ROOTs - Youth Development & Leadership Program

ROOTs is a 4-week leadership development program for those who have completed Grade 10. All participants begin with a week of group bonding by studying topics such as worldviews and culture, leadership theory, and spending time in exciting teambuilding activities.  This is then followed by a 7-day out trip, either hiking, canoeing, kayaking or bike packing. Upon returning to IAWAH, the entire group will develop and run a day camp program at IAWAH where participants can put into practice the leadership principles learned in the first three weeks of the program. Participants choose from one of the four trip options:

• ROOTs Altitude – Developing backpacking and outdoor education skills on the trail

Spend time hiking while learning backpacking and camping skills. Push your physical limits as you hike each day, learning how to navigate with a map and cooking your own meals. Participants will take turns leading the trip each day, learning what it's like to lead your peers. (A canoe trip is not part of the ROOTs Altitude experience)

• ROOTs Wild – Developing teamwork through canoeing

Learn how to navigate challenging rivers and lakes in a remote wilderness area, while developing the skills needed to help lead a canoe trip.

• ROOTs River - Developing leadership skills on the water

ROOTs River will navigate the Rideau and St. Lawrence Rivers in a single-seat sea kayak, camping at the locks in style, and take in the beauty of God’s creation. Participants will spend time growing in leadership and learning through discussion.