Robson Valley

Upcoming Events:

Teens ages 15-18 are invited to drop into Vale Coffee for a special after-hours drop-in for Vale Youth Hangouts: Beading Edition!

3:30-5:30 pm on the following Thursdays: April 23rd, April 30th, May 14th, May 21st.

This series of 2-hour introductory beading workshops will be led by Theresa Westhaver - a local Indigenous artist, outdoor/environmental educator, co-founder, Director of Land-Based Learning and BC Program Manager for The Howl Experience!

All experience levels are welcome!

Limit of 10 participants: first 10 youth to drop in will receive a beading kit, fancy drink and delicious treat from Vale Coffee!

Knucwentwécw: Robson Valley Youth Leadership Program

Ages: 14-18

Dates: July 27 - August 3, 2026

Price: $525 + tax*

*additional subsidies may be available

Knucwentwécw - to help one another.

Knucwentwécw: Robson Valley Youth Leadership Program is bringing a cohort of local Robson Valley youth leaders (ages 14 -18) together to explore, connect and experience world class adventure in their own backyard.

This program embraces the Secwepémc value of Knucwentwécw - the shared responsibility of helping one another, including our human and non-human relatives, as well as ourselves through reciprocity and contribution.

Youth participants will strengthen connection to place, community, culture and peers, while building the confidence and skills that will empower you to step into a leadership role in their communities.

Eligibility: Preferred youth applicants (ages 14-18) must have connection to the greater Robson Valley area, including communities of Valemount, McBride, Tete Jaune, Dunster, Simpcw and Lheidli T'enneh First Nations.

Apply Now

Applications open April 19th to May 19th

What to expect?

All Howl program itineraries are designed to weave in a focus on Howl's 4 Core Teachings Truth and ReconciliACTION, climate action, community building and personal resilience.

During this 7-day, 6-night experiential land-based youth leadership program, some potential program activity options include:

Outdoors adventure (i.e. guided hikes, mountain biking, climbing & whitewater rafting)
Full-day field trip to Jasper National Park
Artistic workshops (i.e. mural painting, creative writing & beading)
Cultural & Seasonal Round Land-Based Skills (i.e. gardening, berry picking & canning)
Community Volunteer Projects (i.e. community garden, trail building, etc)
Conservation-Based Service Projects & Citizen Science

Find your voice.

Knucwentwécw: Robson Valley Youth Leadership Program is designed to be collaborative in nature, youth leaders are invited to actively participate in the program co-design process. Leading up to summer programming, youth will have the opportunity to provide input on preferred itinerary activities and identify community and conservation-based volunteer service projects they would like to be involved with.

Find your purpose.

Howl will collaborate with other local organizations from the Robson Valley to provide opportunities for youth to develop their leadership skills and capacity, enhance community and peer connections, and support youth in gaining the experiences, tools and support networks they need to grow as leaders in their communities. Through meaningful engagement with community members, service projects and peers, youth develop an increased sense of purpose, pride, and connection in their lives.

Participants will also be encouraged to continue to engage in ongoing leadership and peer mentorship opportunities following the program.

Find your path.

Youth who are part of the program will become community ambassadors by growing their leadership skills & capacity, building networks and connections locally and nationally, mentoring other youth, and learning about local resources that they can share with their peers.

Summer 2026 cohort members of Knucwentwécw: Robson Valley Youth Leadership Program will gain long-term access to additional youth leadership opportunities through Howl, such as:

Support in applying for Howl Microgrants, which includes funding & ongoing mentorship for youth-led community action projects
Attending Howl’s Led by the Land: Banff Youth Leadership Gathering from November 6 - 9th, 2026 in Kananaskis, AB
Continued connection with wraparound supports from Howl Experience Alumni Network’s youth and adult mentors
Interaction with various educational & career pathways and mentors
Building a network with supportive adults in the community before, during and after summer program
Continued community engagement through volunteerism and opportunities to continue connecting post-program
Peer mentorship opportunities post-program

Where you’ll be staying

The Howl Experience is proud to partner with the Kiyooka Land Trust Foundation to host youth leaders for this 7-day, 6-night immersive, land-based summer leadership program.

A 20 minutes drive from Valemount in Tête Jaune Cache, BC, the Kiyooka Land Trust is situated along the Fraser River and surrounded by the confluence of the Cariboos, Monashees and Rocky Mountains on the unceded territories of the Secwépemc and Lheidli T’enneh.

The Land Trust encompasses a 72-acre sanctuary of beautiful trails, wetlands, streams and forest habitat, thriving with abundant migratory birds, wildlife and medicine plants.

Cost

The starting base costs are outlined below and are based on a group of 20 youth participants for an 7-day, 6-night program.

$525 + tax per person*

*Note: Although the true cost of this program is approximately $1350 per person, and the above fee is already significantly subsidized, Howl is actively continuing to seek community sponsors for this program, in order to further reduce program fees. Additional program fee subsidy may be available, but is not guaranteed.

If cost is a barrier, please indicate this on your application form.

Program Fees Include the following: