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Outdoor Tips, Tricks, Inspiration and Activities | MEC Blog

Being a member of MEC comes with hidden benefits: each time you buy something at MEC, part of your sale goes back into the community. That means the headlamp on your wishlist or the toque you’ve picked up for your sister is also helping others get outside.

[MEC All Out](/en/explore/community) (our community program) partners with groups across Canada on all kinds of projects. One way to look at it is that when you give your outdoorsy friend a gift, you’re actually giving a gift twice. Here are 10 of the best gifts *you’ve* given in 2019 – thank you, MEC members!

## 1. The gift of a first camping trip
Camping can seem a bit daunting if you’ve never tried it before. The solution? A program aimed at teaching people how go camping for the first time.

Your support as members has enabled MEC to work with Parks Canada’s [Learn-to Camp](https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/serapprocher-connect/ltc-dlc) program. These courses aim to instill confidence and new outdoor skills so brand new campers can discover the joy of tents and s’mores. In 2019, Learn-to Camp inspired over 100,000 people to go camping. MEC also partnered with [Canucks Autism Network](https://www.canucksautism.ca/), [Power to Be](https://powertobe.ca) and Parks Canada to create a supported version of this program for families with children on the autism spectrum who need a different learning environment.



## 2. The gift of getting close to nature
If you’ve bought something at MEC this year (or any year since 2010), you’ve helped support [Parkbus](https://www.parkbus.ca/). The Parkbus crew offers transportation from cities to parks across Canada to allow people of all backgrounds and abilities explore the great outdoors. Along with bus transport, Parkbus also provides fully guided hikes and outdoor education.

Another program you’ve helped support is the [Save Our Seine River Environment](http://saveourseine.com/) (SOS). With help from an MEC community grant in 2019, SOS is constructing the first universally-accessible dock on the Seine River in Winnipeg. This dock will allow people with mobility, visual and cognitive disabilities experience the water, and will also be great for families, school groups, seniors, novice paddlers, and anyone who wants to connect to nature within an urban environment.



## 3. The gift of safe bike rides
MEC members are big on cycling, so it’s only natural that we’d put some of your purchases to work by helping out bike-related groups like [HUB Cycling](https://bikehub.ca/) (Vancouver), [Cycle Toronto](https://www.cycleto.ca) and [Vélo Québec](http://www.velo.qc.ca/en/Home). One highlight from 2019 was HUB’s Bike The Night event, which saw more than 5,000 people riding in the dark (some of them for the first time) at the biggest party on two wheels in Vancouver.

On the other side of the country, Halifax-based [Ecology Action Centre](https://ecologyaction.ca/) used support from MEC All Out to run their Welcoming Wheels initiative, which helps get new Canadians active on two wheels, along with Bike Again!, their volunteer-run DIY bike shop.



## 4. The gift of new adventure buddies
Adventures are better with friends – and the [PlayCity app](https://www.playcityapp.com/mec), launched by MEC member Hafiz Mitha, helps you find them. PlayCity can connect you with people who have similar activity interests and ability levels. Through our community grants program, MEC has helped the app expand across Canada, with its most recent launch in Montreal.



## 5. The gift of hut trips
You might actually be able to thank your parents for this community gift, since the partnership between MEC and the [Alpine Club of Canada](https://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/web/) (ACC) goes back at least 29 years.

Part of your purchases provide annual funding for the ACC, so this group can keep finding ways to help Canadians go climbing, mountaineering and get into the alpine. The ACC has an extensive system of alpine and backcountry huts, along with regional clubs and youth programming to make sure the next generation is even more active than the last.



## 6. The gift of clean campsites
Camping in pristine wilderness? Amazing. Camping with bits of orange peels or toilet paper around? Way less amazing.

It’s important to camp (and hike, climb, bike) responsibly, so MEC All Out has kept our partnership with [Leave No Trace Canada](http://www.leavenotrace.ca/home) going in 2019. Many years ago, we provided the organization with seed funding, and we’ve been delighted to see it flourish – we even have our first [Leave No Trace Ambassador](/en/explore/mec-ambassadors). Their training and programs show that even small changes in behavior can have monumental impacts on the outdoors.



