Dutdea Camp entrenches trust, cooperation in students By Julie Crawford Contributing Writer THINK of it as boot camp for your soul but better, says Chris Moore, director of Pacific Adventure Learning (PAL). Thar’s because the actisttics he offers give participants “challenge by choice.” Moore presents his groups with demanding outdoor activities thar teach communicates, cooperation and trust, bur it is bis chests who decide how tar they want tog The Deep Cave resident, inspired by a protes- sor during his therapeutic reercation: studies at Brock University, ew a need for more outdoor education programs in B.C. “Eeame out here about seven vears ago atc time where T thought there'd be alot of outdoor education programs” said) Moore. Vhere werent” . The province has a wealth of outdoor reere- ation programs, but is lacking in counselling and therapeutic approaches unlizing the outdoors. The activities, as well as the outdoor setting, wet people into unfamiliar situations to test skills they might nor have known they iad. Bat betore a group can head tor che hills they need some prep work to be sure they can work together as a unit. “Onee they vet toe a place where thev're lis- tening ta one another, they're respecting one another, thev’re coming out with ideas thar usu- ally wanslate to a higher sense of self” he said. When the group members have built up their confidence, they're ready for the physical chal- lenges that the outdoors: offer: rock climbing, repelling, hiking, and kayaking. The successful completion of the task is not the point, stresses Moore. Rather, it is the process. “There’s a goal to shoor for but the learning comes from the path that’s followed ta. get there,” he said. For one member of the group that tirst step up the rock face fs as significant as another's stride ia the top. It’s all about choice. Moore, the northwest region chairman of the Association for Experiential, Education, has taught adventure-based learning to groups rang: ing from corporate executives and school snidents to victims of domestic violence and people strug: ging with substance abuse. For corporate, non- profit organizations teamwork and effective com munication in the workplace are highlighted. For them, high-challenge courses — more abundant in the U.S. and eastern Canada -— are often used. Locally, there are challenge coures on Bowen Island and ar the Belearra Outdoor Centre. Some of the activities, such as swinging on 3 trapeze and: walking ona tightrope high above the ground, resemble circus acts. Can evervone do ther “Sure they can,” Moore insists, DOES every one do them? “No, and that’s fine. For some groups the or Skil nerth shore news BUSINESS Wednesday. February 25. 1998 — North Shore News -- #7 for the urban jungle “7 nnn nn rr ner rn pe ne cen ee PACIFIC Adventure Learning director Chris Moore (above) holds up son and future adventurer Liam at his Deep Cove home. At right, a team participating in one of Moore’s adventure-based learn- ing programs inches along with Land Skis, which teach teamwork, communi- cation and patience. ability to say no far exceeds the ability tu say ves.” PAL customized an experiential outdoor cdu- cation program fora Vancouver private school. Moore recently took a group of Grade 11 sta- dents on a four-day hike to the Randy Stoltman wilderness areca and: asked a member or the Squamish Nation to explain the cultural and his torical signiticance of the land. Next month, he takes Grade 12 students ona development project in Costa Rica. The methods used by Moore are equally applicable ina classroom as they are in the out- doors, and the parallels to the real world: are Strona: risk-taking, pushing one’s limits, coopera tion, and overcoming obstacles. For more information, contact Chris Moorg at 924 3870 or at camoore@dircet.ca. — See pages 20 and 21 far more business cov- ernuye. Photo Chris Moore BRIEFS SUMARAH CHOW NORTH Vancouver's Westel Telecommunications Ltd. has launched WestPage, a new pag- ing service. Full paging service pack ages cost, $10.95 per month with special rates for Westel long distance customers. “Adding paging ro the Westel suite of services is just the latest step in’ delivering the power of one stop shop ping to our customers,” sand Wayne Sumarab, Westel’s vice president of marketing. Th addition ta) providing Jong distance services, Westel alo spectalizes tn teleconter cng. pre paid: phone cards and a range of networking and Taternet access services. Westel Telecomminni cations, formerly BC Rail Velecommunications, is a wholly owned subsidiary af the BCR Group of Companies. Council Brit Columbia is currently seeking HOt nations of indisidials or small teams BLACK HUGHES for the BC Science and Yechnology Awards. “BC. is home to sone world class scientists, engi neers, dustrial cnnovators and science communicators and itis important te recoy Nize their signiticant accom plishments,” said Suezone Chow, chairman oof the Science Council. The awards are divided Inte nine cuegorics with up tosiy awards being present cd cach vear. The deadline for [99S Nominations is Tuesday, March 3b with awards being presented on Oer. 22 at the Hvate Resenes Vancouver. bor more informanon call the ceuned’s communis tions and marketing depart ment ar 438 2752, eee EPC Pavestinents Ine. the securities dealer arm ol Solgturd Franeial Lid. has reached an agreement te merge with Assamte Capital Management Ine, “This merger will provide Us with access ta a ereater range at sophisticated iInvestinent Management planning, tools and enable as to offer our clients Assante’s exclusive fine of wealth man- agement products and ser vices.” said Teresa Black Hughes, manager of Solguard’s West) Vancouver offtec. Assante has S72 bilben in assets under adniinistration with mare chan 1.000 advis ers tnd emplovees POTOSS Canada, ard bingnentt wall continue to OPC’ under its name with ne oniatenal changes ay a result: oF the merger, — Robert Galstes North Shore btstiess atoape and cadivudunis whe tay te osubange tents ta Bastarss Bricts cau fax them te the attention af Ratwrt Galtier at SSS-2 104, wr send thein Vea comatd 70 rabert@usucws. cou,