WHAT is it?
   Catching the Spirit 2007 is an environmental stewardship project designed and run by youth (aged 12 to 20) under adult supervision.

WHO is invited to take part?
   Students in secondary schools in Greater Vancouver and young people in organizations that have outdoor interests such as scouting and guiding. Partnerships are established with environmental programs and clubs in schools.

WHERE do youth volunteer?
   Catching the Spirit is in its sixth year at Pacific Spirit Regional Park in Vancouver and in its third season at Tynehead Regional Park in Surrey and Kanaka Creek Regional Park in Maple Ridge. New programs at Burnaby Lake Regional Park, Boundary Bay Regional Park and Derby Reach Regional Park will be added this year. Our vision is to create similar youth projects in 15 parks throughout the GVRD.

HOW will the parks benefit from this project?
   The most obvious benefits are an enhanced experience for park users and restoration of natural areas. Catching the Spirit 2007 serves as a starting point for establishing a permanent program of youth activities in the park. It alsos serve as a valuable model that can be adapted to other regional parks.

HOW will the community at large benefit?
   In this project, young people educate park visitors as well as family and friends. Parents who come from cultures that have had a fear of "wild spaces" have been educated by their children and now use the park. Learning respect for nature and parks at an early age helps create a sense of life-long stewardship that makes us feel good about ourselves and about the natural world that sustains us. Catching the Spirit 2007 provides a positive experience for youth, the park and the community as a whole.

More volunteer information:
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