Off Grid Kids creates connections

By Brandie Majeau

Redwater HYPE, in collaboration with Fearless in the Forest, is proud to present

a unique summer opportunity for local youth-the Off Grid Kids program. This initiative is

not just about outdoor exploration but also about instilling a deep appreciation for the

natural world. With the right gear and a lot of excitement, the kids set out on Tuesday

mornings for a journey of discovery, both within their community and beyond, fostering a

sense of unity and belonging.

Off Grid Kids offers an incredible opportunity for local youth to develop practical

survival skills, navigate through challenging hikes, and engage in critical thinking

exercises. This comprehensive program is designed to foster resilience. It takes

participants on expeditions through neighboring communities, allowing them to interact

with diverse ecosystems and gain a deeper understanding of environmental

conservation. The program not only benefits the participants but also contributes to the

community by fostering a generation of environmentally conscious individuals. Off Grid

Kids strives to reintroduce children to the grounding and peaceful connection that nature

provides, encouraging them to even participate in the sensory and tactile experience of

embracing and connecting with trees firsthand.

This summer has been an incredibly eventful time filled with enriching activities

centered around environmental education, canoeing, archery, and various outdoor

games. The children have truly been pushed out of their comfort zones. Still, in doing

so, they have found themselves uplifted and encouraged while embarking on a journey

through nature as well as a journey of personal discovery. Off Grid Kids, organized by

Redwater HYPE, has proven to be an impressively challenging program that has

prompted profound growth in all participants. HYPE has courageously taken youth

participants outside, rain or shine, to locations where they have little control over the

elements. Traveling by bus to these remote spots is far from the comforts of home, and

they are often without much shelter. Each session lasts for 2 hours and the knowledgeable and supportive facilitators ensure the safety of participants, allowing them to embrace discomfort as a means of constant learning and growth.