Take a Hike's Response To COVID-19

Q. How are Take a Hike youth being supported during the COVID-19 pandemic?

A. Take a Hike’s priority throughout the evolving COVID-19 pandemic is the safety and well-being of our youth. In the first week of spring break our clinical counsellors reached out to all Take a Hike youth and their families to provide mental health and emotional well-being support. We also set up an online resource guide for families here with information regarding COVID-19, including physical and mental health supports.

Take a Hike is committed to continuing mental health and emotional support for all our youth and their families amidst school closures, and our clinical counsellors engaged all youth in social, emotional, and mental health and well-being supports by phone or online when school resumed on 30th March, 2020.  

The safe and caring relationships at Take a Hike and our close-knit community are key to their well-being and success. Therefore, we're making sure our youth stay connected and that we maintain a sense of community during social distancing and physical school closures.  Our youth are now in a routine of meeting weekly with their clinical counsellor for individual clinical counselling sessions, with the option for family members to also participate in family therapy sessions. Youth meet with the staff team for regular “circle,” a group check-in where staff can assess each youth’s state of emotional well-being, and provide a space for them to self-reflect and express themselves.

Academic lessons are continuing for youth online, and our teachers have adapted their curriculum to meet each youth’s needs while working from home.

We appreciate the support and strength of our community as we work together to meet the needs of our youth during this time.

Q. Will Take a Hike youth be able to graduate this year?

A. The BC Ministry of Education has assured all families that youth eligible to graduate this year, or advance to the next grade level, will still be able to do so despite school closures.

Take a Hike will follow the lead of the public school districts we partner with for implementing academic lessons online, or the eventual return to in-person classes.

The Take a Hike program helps youth develop the skills and resilience they need to navigate the challenges of life. This is one of those challenges and it’s important we continue to help our youth cultivate the skills and resilience they need to get through this tough time.

Q. What is Take a Hike doing to help prevent COVID-19 infection?

A. All Take a Hike staff stayed in Canada during the spring break to ensure the safety of our community, and all staff are all working remotely from home to minimize risk to themselves and others. Our CEO, leadership, board, and Basecamp team are supporting all staff to ensure they have the resources they need to continue their work with our youth in these exceptional circumstances.

Some program teams are preparing classrooms beginning the week of May 25th for the gradual return to in-person classes and counselling sessions for some youth. This is not compulsory, but allows the youth who need in-person support and connection most to engage with staff in a safe space. Each program will have a plan for returning to in-person learning which will be in accordance with each school district. No counselling sessions will take place in a counsellor’s office, social distancing measures will remain in place, hand sanitizer will be available at all times, and surfaces will be disinfected routinely.

Youth and families who are not comfortable returning to the classroom will continue classes and counselling sessions online.

Q. Will volunteers and practicum students be impacted by school closures?

A. The needs of each practicum student will vary depending on their academic program. As we moved our program online, in the cases where we couldn’t meet the same supervision requirements or create the same opportunities for learning and skill development as we could in the classroom, practicum students and volunteer placements were reviewed with our Program Support Manager and the student’s school supervisors. Our volunteers who are closely attached to the youth will be invited into virtual ‘circle’ and other social connection opportunities online, where possible, with the coordination of the program staff teams.

At this stage we have a full team of volunteers so we will not be hiring new volunteers before July/August 2020.

Q. How can I best support my family during the COVID-19 situation?

A.  In times of uncertainty, change, and isolation - stress and anxiety can increase. In order to support your own mental health and well-being, and those around you who may be more vulnerable to these impacts, we recommend limiting news and media intake, remembering to take breaks, and remaining connected to others through phone, Skype, or email. 

We encourage our youth and our wider community to follow provincial health advice by continuing to spend time outdoors in nature while social distancing, and taking appropriate measures to minimize health risks to yourselves and others, especially the most vulnerable. 

We’ve compiled a resource guide for families for more practical information and support.

Q. How can I support Take a Hike at this time?

A. We are so grateful for our incredible community of support.

Here are the ways you can give directly to support our youth throughout the year.

If you have any questions please contact Virginia Chomley at virginia@takeahikefoundation.org or phone 604.638.3385