## 7. The gift of getting youth outside
Your purchases helped provide [Spirit North](https://spiritnorthxc.ca/) with gear and funding in 2019. This MEC community partner, led by Olympic champion Beckie Scott, is committed to improving the health and well-being of Indigenous youth through the transformative power of cross-country skiing, sport and play. Spirit North reaches more than 50 Indigenous communities and 8,000 youth across Alberta, BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan each year.

In 2019, your support also allowed us to give a community grant to the Great Canoe Journey project by [Waterlution](https://waterlution.org/). Their goal is to ensure the next generation is made up of outdoor-loving, environmentally responsible citizens with knowledge of the cultural history of waterways. Led by a team of 35 Indigenous and non-Indigenous Youth Advisory Board volunteers, the project engages school and youth groups.



## 8. The gift of more powder days
Those ski socks you picked up do more than keep your feet warm. Part of the sale goes back to the community, and one of the community groups we supported in 2019 is [Protect Our Winters](https://protectourwinters.ca) Canada (POW). POW is dedicated to fighting climate change on behalf of the snowsports community. MEC was the founding partner of POW Canada, and is behind their mission of turning outdoor enthusiasts into climate advocates to keep the snow in snowsports. Snow days with the family are awesome and we want to safeguard them for generations to come.



## 9. The gift of safety in the backcountry
Avalanche safety training is so important for winter backcountry trips. Thanks to your purchases, MEC has been able to support [Avalanche Canada](https://www.avalanche.ca), who deliver Avalanche Canada Training courses, since 2001. They also offer mountain weather forecasts and a free avalanche forecast app to help skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers stay safe.



## 10. The gift of new trails
MEC member purchases have helped us create trails all over the country. One highlight from 2019 was the High Rock Trail building project. Thanks to your support, the [Great Divide Trail Association](http://www.greatdividetrail.com) was able to put on eight trail building expeditions to create 10 kilometres of new trail, and work on the re-route of the Great Divide Trail into the High Rock Wildland Park in southern Alberta. Along with trail building, volunteers learned about the plants and animals in the area, Leave No Trace and conservation of the Great Divide Trail Corridor in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.



*A big thank you to MEC members for making all these gifts happen (and lots more) – we’re looking forward to another year of community projects.*



## Related articles
- [Want to go hiking but don’t have a car? Hop on board Parkbus](/en/article/want-to-go-hiking-but-dont-have-a-car-hop-on-board-parkbus)
- [7 ways to hike and camp responsibly](/en/article/7-ways-to-camp-and-hike-responsibly)
- [Looking for an activity buddy? This app could be the answer](/en/article/looking-for-an-activity-buddy-this-app-could-be-the-answer)





Feel-good alert: these local outdoor projects got help from the Co-op community.

Thank you, members – these are gifts you’ve given this year

We’ve always wanted to know what it takes to compete in this sport, so we took a group of Canada’s strongest climbers through a rigorous Q&A session. Read on to get a taste of everything, from prepping for comps and the future of Canadian climbing to recovery tips and how to keep your climbing shoes from stinking.

Our crew of crushers included:

- Sean McColl: World Champion climber, future Olympian
- Tosh Sherkat: MEC Climbing Ambassador
- [Cat Carkner](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa3MLSYW_Os): Youth Olympics athlete and MEC Ambassador
- [Lucas Uchida](https://gripped.com/profiles/lucas-uchida-has-incredible-year/): Canadian National Team Member and MEC Ambassador
- Allison Vest: Canadian National Team Member



### 

*All these athletes are part of* *[*Climbing Escalade Canada*](http://climbingcanada.ca/)*, *the not-for-profit group that promotes Canada’s competition climbing community and oversees comps. Through MEC All Out (our community program), MEC is the CEC’s* *[*founding partner*](/en/explore/partnerships)*, *and we’re excited to support the development of young climbers in our country.*



