What is ECOTRIP?

• ECOTRIP is a no-cost year-long program providing youth the opportunity to receive mentorship from local police officers.
• The program includes ten pre-trip training sessions over two days, a four-day, three-night wilderness trip in partnership with Wendigo Lake Expeditions, and post-trip mentorship and opportunities,  all designed to promote leadership and personal skill development
• Mentorship, volunteering, and employment opportunities will be available to successful participants upon completion of the program

ECOTRIP Goals

• To develop leadership and life skills among youth through outdoor experiences and a year-long mentorship program
• To create positive relationships between youth, police personnel and youth workers
• To provide youth with opportunities to use their new skills as volunteers and mentors

Who Can Participate?

• The 2011-2012 intake will be selecting applicants from Vaughan and Richmond Hill
• Youth between the ages of 14 and 17, identified by police, social agencies or schools
• Youth that are able to participate physically and emotionally in a large group environment and in a wilderness setting
• Priority participants are youth between the above mentioned ages who are experiencing such challenges as negative peer interactions, anti-social behaviours or attitudes, lack of positive adult role models, violent or agressive behaviours or lack of problem solving, decision-making and conflict resolution

Pre-trip Training Sessions

• The two-day pre-trip training sessions allow the participant to acquire the skills needed to participate in all parts of the program
• Mentorship and personal skill-building sessions delivered by police officers and Wendigo Lake Expeditions staff, allow participants to learn pro-social skills from positive role models
• Wilderness training activities include tandem canoe skills, swimming assessment, leisure counselling and first-aid training
• Parents and guardians are invited to participate in certain sessions such as orientation and goal-setting

Wilderness Trip

Trip #1: August 15 - 18, 2011
Trip #2: August 22 - 25, 2011

Activities include: Canoeing, swimming, fishing, campfires, portaging, cooking, primitive firelighting and more
The wilderness trip talkes place at South River, a 3.5 hour drive north of Toronto, and is led by Wendigo Lake Expeditions.

What Happens After the Wilderness Trip?

• Participants will continue to interact with and receive mentorship from the police officers involved in the pre-trip training sessions and the trip
• Participants will be given the opportunity to speak about their experiences to their peers, schools and community groups
• Activities include presentation skills and goal-review workshops, resume writing, and possible job placement assistance through the Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI)
• Some participants may be invited back the following year to volunteer as mentors/advisors to new applicants

Contact Information

For more information on the ECOTRIP, please contact:
905-830-0303 ext. 9620
ecotrip@yrp.ca

You may also email your inquiry to ecotrip@yrp.ca. Please include your child's name, date of birth, school and grade as well as your name and contact information.