Take a Hike is a full-time program that offers students the opportunity to improve their mental health and well-being, build healthy relationships, and fulfill academic and graduation requirements as part of a small class. Delivered in partnership between the school district and Take a Hike Youth Mental Health Foundation, the program embeds one full-time mental health clinician, weekly land-based outdoor activities and community involvement in a full-time alternate education classroom.
Purpose
- Increase youth attendance and engagement in school and community.
- Engage youth in regular mental health supports and encourage their involvement in their own mental and physical well-being.
- Improve academic success.
- Empower youth with the social and emotional resiliency they need to build healthy relationships.
Four Program Pillars:
Academics: Students can complete all courses and graduate through classroom instruction, self-paced and experiential learning, and individualized supports.
Mental Health: A mental health clinician is embedded in the program on a full-time basis and provides individual, group and family counselling, which supports students' engagement with personal growth and learning.
Land-Based Learning: Students spend one day per week, and 1-3 multi-day trips per year, outside the classroom engaged in activities like hiking, paddling and camping. Activities integrate mental health and well-being, as well as academic learning.
Community: A cohort model and small class size help students develop relationships, build community, and experience continuity and stability. Students connect to their wider communities through volunteering and other opportunities.
Features & Benefits
- Small class sizes – Maximum of 20 students.
- Dedicated full-time Staff Team – Teacher, Youth Worker, and Mental Health Clinician.
- Self-paced programming and variety of flexible learning spaces.
- Individualized program based on student needs, strengths and interests.
- Experiential learning opportunities on a weekly basis.
- Focus on student choice and input.
- Daily breakfast and lunch program.
Schedule
Take a Hike offers a full-time schedule Monday to Friday and includes:
- Morning break, Lunch break and Afternoon break.
- 4-period day which includes daily group check-ins.
- Weekly 'out-day' where students take their learning and wellness outside of the classroom.
Eligibility Criteria & Referral Procedures
- All students must fulfill Ministry of Education requirements for enrolment in an alternate education program, which often means they have struggled to find the right support to be successful in a mainstream school environment.
- The program best serves students who:
- Are willing and able to participate in all aspects of the program. This means not only land-based activities and academics, but also counselling, personal growth and well-being activities, and group activities that foster positive class culture.
- Have struggled with mental health challenges, past trauma, or family issues and who would likely experience academic success with greater support for well-being – but who are not in active crisis with no other support.
- Have parents/guardians who are willing to engage with the program, including collaboration in the creation and support of student goals.
- Are not primarily interested in an outdoor education experience: Take a Hike has a significant mental health and well-being focus.
Referrals to Take-A-Hike are initiated by a student's neighbourhood school. The program is a cohort design and has a maximum capacity. Program intake occurs twice per school year, September and February.
Having two opportunities each year to join the Take a Hike classroom is a trauma-informed practice that emphasizes the importance of creating predictability for students in the program. This allows the class and staff team to build trust in a way that does not risk safety and supports continuity of relationships. Students and staff can meaningfully prepare to welcome new students, as well as say goodbye when needed.