#### 1. Climbing at the Olympics combines three disciplines: speed climbing, bouldering and lead climbing. What do you think of this format?
I was heavily involved with the format of combined for Tokyo 2020. As the IOC only gave the **IFSC one set of medals**, the combined of all three disciplines made perfect sense. For the 2024 Games, speed has been proposed to be split apart. The goal of the IFSC was always to have at least three set of medals for our original three disciplines of speed, lead and boulder. – Sean McColl



#### 2. What’s your favourite discipline to compete in?
Bouldering. A big part of that is due to the atmosphere at the competitions. There’s an **electric energy** at a good bouldering comp that’s just so fun to climb in. It’s more fast-paced and less mentally taxing. – Cat Carkner

I have always been split between lead and bouldering. I like having to **adapt to different scenarios** and using my mind to problem solve and execute. I find the mental components of lead and bouldering really interesting. – Lucas Uchida



#### 3. What does a typical week of training look like?
It depends on what phase of training I’m in. For the most part, I train five to six days a week, for three to six hours per day. A day can have any combination of: warmup, hanging, campusing, bouldering skills, circuits, lead climbing, cardio, stretching, mobility, recovery exercises. On average, this means anywhere from **15 to 30 hours per week**. – Sean McColl

I won’t give you all my secrets, but a typical week involves a lot of work on the **components of climbing**, rather than just climbing. I usually spend two to three days focusing on the strength components and two to three days focusing on technical skills. – Tosh Sherkat

Training **varies depending on the season**. If it’s lead season, I spend a lot of time going round and round on circuit walls. If it’s bouldering season, I get as much variety in styles of climbing as I possibly can. – Allison Vest

A typical week involves five days being in the gym climbing. Among those five days are two days of strength training. There’s **a lot of climbing involved**. – Lucas Uchida



#### 4. How do you mentally prepare for a comp?
The same way I do before every competition: think of how much time I spent training to get there, and enjoying the process of being able to **represent my country**. – Sean McColl

I like to spend some time before imagining the sensations I might feel competing. Kind of a **mental rehearsal** of all the feelings I might have and how I would deal with them. – Lucas Uchida



#### 5. What’s it like to compete in front of a crowd?
It may sound weird to some people, but I love it. I have always loved it. Maybe it’s because I am a bit of a drama queen, but I have always fed on the **energy of a large crowd** and allowed it to build me up while I am competing. – Allison Vest

Fun, thrilling, and exciting. The **bigger the crowd** the better! – Sean McColl

I like it. I’m not totally sure why, but I know that when the clock is running down; I want to do the climb, and the crowd wants me to do the climb and it **just feels very wholesome**. – Tosh Sherkat



#### 6. How important is it to you to be a mentor to the next generation of Canadian climbers?
To be a mentor, especially to Canadians, is one of my ultimate goals. I know that eventually I will stop competing, but if knowledge can be passed on repeatedly, then the **program will continue to thrive**. – Sean McColl

To me, it is one of the most important things. Obviously as an athlete I want to succeed and reach my goals, but the **development of climbing in Canada** in general is also extremely important. I was lucky enough to have role models and mentors growing up and if I can make a difference to even just one kid, that would be super cool. Across the boards, our youth team is psyched, kind, and passionate. The future looks bright. – Allison Vest

I have worked as a coach for a competitive youth team for the last two years. I spend a lot of time with them and find it important to be a **part of the next generation**. – Lucas Uchida



#### 7. What’s your favourite part of the team Canada comp jerseys?
The white, the red, and **the pride I feel** while wearing it. – Sean McColl

The speckled “CANADA” side panels. **So slick**. – Allison Vest

This is the first time we have had a jersey made from scratch specifically for the team. For me it represents a **big step in the right direction**. – Lucas Uchida



#### 8. Who do you look to for inspiration?
I really admire climbers who have used their **influence to advocate for positive change**, like Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell. On a pure admiration basis, I’m a big fangirl for Janja Garnbret and Akiyo Noguchi. – Cat Carkner

**Sonnie Trotter**. He was my coach when I was 15, and he displays such an unbridled love for the sport and for his own stoke! The IFSC livestream is also a huge inspiration. I obsessively watch world cups, and try to replicate the movements in my own training. – Tosh Sherkat



