Power To Be

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Power To Be

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Power To Be began in 1998 with an idea: help people living with a disability or barrier access nature. Thank you for supporting Power To Be!

Power To Be is a registered charity that creates access to nature for youth, families, and adults living with cognitive, physical, financial, and social barriers. The idea grew into a community, connecting participants to adventures and supporters to opportunities, collectively redefining our definition of ability. Based in Victoria and Vancouver, we are a non-profit organization that empowers people to explore their limitless abilities through inclusive adventures rooted in nature. We believe finances shouldn’t prevent anyone from accessing nature, and we work to remove cognitive, physical and social barriers to the outdoors, supporting participants to explore who they are and what they are capable of with the support of our staff, volunteers and each other. Adaptive Recreation offers inclusive adventures for people aged seven and up who live with a barrier or disability. Wilderness School offers a three-year cohort-based program for youth in Grades 8-10 who live with financial and/or social barriers. Both program streams focus on building confidence and community connections, while exploring nature. Activities in include kayaking, canoeing, camping, climbing, hiking and more through day and overnight adventures.

10/07/2026

🥰 Warm and fuzzy feelings from us to you:

💌 We continue to be overwhelmed with gratitude for the many ways our community shows up for us. Your generosity, support, and encouragement takes many forms, and they are all essential to our team, volunteers, and participants.

💚 For the past month, we've been particularly uplifted by the generosity of our growing monthly donor community, and our friends Kirsty Thomson and Jamie Gale, of CIBC Wood Gundy, who have been matching new and increased monthly donations since the start of September.

💙 We hoped to reach our $10,000 contribution-matching goal and we are nearly there, with a few days remaining until the opportunity ends on October 12th. If you have thought about becoming a monthly donor, or would like to increase your monthly contribution, your support will make three times the difference. To learn more, visit the link in our bio!

🫂 Whether you're giving a few dollars, showing up as a volunteer, or simply spreading the word about our programs, you are a part of our story, our family, and our future. It's people like you that make it all possible, and we are endlessly grateful.

10/05/2026

🎉 Big news!

💙 At the 13th Annual Open Door Group Untapped Workplace Inclusion Awards, we were honoured to win the Inclusive Culture Champion Award, in the Non-Profit Organization category.

💚 The Untapped Awards brought together employers, accessibility leaders, and community members from across BC, in honour of those creating accessible, inclusive, and equitable workplaces.

🌱 Our vision that everyone belongs in nature extends beyond the outdoors. We believe in a future where inclusion is not an accommodation but an expectation, where diversity is recognized as a strength, and where people of all abilities, cultures, identities, ages, backgrounds, and experiences can fully participate, contribute, and belong.

💙 Thank you to the Open Door Group and all who were involved in this meaningful event. We were grateful to be considered for this award and to share the space with so many other amazing people and organizations doing incredible work to advance accessibility and inclusion.

Accessible Employers

10/02/2026

🌲 Be a part of our story!

Join an incredible community of volunteers, who are helping us create nature access for everyone.

Whether you’re helping with gardening or land restoration, research and data entry, washing lifejackets, organizing our gear hub, or supporting participants during a program, there are endless ways to give back and lend your support.

Our upcoming Volunteer Info Session is the perfect opportunity to learn everything you need to know about volunteering with us on a regular basis.

🍂 Tuesday, October 6th
🌲 5:30PM - 7:30PM
🍁 4633 Prospect Lake Rd.

This event is the required first step on your volunteering journey here. You will learn about our history as an organization and the wide range of volunteering opportunities from administrative support to events and programs. You'll also have the opportunity to explore our beautiful site at Prospect Lake!

Following the info session, you will receive an invitation to submit an application through our volunteer portal on Better Impact. Those interested in volunteering on programs will be required to attend a full-day in-person training session.

🔗 Visit the link in our bio to register! Have more questions? Check out our Volunteer page on our website (also linked in our bio)

10/01/2026

💚 Today is National Seniors Day, and we're excited to invite Seniors and Older Adults (55+) in our community to Have A Go, here at Prospect Lake, on October 7th.

🌿 Geared specifically for older adults & seniors, this drop-in program includes activities like canoeing, yoga, a nature wander, and more!

🌲 We are excited to be partnering with the Capital Regional District Park Naturalist team, CrossFit LifeTree and yoga instructor Sam for this event.

🛶 We are also excited to offer a shuttle service from Saanich Commonwealth Place to the event at Prospect Lake. Please email us at [email protected] if you are interested in registering for the shuttle. Please indicate in your email which shuttle time (9:45 am or 12:00 pm) you are interested in joining, as well as any accessibility considerations, including any mobility devices to transport (such as canes, walkers, mobility chairs, etc.). Due to limited capacity, shuttle spaces will be confirmed via email.

🗓️ Event schedule:
9:45 am: Morning shuttle pickup at Saanich Commonwealth Place for registered riders
10:00 am: Event opens
10:30 – 11:30 am: Canoe
10:30 – 11:30 am: Yoga
11:30 – 12:30 pm: Nature wander with CRD
12:00 pm: Afternoon shuttle drop-off and pickup at Saanich Commonwealth Place for registered riders
12:45 – 1:45 pm: Canoe
12:45 – 1:45 pm: Yoga
2:00 pm: Event ends
2:15 pm: Shuttle drop-off at Saanich Commonwealth Place for registered riders

Note: No registration is required to attend this event, unless you are planning to join our shuttle.

