At JUMP! Canada, there are many teachers beyond the staff: the mountains, the hardship of a portage, the sunset on a lake, and the silence of a moment. One of these teachers is “risk”. Safety and managing risk are our main concern. However, much of the powerful learning that students experience is born out of the inherent risk in our adventures. It is hard to learn about one’s courage and potential without risk or challenge. Risk is a desired and designed element of our adventure programs.
We focus on understanding and reflection on the relationship between our actions and the environmental issues and global climate crisis. We both create opportunities for participants to directly connect with nature and to learn about the need for sustainability as well as opportunities for conversation and discussion around the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how we, as individuals, can work towards climate action.
We recognize that we are on the Unceded Traditional Lands of the Secwepemc First Nations. We try to incorporate aspects of Indigenous Culture and learning into our programs as well as greatly appreciating any time and knowledge shared through the participation of local band members.
Teamwork is an important aspect for both staff and participants at JUMP! Canada. Our staff act as examples to the participants of what teamwork looks like and why it is useful. Activities and programs are also set up where the use of teamwork skills and working together to accomplish goals is required for the participants.
We aim to develop personal and group leadership skills in all of our participants. We do this by both offering opportunities for participants to step into leadership roles throughout the program, as well as by focusing on the personal development of each individual and discussing what leadership means to them and their specific leadership styles.
The personal and social growth of each participant is an important aspect of the JUMP! Canada experience. Through having the participants work together to solve problems, support each other, and reach goals, we aim to increase interpersonal development and skills within the participants.
We focus on teaching social, emotional, and life skills that complement each participant’s experience at JUMP! Canada. The skills we teach reflect BC Education’s Core Competencies and easily transition to life back home and at school.
The location of JUMP! Canada and the expeditions led from there provide a platform for experiential learning or learning by “doing”. This includes learning hands-on skills through activities such as mountain exploration trips, canoeing, community service projects, low and high ropes, and team building initiatives.
Through the programs run at JUMP! Canada, we are focused on creating global citizens that are able to look at the whole picture and see how we and our actions are all connected at a global level. As part of this, participants will gain a better understanding of how their actions have an impact on those within other countries and cultures.
We are inclusive of all genders, races, cultures, languages, shapes, sizes, colours, abilities and capacities. We promote this inclusivity not only in who we accept to programs, but in how the programs are run and the values and behavior we expect from the other participants while on the program. We also include aspects of DEI teachings within our programs, to bolster the participants' understanding of issues around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Transformative learning is at the heart of what JUMP! Canada does. We want to transform the ways in which participants see themselves, the outdoors, and the global world as a whole. Through the activities and programs at JUMP, participants are able to gain new experiences and insight that change the way that they view their role in relation to both others on a local and global scale and with nature.
© 2022 JUMP! Canada Society. All adventures reserved.
