training (LIT) Program

In response to the growing need for increased youth leadership and mentoring in the Columbia Basin, The Blue Lake Forest Education Society developed a Leader in Training (LIT) program which was implemented in summer 2009. The LIT program was developed and implemented as part of the Jr. Counsellor program for summer 2009, and due to the huge success will run once again in summer 2010! The LIT program will run twice during the summer, (three weeks in July, and three weeks in August) for youth aged 15-16 years old who are interested in developing their leadership skills and abilities in the camp environment, then transitioning these learned skills to their home communities. The program involves the following:

Formal leadership training and mentoring to youth involved in the LIT program at the Blue Lake Centre. Workshops and opportunities for experiential learning (within the Jr. Counsellor position) will focus on the following topics: Leadership philosophy and styles, group dynamics and support, goal setting, effective communication, teamwork, problem solving and conflict resolution, self reflection and personal growth, organizational skills, time management, crisis management, self esteem, counselling techniques (including behaviour management, bullying, role modeling, active supervision, working with different age groups, and so on), program development and implementation, outdoor living skills, environmental education, and facilitating outdoor education and recreation.
The program will provide the practical experience for youth to apply their leadership skills through the delivery of experiential education programs and mentoring to the summer campers.
Upon completition of the LIT program, the youth leaders will be provided with information to connect to outside agencies and committees where they can continue to learn as well as implement their skills to support or develop youth initiatives in their own communities, while still maintaining a strong level of support from Blue Lake.
Blue Lake will post applications on the website in ealry February.

Forestry Training Program

Blue Lake Forest Education Society, in partnership with the College of the Rockies and numerous agencies in BC's forest industry, is developing a forestry training program designed to increase the number of skilled workers in the field as well as promote careers in forestry to students and young adults. The course will ideally last between 7 and 10 days and graduates from the program will have a basic understanding of forestry and will possess the skills necessary to work in an entry or junior level position in forestry. The development of this program is in response to a growing short and long term need for skilled workers in the field and is being developed in response to this major challenge facing the forest industry. This program will also help decrease unemployment and increase employee retention on a local and regional level.