#### 9. Top tips to recover after an intense comp or training sesh?
Active recovery, and then **rest**. Many kids don’t know how to properly rest anymore, it’s weird. – Sean McColl

**Epson salt baths** are the waaaaaaay. – Tosh Sherkat



#### 10. As a competitive climber you travel a lot. What’s your favourite place you’ve competed?
**Japan** was one of the coolest places I’ve gotten to visit. I like the culture, the food, and the Japanese are very respectful like Canadians. – Sean McColl

**Vail** is always fun because you are competing in the mountains and are surrounded by an outdoor sport culture. **Wujiang** is a favourite of mine because of how different China is from home and how the competition venue and accommodation are right next to each other. Creates a bit of a community even if it’s just for the event. – Allison Vest



#### 11. Best travel hack when you’re on the road?
Eye mask for sleeping. I am super light sensitive so when I am travelling (or when I am at home) I always make sure to **bring my eye mask**. I usually even pack an extra in case something happens to the first one. Crucial beta. – Allison Vest



#### 12. What’s the best way to clean climbing shoes?
I sprinkle some **baby powder** in them everyday. During comps I lay out a foot towel under the boulder so I can wipe off excess chalk from the mat. – Cat Carkner

I shove chalk up my nose. There’s **no cure** for my stinky-shoes. – Tosh Sherkat



#### 13. Last one: how do you stay motivated?
The **next competition**. – Sean McColl

Reflecting on my goals and on how far I’ve come keeps me motivated. As long as I’m **psyched for more**, I feel like I’m doing the right thing. – Allison Vest



## Want to know more about comp climbing in Canada?
Check out the [CEC](http://climbingcanada.ca/en/home/) – they’re doing a lot behind the scenes to amp up climbing as an organized sport.

“The CEC is working hard to grow climbing all over Canada,” says Joachim Stroink from the CEC Board. “We’re expanding our competition series by adding regionals. We’re also connecting more with gyms and coaches, investing in high-performance programs and working to build out long-term athlete and coach development guidelines.”

“Seeing climbing at Olympics will be huge,” he continues. “It builds awareness in the general population about climbing and makes it seem much more accessible. It’s great for attracting new athletes, building and even stronger base of next-generation climbers, and making everyone proud of our sport and the community we belong to.”

*Top photo: Allison Vest at the 2019 Worlds in Japan.*



## Related articles
- [Crag etiquette: the do’s and don’ts of climbing outside](/en/article/crag-etiquette-the-dos-and-donts-of-climbing-outside)
- [15 things I wish I knew before I started climbing](/en/article/15-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-i-started-climbing)
- [Rock climbing checklist](/en/explore/rock-climbing-checklist)





A group of Canada’s strongest climbers talk everything from training to how they keep their shoes from stinking.

What it’s like to be a pro comp climber in Canada

We’ve all been there. It’s Thursday, the weekend forecast looks good and all you want to do is get outside and go hiking somewhere beautiful. But what if you don’t have a vehicle to get to the trailhead? Or maybe you’ve just moved to a new city and haven’t met an adventure buddy yet, or you don’t know where to get outdoors near you?

Enter: Parkbus. This bus service is an awesome way to get to parks and wild spaces from cities across Canada, no car required. I’m a big fan – and MEC has been supporting Parkbus as one of our community partners since their humble beginnings.



## What’s Parkbus?
Parkbus connects many major Canadian cities to almost 75 national and provincial parks. It’s been going for nearly a decade and serves about 20,000 people across Canada every year (!). The goal? To help more people get access to being active outdoors. Day trips, family camping or wilderness expeditions – Parkbus can get you there. Check out [Parkbus destinations](https://www.parkbus.ca/destinations) to find trips near you, and see what group hikes they’ve got planned through the [ActiveDays program](https://activedays.parkbus.ca/).

Along with reducing barriers to people getting outside, Parkbus has some other wins. Collective transportation (i.e., a bus) helps minimize environmental impact of individual cars. The team works very closely with national and provincial parks to decide on where to go and when to go, and teaches people to be responsible outdoors along the way.

