Tongtana Challenge - Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Organised by Leadership Initiative For Earth (LIFE), this programme offers two outdoor challenge sessions on Vancouver Island, Canada meant to motivate young people to explore global issues related to the environment in a fun, competitive, interactive atmosphere. Each day of each 2-week-long programme will involve a workshop on a global issue topic and at least one team challenge or game. The workshops will be led by scientists, global educators, and role models pursuing a wide range of careers. In the summer of 2003, one session will involve up to 20 youth aged 16-18 and will take place from June 29 to July 16 2003. The second session, for up to 20 youth aged 14-16, will take place from July 21 to August 6 2003. These young people will be brought together to experience the cooperation, creativity, and commitment needed to find solutions to global problems.
Communication Strategies
The establishment of a spirit of teamwork is a central programme strategy. Upon their arrival, participants will be divided between two teams of up to ten people. Throughout the two weeks, the teams will live together in rustic base camps with few modern comforts. Activities will take place near these base camps or in places accessible by water taxi or bus. Scientists, First Nations people, and educators will lead workshops on global issues such as forest protection, sustainable development, cultural preservation, conflict resolution, climate change, poverty, and human rights.
The teams will be presented with challenges that relate to the themes explored in these workshops. The challenges will include carrying people on stretchers through a rainforest swamp, creating a drama skit using a floating house in a remote cove as the set, and a treasure hunt through the resort town of Tofino. Activities will both focus on competition and cooperation between teams. Their performance in these challenges will determine their handicaps or advantages in the various physical obstacle courses and creative tasks that they will race to complete.
The 2003 Tongtana Challenges are pilot programmes and will be videotaped for possible television broadcast.
The teams will be presented with challenges that relate to the themes explored in these workshops. The challenges will include carrying people on stretchers through a rainforest swamp, creating a drama skit using a floating house in a remote cove as the set, and a treasure hunt through the resort town of Tofino. Activities will both focus on competition and cooperation between teams. Their performance in these challenges will determine their handicaps or advantages in the various physical obstacle courses and creative tasks that they will race to complete.
The 2003 Tongtana Challenges are pilot programmes and will be videotaped for possible television broadcast.
Development Issues
Environment, Youth.
Key Points
Both programmes will take place in Clayoquot Sound, located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Clayoquot Sound is the home of the Nuu Chah Nulth First Nations people, who have lived on this land for thousands of years. In past decades, the area has attracted international attention due to conflicts about the conservation and use of its rainforests.
The Tongata Challenges are an outgrowth of LIFEQuest; click here for programme details.
Established in 1995, LIFE is a charitable organisation that strives to "enable young people to be effective stewards of the Earth in the career and life path they choose." To date, over 1,400 young people have participated in LIFE's programmes.
The Tongata Challenges are an outgrowth of LIFEQuest; click here for programme details.
Established in 1995, LIFE is a charitable organisation that strives to "enable young people to be effective stewards of the Earth in the career and life path they choose." To date, over 1,400 young people have participated in LIFE's programmes.
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