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The YES Trail Restoration Project
- Chelsea Lake
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
For years, campers at The YES have been discovering connection, resilience, and confidence on the forested hiking trails at Cowichan Lake.
The 40 acre site at Cowichan Lake has provided youth at The YES Camps with the opportunity to challenge themselves, support each other, and experience the outdoors both individually and as a community. Those from more urban environments have been able to connect with the majesty of nature by walking under towering trees, surrounding themselves with native plants, bushes and ferns; and observing the local fauna like bunnies, deer and the occasional black bear.
In recent years, the trails at Cowichan Lake have become overgrown and unsafe, and this opportunity has been lost for our groups. The bridges are broken, the paths have been overtaken, and the boardwalks are in disrepair.
Today, The YES is excited to share a new beginning.
The Town of Lake Cowichan has approved a Trail Restoration Project at the Cowichan Lake Education Centre. As the sponsor of this restoration project, The YES has committed to contribute up to $25,000 to help rebuild the trails so campers can once again experience the benefits of outdoor education. In addition to rebuilding the trails that were already in place, this exciting rebuild will include interpretive sign kiosks with information pertaining to the native species found in the forest and their Indigenous names.
To complete this project, we’re inviting our community to get involved and help us raise $10,000 to bring the trail back for this camp season.
Here’s how you can help:
1. Donate to the Trail Restoration Fund
Your support will help clear and restore the trail, improve safety, and create educational features for campers. Learn more about where your donation will go and sponsorship opportunities below!
2. Volunteer your Time
We’re organizing volunteer days in May and June to help restore the trail. If you’re interested, sign up and we’ll share more details soon.
Together, we can restore more than a trail—we can restore an experience that helps young people grow, connect, and thrive.
Will you help make that possible?
Donate to the Trail Restoration Fund
From clearing vegetation, stabilizing paths, building bridges, and creating educational signage, your gift will directly restore the trail and bring back an important part of The YES Camp experience.
Here’s some examples of how we put your donation to work for this restoration project:
$250 for a sign post with acknowledgment - 2 available
$500 for an interpretive sign kiosk with acknowledgment - 8 available
$5,000 to support bridge construction and receive naming rights - 1 available
Any donation amount to support equipment needs, clearing vegetation, stabilizing paths and rerouting the trail.
Sponsor a sign post, interpretive sign kiosk, or support our bridge construction, and we will acknowledge your donation on the item you sponsored! Mock ups of signage will be coming soon.
Here’s some examples of what it could say:
Donated by
Supported by
In memory of
In dedication to
We welcome donations towards these items from everyone including corporate offices, community groups, past alumni and staff, and community members!
Consider creating a donation pool with a group and sponsoring an item together. Imagine a sign that says “Donated by Pathways B 200X"... we could cry!
Leave a lasting legacy and show your support for The YES.
Volunteer your Time
In addition to funding, we also need some help with the actual restoration of the trail!
We’re organizing volunteer days in May and June for people to come to the Cowichan Lake Education Centre and help out. If you’re interested, sign up below to let us know and we’ll share more details soon.
At this time, we can confirm that these opportunities will be on Saturday/Sundays in May and June at The Cowichan Lake Education Centre (8885 Lakeview Park Rd, Lake Cowichan, BC, V0R 2G0). We will be able to provide the tools you need as well as some food and cold drinks!
If you aren’t able to donate or volunteer at this time, please help us spread the word!
Connect with the people you met at camp and share it on your social media. Every bit of support makes a difference for youth attending camp this summer and in the future!
We are so excited for this opportunity to bring this beloved piece of programming back to campers.
Thank you for your support!
If you have any questions about this project, please get in touch with The YES Team at info@theyes.ca!
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