“For every trip, we send pre-departure info, including tips on packing, safety and Leave No Trace, along with trip preparation for people who are going to remote wilderness,” explains Alex Berlyand, one of the two founders of Parkbus.

“There’s a pretty strong educational component that’s emphasized by our Ambassador program – volunteers on board who talk about these kind of things,” he continues. Parkbus also partners with organizations such as the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and the Nature Conservancy of Canada to provide experts to talk about the educational side of their programs.



## How it all started
“Parkbus came from our personal experience of living in a big city without a car,” explains Boris Issaev, the other Parkbus founder. “When we turned 18 and started driving, we realized all these amazing places outside of Toronto exist. It was an eye-opening experience, so we wondered why there wasn’t a bus service. We never really expected this to be our full-time job.”

In 2010, Boris and Alex emailed MEC Toronto with their idea for a bus that goes to parks, and a short time later they were invited to the store to survey what MEC members were looking for with a park bus service. “This really was the catalyst for the whole project,” explains Boris.

Initially, the pair aimed to work with larger bus companies, but were pushed back. “So we rented a big white van,” Boris says. “We were under 25 then, and only one place in the middle of nowhere would rent to us. We drove everyone for free out of our own pockets because we didn’t want to disappoint people. On that first run there were some amazing people who really inspired us to continue,” he adds.

Shortly afterward, MEC jumped on board with funding to help kick things off, and Parkbus has been growing ever since.



## Group hikes, free shuttles and more
Along with lack of transportation, other issues can prevent people from enjoying the outdoors. Lack of outdoor skills and gear, financial constraints, and not knowing people to go with are real barriers, so MEC is working with Parkbus to help break these down.

**Guided hikes**: In partnership with MEC, Parkbus offers [ActiveDays](https://activedays.parkbus.ca/), which aims to build communities in the outdoors. These outings give you the opportunity to meet other hikers, go on a guided hike with a Parkbus facilitator, and learn about the park you’re in from outdoor experts.

**Free shuttles**: A free (yep, free) shuttle service you can take from four Canadian cities to national parks. These [TD Park Express free shuttles](https://www.parkbus.ca/parkexpress) greatly reduce the financial barriers to getting outside.

**Subsidized trips**: Parkbus runs [NatureLink](https://www.parkbus.ca/naturelink), a program that provides subsidized trips for new Canadians to introduce them to the outdoors.

In the past three years, Parkbus has really taken off and MEC has been with them the whole way. An idea that started with one bus every few months has grown into multiple programs that work with different age ranges, abilities, demographics and places – it’s exciting to see how they have programming for everyone.

Not bad for something that started out with two guys and a van.

*MEC All Out is proud to support Parkbus as one of our* *[*community partners*](/en/explore/partnerships).* *Top photo: Parkbus trip to Cypress Provincial Park from Vancouver.*



## Related articles
- [MEC Community Events](/en/explore/events)
- [NatureLink: Connecting newcomers to nature](/en/article/naturelink-explore-parks-in-torontos-backyard)
- [7 ways to hike and camp responsibly](/en/article/7-ways-to-camp-and-hike-responsibly)



Your ticket to adventure in the great outdoors. See how two guys with a van have grown into a service that gets 20,000 people into parks each year.

Want to go hiking but don’t have a car? Hop on board Parkbus

*Compared to when you were a kid, it’s easy to let playing outside slide to the bottom of your priority list as a grown-up – especially if you don’t have anyone to play with.**MEC member Hafiz Mitha wants to fix that. See what he’s creating with [PlayCity](https://www.playcityapp.com/mec), and how it can help you bring a bit more activity and outdoor fun into your life.*

**MEC: How would you describe the PlayCity app?**

**Hafiz**: It’s like Tinder meets Trip Advisor, but for physical activity buddies (I know what you’re thinking – not *that* kind of physical activity). You can use PlayCity to match with people near you that share the same activity interests, skill level and availability. You can also discover locations to go play based on your location and find events for all types of activities.

**What problems are you solving with this app?**

Today, we are busy *being* busy. We can have hundreds of online connections, yet stats show that we are lonelier than ever before1. Social media and time online are shifting the way we connect and spend our time. Eighty percent of Canadian adults aren’t getting the recommended physical activity amounts, which has been estimated to cost our economy over $6.8 billion2.

