"Drawing
on the strength of Indigenous culture, the wisdom of the Elders,
with a philosophy of love and respect for the Earth and all peoples
Ghost River Rediscovery aims at empowering people of all ages and
cultures to discover the natural world, the worlds between cultures
and the worlds within themselves."
WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO
Ghost River Rediscovery was founded
in 1994. For the first three years of operation, we offered summer
programs relying significantly on volunteer support. In 1997,
we moved to a year round operation, with the support of the Calgary
Foundation and the City of Calgary Family and Community Support
Services (FCSS). Ghost River Rediscovery was the first and only
Rediscovery program to become established in an urban centre,
and was the first to operate year round. We are evolving to meet
the needs of a multi-cultural population, with a specialty in
addressing, but not limited to, the needs of disadvantaged children
and youth. In 1997, Ghost River Rediscovery ran winter programs
in Calgary to provide the needed follow-up for young people who
attended the summer sessions.
Ghost
River Rediscovery has developed into an internationally recognized
organization, assisting communities worldwide to establish their
own Rediscovery programs.
Our Youth Leadership Program was established in 1998. This
program is
_
designed to develop young
leaders in the field of Cultural Outdoor Education and provide
leadership opportunities for young people.
Ghost
River Rediscovery designed and developed a School based program,
which has been adopted by several schools in Calgary. The implementation
of direct program delivery in the schools started in winter 1998.
Other school divisions and provinces are now asking us for support
their efforts in similar program development initiatives.
In 2000, Ghost River Rediscovery developed a full Safety Management
Program that meets the strictest of industry standards. Staff
are certified in wilderness first aid, Rediscovery International
training and bring years of experience in outdoor leadership.
Part of our commitment to community development has seen Ghost
River Rediscovery partner with the University of Victoria in developing
a training program for leaders and educators working with Aboriginal
youth. Ghost River Rediscovery assisted in the development of
the Aboriginal Youth and Child Care Diploma at Mount Royal College.
We started a new community initiative providing Aboriginal Awareness
training sessions that meet AASCF standards.
REDISCOVERY
INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION (RIF) AFFILIATION
Ghost River Rediscovery is affiliated with Rediscovery International.
Rediscovery was established in the Queen Charlotte Islands in 1978;
there are over 40 Rediscovery programs around the world today. Rediscovery
is a broad network of affiliated programs, each community-based,
independently administered and funded, and uniquely suited to the
local bio-region. All Rediscovery programs meet established health
and safety standards and none discriminate on the basis of race,
sex, creed or nationality. Rediscovery
International Foundation (RIF) was established in 1985 to support
the needs of the growing family of camps.
