News

Students who have signed up for Outdoor Pursuits in the winter term have already experienced some of the highlights of outdoor life in the Cowichan Valley. This term has strong representation from the Grade 9 class, as well as a few experienced ODP veterans who are on hand to help everyone enjoy their outings safely. Although the new sport...

The fact that no students were able to participate in the BEAT hike to the Koksilah River Ancient Forest Reserve last Sunday didn’t stop 6 members of the Brentwood Family and friends from enjoying the day. After a short drive out past the famous Kinsol Trestle, beyond Shawnigan Lake, we reached our destination. Out of the fog and into the sunshine...

ODP has had an exciting and active first few weeks. Our current group is twenty students strong, and since the beginning of March, all of these hardy volunteers have been sampling the many activities which make spring ODP what it is: hiking local trails, paddling and swimming in the ocean and river, and climbing at the indoor rock gym. Students...

Only a week ago, a group of intrepid Outdoor Pursuits youth and seasoned adults, led by Mr. Norman, set out to accomplish a task. It was no ordinary task, mind you, but one requiring weeks of preparation and training.  We set out to circumnavigate Salt Spring Island in 5 days, and while we did not accomplish that task, we certainly had a...

On two separate Red Saturdays a group of brave Brentwood students boarded a bus at 7:30am destined for a day of outdoor climbing. Upon arriving at Sunny Side Cliffs, each of us took our backpack and a rope and made for the edge, looking down an intimidating precipice. Helmets were tightened, harnesses were doubled back and ropes were secured....

The ODP class recently paddled a section of the Upper Cowichan River. The weather provided the group with warm sunshine, rain showers, wind and even a little hail. We began at the Duck Pond Park in the village of Lake Cowichan, and paddled through a 6 kilometer section of class 1 and 2 whitewater. This was the first experience in moving water for...

Over the course of the last two weekends, ten outdoor enthusiasts made time to complete an intense 50 hour Wilderness First Aid course. In addition to learning first aid that they can apply in wilderness situations, this course taught the principles of proper trip planning, safety plans, risk management and the risks and complications of ...

Wednesday at 3:15pm, 11 Outdoor Pursuits members pushed their kayaks away from the Brentwood docks and began their five day, 95 km circumnavigation of Salt Spring Island. Their kayaks were fully loaded with fifteen meals worth of food and camping gear required for the trip. The students will be camping on several Gulf...

Outdoor Pursuits students took on a new challenge this month and went on a search for the Duncan Boulders. Bouldering is sport of growing popularity, it may even have a spot in the Olympics in the near future. Bouldering is similar to rock climbing however bouldering 'problems' tend to be shorter and lower to the ground so there is no rope used to...

Students of Outdoor Pursuits completed their annual immersion day recently near Skutz Falls on the Cowichan River. This unusual day involves leaping into a class two whitewater rapid and learning to rescue and be rescued. Advanced members of the class assisted the guides from their kayaks and learned valuable paddling skills. This day was the...