The goal of PlayCity is to make it easy for people to be more active and meet new people in the process. We know that we’re not going to move away from technology, so why not use it to connect people offline? The only time many of us put our phones away is when we’re engaged in an activity with someone else. Ever tried texting and hiking or playing tennis? Yeah, it doesn’t happen.



**Where did you get the idea for PlayCity?**

When I moved back to Canada after living abroad, I was lonely; I couldn’t find a tennis partner who was at my skill level and was available to play at courts nearby. So I decided to take what dating apps were doing to make it easy for singles looking to meet, but instead focus on people who wanted to make friends based on a shared activity interests. I love what sports and activity do beyond just the physical benefits – they help create community, friendships, confidence and are great for your mental health.

**Where can you use it?**

Today, our efforts are in Calgary and Vancouver. So far, we’re at roughly 6,500 users with about 70% of the userbase in Calgary.

We’re so excited about the partnership with MEC and the opportunity to scale across Canada. Vancouver is our next city where we’re growing, and we’re ready to expand across this fine nation with your help. The app shows you users and events within a 100km radius, so the more events and users in a city, the more ways people can get active outside.



**What are you most proud of with PlayCity?**

All the experiences that I’ve been given by working on the app. The entire ride so far has been pretty surreal, from meeting with users who thank us for helping them find friends to play with when they were depressed and in a new city, to the opportunity to meet legendary athletes who join our team.

Partnering with MEC has been an extremely proud moment as well, and so was being invited to do a [TEDx talk in Calgary](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4DIvJbj7gg) to share our story with the world.

**Fast forward 10 years: what’s your dream for PlayCity?**

I see PlayCity as a company that connects all people from all walks of life. In 10 years, it would be amazing to be in every city to help streamline physical activity connections, and get more people off their phones to connect in real life and do things that are fun and great for them. Having a non-profit or charitable arm to our company will help to push the mission forward as well.



**Any advice for MEC members?**

The only advice I’d give to anyone would be to try and make the world a better place. It’s our duty to push things forward and set the bar for the rest of the world. As a country proud of its multiculturalism, let’s help everyone to feel welcome and experience the amazing people and natural beauty that this country has to offer.

**Finally, what gear always comes along when you’re heading outside?**

My trusty [MEC Travel Light Anorak](/en/product/6020-360/classic-rad-anorak) – it’s a pouch that turns into a thin rain jacket – and a water bottle. With those essentials, along with my bike, I feel like I’m ready for anything.



### 

*MEC All Out supported PlayCity with funding through Outdoor Nation to spur on the app’s development, and we’re excited to see it start to connect people in cities across the country.*



## Related articles
- [MEC Community Events](/en/explore/events)
- [Day hiking for beginners](/en/explore/day-hiking-for-beginners)
- [Why we go outdoors](/en/article/why-we-go-outdoors)

*Source for [1](https://www.cbc.ca/radio/checkup/should-canada-develop-a-strategy-to-combat-the-growing-problem-of-loneliness-1.4494726) and [2](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22667697). Top photo: Tyler Burke*



See what MEC member Hafiz has created with PlayCity and how you can join in.

Looking for an activity buddy? This app could be the answer

The outdoors is the best place to be yourself. With Pride season kicking off, MEC would like to acknowledge the importance of celebrating and including LGBQT2S+ communities in the outdoor industry – and we’ve got events coming up across Canada to do just that.

MEC is proud to represent diversity and inclusion in the outdoors. By signing the [Outdoor Industry CEO Diversity Pledge](https://www.diversifyoutdoors.com/pledge/), we’re committed to active changes in the way we hire, market and engage with both our members and other brands. We also have diversity and inclusion team made up of #mecstaffers, including a group for LGBQT2S+ inclusion.

Want to join us? See our outdoor Pride events happening across Canada, and check out my list of Pride essentials for summer celebrations outside.

## Outdoor Pride events across Canada


MEC is collaborating with LGBQT2S+ groups to host outdoor Pride events across the country. Check out what’s happening near you – there’s everything from Rise and Shine Pride Hikes to a Love Floats Pride Parade on the water.

