Take a Hike Vancouver
In partnership with SD 39 and based at John Oliver Secondary.
Opened in 2000 and serves up to 22 youth.
For intake information, please contact Richard Edge at redge@vsb.bc.ca (available year-round).
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.
In 2000, Take a Hike launched its first program in partnership with School District 39 at John Oliver School in Vancouver. This flagship location launched Take a Hike’s journey 25 years ago and grew into a model now supporting youth across British Columbia, with our first Ontario program opening this year. Each year, the Vancouver program supports up to 22 youth through high-quality education, clinical counselling, community initiatives, and land-based learning. From this original program grew a vision that continues to empower youth with the skills, confidence, 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:
90%
of eligible Grade 12s graduated
76%
report significant mental health improvements
96%
of youth reported learning skills and knowledge to be successful in the workplace
Home to Take a Hike’s very first program, the Vancouver location continues to offer youth opportunities to explore the outdoors and engage in community-building activities, such as Nordic skiing on Cypress Mountain, biking and hiking in Lynn Canyon, and trail experiences at Minnekhada and Jug Island. These outings help youth connect with their surroundings while building confidence and developing social-emotional skills. Longer trips, like the multi-day Spirit of Exploration trip along the Sunshine Coast, give youth time to reset, build trust, and take on leadership within the group. Over four days, they hiked to a remote backcountry hut, shared morning reflections, and supported one another through challenges and moments of celebration. Whether setting up a tent or writing appreciation notes around the campfire, these shared experiences brought the group closer together and created lasting memories.