🔗 To learn more about our Older Adults and Seniors Program, funded in part by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program, visit the link in our bio.

09/30/2026

Today, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, we recognize the weight of grief that this day carries for all Indigenous communities, who continue to face the devastating impact of Canada's Residential School system.

We stand in solidarity with all Indigenous communities. We honour the three language families who we are in relationship with and whose lands and waters we travel to--the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Kwakwaka'wakw Peoples.

Today and every day of the year, we give care to the lands and waters on which we live, work, and deliver programs, and honour the First Nations who have always cared for them--the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations [W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱SÍ,KEM (Tseycum), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), and MÁLEXEŁ (Malahat) First Nations], the Lək̓ʷəŋən People [Songhees and Esquimalt (Xʷsepsəm)], the T’SOU-KE and SC’IȺNEW̱ First Nations, and the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), and Tsleil-Waututh (səlilwətaɬ) First Nations.

We continue to commit ourselves to action and truth, and we uphold our shared responsibility to decolonize our perspectives, attitudes, and practices within and around us.

We remember the story of Phyllis Webstad of Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, and wear orange shirts in honour of the Survivors, their families, and the children who never returned home.

We join our community in honour of this day through learning, reflection, and action. Decolonization is a long-term commitment, and there is work to be done.

To deepen understanding, and turn learning into meaningful action, visit our Learning Resources webpage. www.powertobe.ca/truth-and-reconciliation

09/21/2026

"For the first time, I didn't feel the fear or anxiety."

💚 This summer, we witnessed kids being kids, and parents finding community, as we hosted families from Starlight Children's Foundation Canada for two overnight camping trips, here at our Prospect Lake home.

⛺ These trips brought together families from across BC, who have experienced serious childhood illnesses, to rest, connect, try new activities, and discover the freedom and joy that can come from time spent in nature.

☀️ Parents talked about the trip being a welcome break from fear, anxiety, planning, and worrying, where they could just show up exactly as they were.

💙 For many parents, one of the most meaningful parts of the experience was simply being surrounded by people who understood.

🔗 Read more at powertobe.ca/blog

09/15/2026

🫏 Throwback to a weekend at the Ranch!

💚 This past spring, a group of participants experienced an unforgettable weekend of hiking, sightseeing, creativity, and relaxation at the Cold Water Ranch Lodge, a beautiful, fully accessible lodge operated by Abilitas Foundation, providing people with a safe, inclusive space to vacation and spend time with loved ones.

💫 On the trails, by the stables, and under the stars, the group made every day count.

Read more at powertobe.ca/blog (link in bio)

09/11/2026

🌱 On Friday, August 28th, we had the honour of being invited by The Busyhead Project to be one of the charities featured in the Action Village at Noah Kahan's concert at BC Place.

🌊 Sharing space with two incredible organizations, QMUNITY the UNYA - Urban Native Youth Association, we connected with a sea of people and were deeply moved by our conversations.

🌿 We invited people to share a place in nature that brings them mental clarity, comfort, or support. Writing their answers on paper leaves, people told us about finding peace on a trail, clarity beside the ocean, and perspective under a canopy of trees.

💙 That evening, we felt the power of connection and belonging—through Noah Kahan’s music, through the openness and kindness of his fans, and through our conversations about nature and mental health.

🔗 To read more, visit powertobe.ca/blog (link in bio).

09/10/2026

❤️ Something very nice is approaching...

🌱 We are hosting two Power To Be Volunteering Days here at our home on Prospect Lake, where you can spend time in nature, with community, making a real difference.

🪏 Come get your hands dirty and support our team as we re-wild natural landscapes and maintain our accessible trail systems.

🗓️ Sunday, September 27th
🗓️ Saturday, October 17th
⏰ 9am-3pm
📍 4633 Prospect Lake Road

These events are open to anyone aged 19+. No info session required!
Head to the link in our bio to register.

We can't wait to see you!

09/07/2026

💡 Curious about Power To Be? Come for a visit!

💚 You're invited to our next Have A Go Day on Saturday, September 19th, right here at our home on Prospect Lake!

🌿 Our Have A Go Days are free, accessible, open community events where you can explore nature, make friends, and learn about Power To Be. We'll be joined by some wonderful community partners, delivering drop-in activities like:

🏕️ Play-based shelter-building workshops and nature crafts with EPIC Learning Victoria
🐾 Pet therapy with Pacific Animal Therapy Society
🏅Activities with Special Olympics Victoria - Active Start Program
🌲 Parks Canada educational table
🛶 Outdoor skills with ScoutsCymru

🗺️ Where: Our gorgeous Prospect Lake site located at 4633 Prospect Lake Road.

🕓 When: Saturday, September 19th, 2026. Drop in from 10 AM - 3 PM.

💙 Cost: Free! Donations will be accepted at the event.

🌱 Details: Everyone is welcome and no RSVPs are required. We ask that anyone under the age of 19 or who has specific support needs be accompanied by adult support. Activities are available for sign up upon your arrival and run on a rotating basis. We will run the activities rain or shine, so dress appropriately for the weather. And please bring snacks and water!

🌟 We hope to see you there!

Address

4633 Prospect Lake
Victoria, BC
V9E1J5

Telephone

+12503852363

Website

http://www.powertobe.ca/, https://linktr.ee/powertobe

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