One example of local groups we’re supporting is Queer Outdoors Vancouver, who aim to connect LGBQT2S+ outdoor adventurers. “The purpose of the group is to build queer outdoors community, plan trips, and share skills and resources,” Mik Turje, the group administrator said, “so that more of us can get outside, learn new skills, and feel safe and comfortable while we do it.”



## Pack up your Pride essentials
Make sure you have what you need to get outside and celebrate what it means to be you, your way.

### A reusable water bottle


Hydration is key on hot summer days. Bring your own [water bottle](/en/products/camping-and-hiking/kitchen-and-hydration/water-bottles-and-travel-mugs/water-bottles/c/1233) when you head out to cut down on single-use plastic bottles, and look for [one that’s insulated](/en/products/camping-and-hiking/kitchen-and-hydration/water-bottles-and-travel-mugs/water-bottles/c/1233?filters%5Bcustom_fields.features%5D%5B0%5D=insulated) if you like to keep your water chilly. If you get bored of plain water, add electrolyte tabs or a squeeze of lemon or lime to keep you sipping throughout the day.



[Nuun tabs](/en/brand/nuun/products/camping-and-hiking/kitchen-and-hydration/food-and-drink/drinks/energy-and-recovery-drinks/c/1176) are electrolyte-replacing drink tablets that are super easy to toss in your bag to jazz up your water throughout the day. They’re great for endurance events (and we all know Pride is just that). Get an extra boost to head from the beach to the parade or march, and then back to the beach.



This Topo Designs retro pack is the perfect size to fit your hat, snacks and sunscreen for a day of celebrating. If you plan to be out all day, toss in the MEC Flash Cloud Gore-Tex Jacket too, just in case the weather gets chilly – it folds up small into its own built-in stuff sack. With this combo, you’re ready for anything.

### Sunscreen


Sun safety is the new cool. Buy [sunscreen](/en/products/travel-gear/sun-protection/sunscreen/c/810), apply it, bring extra for your friends who inevitably forgot it.

### Tasty snacks


Kind bars are tasty and this one has a kick of a few vitamins as well. TBH, I’m more about the chocolate, cherry and [Kind Foundation](https://www.kindsnacks.com/foundation.html): fostering kinder, more empathetic communities.

### MEC Cross Wind 45+10L


Planning to leave the bustle of the city on Pride weekend and hit the trails? The MEC Cross Wind Backpack is universal, so it’s designed to fit a wide variety of bodies and it’s unisex. It’s made to be MEC’s most comfortable pack, so you’ll be gayly frolicking in the forest in no time.



Have fun out there!

*MEC is proud to enable LGBQT2S+ outdoor adventures and connections over the years. A couple of recent faves we’ve supported include Queer Camp in the town of Faro, Yukon, which connects young folks to community and outdoor activity; and Trans Canada, an awesome expedition by James Lovasz that brought trans issues to light as he cycled across the country (@transcanada.bike was supported by an MEC expedition grant).*

*Pride can be a time of celebration, but it can also be a tough time for some folks. If you’re looking for resources, connect with [Pflag Canada](https://pflagcanada.ca/).*

## Related articles
- [The 10 essentials for hiking and camping](/en/explore/the-10-essentials-hiking-camping)
- [7 ways to hike and camp responsibly](/en/article/7-ways-to-camp-and-hike-responsibly)



See how you can join outdoor Pride events happening across Canada, and check out our list of essential gear for summer celebrations outside.

The best ways to celebrate Pride outside

*We’re committed to better representing the diversity of the outdoor community we love, so we’ve been reviewing our criteria for what makes for an epic expedition. We realize that funding crazy trips is awesome, but we need to adjust our definition of epic to ensure all our members get the chance to enjoy the outdoors in whatever ways they can.*

*This trip wasn’t a traditional choice, but it spoke to our hearts and to the wonder of new adventures in the great unknown.*

## Nuchatlitz kayaking expedition, BC
**July 28 to August 3, 2018**



It was the last night of our final day of kayaking, and we had the opportunity to go for a midnight paddle. I had the desire to see bioluminescence in the water, so I managed to get in my double kayak and we followed the rest of the group. Our kayak guides with lanterns on their boat led the way.

