From Thursday, May 30, 2013, through Sunday, June 2, 2013, Toronto Police Service, 41 Division, will host Project Ultimate Survivors (Project US) in partnership with the Toronto Catholic District School Board
Project US will take 35 youth, 32 volunteer police officers and members of the Toronto Catholic District School Board to Sherborne Lake, part of the Algonquin Highlands Water Trails, to participate in an extraordinary wilderness-survival program, encompassing canoeing, portaging and camping.
This initiative was created by School Resource Officers Constable Michelle Tassé and Constable Michael Seaban, in collaboration with numerous Divisional officers, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and other outdoor professionals. The mandate of the TPS School Resource Officer is to establish and maintain positive relationships with youth in Toronto schools.
This unique outdoor experiential learning initiatives primary goal is to assist in breaking down barriers between the Toronto Police Service and Torontos youth, as well as encouraging teamwork, build character, promote respect and foster self-worth. The kids will gain the expertise to become competent in outdoor survival, while building positive relationships with members of the Toronto Police Service. The skills and experience acquired will provide competencies that will be translated to their urban environment and will last a lifetime.
Police officers will participate in a mentoring capacity, assisting outdoor professionals Les Stroud ("Survivorman") and David Arama, the owner of WSC Wilderness Survival School, while they teach a host of wilderness-survival skills.
In preparation, the youth and officers have participated in a two-day GPS and compass-navigation program taught by Sgt. James Lawson of the TPS Public Safety Unit, attended a one-day Ontario Canoeing and Kayaking Association certification course and a two-day wilderness first-aid course taught by Wilderness Medical Associates. The youth are required to keep up their curricular studies and treat their peers and adults with respect.
Year one in 2012, the pilot, was a huge success, resulting in a renewed commitment by school staff, students, police officers and celebrities.
On Thursday, May 30, 2013, at the Frost Centre, 20130 35 Highway, Lutterworth, Haliburton County, on the west side of St. Nora Lake, at noon, the participants will enjoy a barbecue, followed by the opening ceremonies.
During the opening ceremonies, several partners and sponsors will be acknowledged for their show of support in this unique initiative:
Algonquin Highlands EMS
Canadian Tire Jumpstart
David Arama
Dorset Fire Department
Les Stroud
Daves No Frills
Ontario Provincial Police
Sail Outdoor Store
The Rotary Club of Scarborough
Tim Hortons
Toronto Catholic District School Board
Wilderness Medical Associates
Les Stroud, from the television series "Survivorman," David Arama and other instructors will provide youth and officers with a series of practical instruction which they will be required to use for the remainder of the trip.
Media are invited to attend the opening ceremonies.
Please note that this is a private function and not open to the public.
Financial partners for Project Ultimate Survivors are Sail Outdoor Store, Rotary Club of Scarborough, Dave's No Frills, Tim Horton's, Costco, and Canadian Tire Jumpstart.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart is dedicated to removing barriers, so children can participate in organized sport and recreation. Canadian Tire Jumpstart sees it as equipping kids for life, because participation in organized sport and recreation increases a childs chance for success in life.
For further information, please contact Constables Michelle Tassé or Michael Seaban at 416-808-4100.
Project US will take 35 youth, 32 volunteer police officers and members of the Toronto Catholic District School Board to Sherborne Lake, part of the Algonquin Highlands Water Trails, to participate in an extraordinary wilderness-survival program, encompassing canoeing, portaging and camping.
This initiative was created by School Resource Officers Constable Michelle Tassé and Constable Michael Seaban, in collaboration with numerous Divisional officers, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and other outdoor professionals. The mandate of the TPS School Resource Officer is to establish and maintain positive relationships with youth in Toronto schools.
This unique outdoor experiential learning initiatives primary goal is to assist in breaking down barriers between the Toronto Police Service and Torontos youth, as well as encouraging teamwork, build character, promote respect and foster self-worth. The kids will gain the expertise to become competent in outdoor survival, while building positive relationships with members of the Toronto Police Service. The skills and experience acquired will provide competencies that will be translated to their urban environment and will last a lifetime.
Police officers will participate in a mentoring capacity, assisting outdoor professionals Les Stroud ("Survivorman") and David Arama, the owner of WSC Wilderness Survival School, while they teach a host of wilderness-survival skills.
In preparation, the youth and officers have participated in a two-day GPS and compass-navigation program taught by Sgt. James Lawson of the TPS Public Safety Unit, attended a one-day Ontario Canoeing and Kayaking Association certification course and a two-day wilderness first-aid course taught by Wilderness Medical Associates. The youth are required to keep up their curricular studies and treat their peers and adults with respect.
Year one in 2012, the pilot, was a huge success, resulting in a renewed commitment by school staff, students, police officers and celebrities.
On Thursday, May 30, 2013, at the Frost Centre, 20130 35 Highway, Lutterworth, Haliburton County, on the west side of St. Nora Lake, at noon, the participants will enjoy a barbecue, followed by the opening ceremonies.
During the opening ceremonies, several partners and sponsors will be acknowledged for their show of support in this unique initiative:
Algonquin Highlands EMS
Canadian Tire Jumpstart
David Arama
Dorset Fire Department
Les Stroud
Daves No Frills
Ontario Provincial Police
Sail Outdoor Store
The Rotary Club of Scarborough
Tim Hortons
Toronto Catholic District School Board
Wilderness Medical Associates
Les Stroud, from the television series "Survivorman," David Arama and other instructors will provide youth and officers with a series of practical instruction which they will be required to use for the remainder of the trip.
Media are invited to attend the opening ceremonies.
Please note that this is a private function and not open to the public.
Financial partners for Project Ultimate Survivors are Sail Outdoor Store, Rotary Club of Scarborough, Dave's No Frills, Tim Horton's, Costco, and Canadian Tire Jumpstart.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart is dedicated to removing barriers, so children can participate in organized sport and recreation. Canadian Tire Jumpstart sees it as equipping kids for life, because participation in organized sport and recreation increases a childs chance for success in life.
For further information, please contact Constables Michelle Tassé or Michael Seaban at 416-808-4100.