THE CANARY CLUB | 2022

The Canary Club program is primarily focused on engaging and influencing youth that are in close geographical proximity to the outdoors. The goal of this program is to provide an outdoor experience to kids who don’t have the means or otherwise the support to do so on their own. Lack of community involvement, lack of constructive use of free time are contributing factors to why kids may struggle. Connecting with mentors and learning the value of the environment they live in is especially important for youth. It’s also an opportunity to appreciate the incredible therapeutic aspects the mountains can bring to their day-to-day lives. We believe that a connection to the mountains will build confidence in our youth and harness a fun and positive experience to the surrounding world.

Our founder, JP Auclair was captured saying that he relished time in high alpine huts - to have time away from it all to unplug and reset. One of the initial Canary Club participants Alex Schreiber unknowingly echoed his thoughts. “It was an escape from daily life,” says Schreiber “Being in the middle of nowhere and listening to the mountains felt really good.”

2022 Informaton

LOCATION: Whitewater - January/ February 2022

AI LEADS: Andrew Sharpe

GUILDING SERVICES/PARTNERS: Armada Skis

RECRUITMENT AREA: Nelson, BC

LOCATION: Mt. Hood - IN March 21 and OUT March 23, 2022

AI LEADS: Tucker Barney

GUILDING SERVICES/PARTNERS: Smith Optics, Mt. Hood, Kaf Adventure

RECRUITMENT AREA: Portland Metro Area

LOCATION: Vail Valley

AI LEADS: Mikey Hovey, Slade, Cogswell, and Greg Obernesser

GUILDING SERVICES/PARTNERS: Paragon Guides and the 10th Mountain Division Huts

RECRUITMENT AREA: Vail Valley

PAST PROGRAMS - VAIL VALLEY

WHO: A group of students from the Red Canyon High School, a school that shifts the focus from the idea that the kid need to fit the school and instead fits the school to kid. School, typically has not been a strong place for education and relationships for these youth who have in common at risk factors, but today they are working hard to overcome their challenges. These young people live in the Vail Valley, yet have not had the means or support to venture deep into the mountains that surround and globally define their home.

*The 2021 program is expanding recruitment to students from schools in Edwards and Vail as well.

WHAT: In honor of the journey these youth are on we will embark on an experience that will not only connect them to the mountains but to each other. They will join in three sessions to practice skinning, climbing, skiing and other skills to prepare them for an overnight hut trip. The core idea is to instill the knowledge that each individual is paramount for the success of the group and that it will take teamwork, resiliency and collaboration. Over spring break the training will culminate into an overnight ski adventure to the 10th Mountain Division Hut, where the new skills will be tested as they navigate the trying yet rewarding terrain blanketing the mountains while connecting them further to their home.

WHEN: 2021 Dates: March 9-11 – The itinerary includes two classroom sessions and one training day to prepare for an overnight ski adventure to the 10th Mountain division hut. Skills from their mountain and group sessions will be applied to navigate the trying yet rewarding terrain blanketing the mountains surrounding their home.

Location: Eagle/ Vail, Colorado

Past Programs Vail Valley: March 7-10, 2019; March 9-11, 2020; March 23-25,2021