Take a Hike Saanich
In partnership with SD 63 and based at the Individual Learning Centre.
Opened in 2021 and serves up to 20 youth.
For intake information, please contact Ryan Ellis at the ILC Saanichton office at 250.652.4042 (available September – June).
Applicants will be interviewed, and notified of their status. Upon acceptance to the program, youth must sign a medical clearance form before attending classes.
Take a Hike empowers vulnerable youth through a full-time mental health and emotional well-being program embedded in an alternate education classroom. Over the past 25 years, Take a Hike has supported over 1,000 youth, to change the trajectory of their lives.
Take a Hike partnered with School District 63 in 2021 to open the Saanich program at the Individual Learning Centre. Together, we engage up to 20 youth per school year by combining high quality education with intentional, continuous clinical counselling, community initiatives, and land-based learning. We empower youth with the skills and resilience they need to graduate high school, build healthy relationships, and achieve success – however they define it.
As the youth mental health crisis continues to grow across Canada, the demand for Take a Hike’s transformative program is rising. Take a Hike demonstrates the powerful combination of mental health supports and land-based learning, as youth report a greater sense of purpose, community and self-awareness and are more likely to graduate high school.
The impact of Take a Hike’s approach is clear:
100%
graduation rate in the Saanich Program in 2024
96%
of youth reported learning skills and knowledge to be successful in the workplace
99%
reported having safety in expressing their feelings at Take a Hike
Youth in the Saanich program regularly explore the outdoors and take part in community-building opportunities that foster connection and growth. From hiking at Tod Inlet to paddling on Elk Lake, these experiences create space to connect with the land, themselves, and each other. Therapeutic Out Days, such as equine-assisted learning, support emotional regulation and personal growth in calming, hands-on settings. Longer trips, like the multi-day Spirit of Exploration trip to Gordon Bay, give youth even more time to reflect, reset, and build meaningful relationships at a pace that works for them. Whether hiking, paddling, or gathering around the fire, these shared experiences help youth step outside their comfort zones and develop a stronger sense of belonging.