We floated on the water in pitch blackness, watching the twinkles and tingles as we dipped our paddles in the ocean. Little fish shot out of the water nearby. It was absolute bliss, indescribable, and an event that I will hold near and dear to my heart. Then, to top it off, one of the guides recited the poem *Being Human* by Climbing PoeTree, which highlights the resilience, wonder and mystery of nature.

It was a magic moment, and I feel so lucky and blessed to have experienced it first-hand.

Since birth, I’ve lived with a neurological disability, cerebral palsy (specifically, spastic diplegia, which affects mostly my lower limbs). Cerebral palsy affects everyone differently, depending on what area of the brain was damaged. For me, it affects my speech, balance, mobility, coordination and manual dexterity. As we age, the effects intensifies; the reality is that it takes more effort for us to do activities or everyday things. I have to find creative ways for me to participate in activities.

Over the past three years, I’ve built an amazing relationship with Spirit of the West Kayaking Adventures, and we’ve talked openly and authentically about supporting me on their kayaking expeditions while meeting their needs. This year, after many conversations with them, we decided that an extra support person would be the answer to enable me to experience the true joy of being in the outdoors. The funds from MEC allowed me to bring a friend to help me keep up with the group during the expedition.



The support person’s main function was to be my partner in a double kayak, as it’s much more stable for balance purposes. Other ways my friend supported me was to navigate the challenging terrain, help me get in and get out of the kayak, and assist me with the many camp duties. On trips like these, I’m part of a larger group and I shouldn’t be expected not to participate in larger camp duties – like washing dishes or organizing gear – just because I have a disability. My friend provided the equilibrium that allowed me to participate as a member of a larger expedition.

Inclusion has always been the framework of my life, and I’ve worked hard to ensure that the proper supports are in place. In my opinion, services that support people with disabilities have done well in providing programs and services. However, mainstream programs haven’t done well, since quite often they don’t have the knowledge, equipment or skillset to accommodate people with disabilities. That means the choice of where to participate doesn’t fall on the individual with a disability, as they’re often prescribed to participate in disabled program.

But to me, inclusion is about personal choice – being able to choose which program to participate in. I often don’t feel included in adaptive programs because the level of my disability is mild, so I don’t require any adaptive equipment or special skillset. I just need people with patience, a sense of open-mindedness, and the willingness to think outside the box.



The many conversations I’ve had with Spirit of the West Kayaking Adventures has helped us understand each other’s needs. This is inclusion at work at its finest: there was open communication from the beginning and a willingness to learn from each other. For inclusion to happen, it takes two to tango – we both need to be open and authentic with each other. I need to be honest with them as to what I can or cannot do in order for us to have a successful trip.

With this notion, I’ve been able to enjoy the gems that this province has to offer. I’ve promised myself to always play in the outdoors, slightly tweaking it a bit to ensure that it’s supportive for me to enjoy it with the changing condition of my disability.

The outdoors are where magical midnight paddle moments happen, and where I have the opportunity to reflect and to challenge my limits.



## Karen’s favourite gear picks
We asked Karen for the gear she loved the most on her trip, and here are her recommendations:



### MEC VectAir Sleeping Pad

Warm synthetic insulation to keep you comfy on cold nights. Raised outer chambers on the [MEC VectAir sleeping pad](/en/product/6008-339/vectair-insulated-sleeping-pad) help keep you centred so you don’t roll off.



### Delphinus -9C Sleeping Bag

The [MEC Delphinus -9C Sleeping Bag](/en/product/5060-385/delphinus--9c-down-sleeping-bag) is insulated with high-end down and has vertical baffles over the torso to prevent cold spots, since the down won’t shift as you move.



### Scrubba Wash Bag

Looks like a dry bag, but is actually a little wash bag for your hiking or travelling clothes. The [Scrubba Wash Bag](/en/product/5036-920/Wash-Bag) packs down small when you’re not using it.



## Related articles
- [5 ways to get funded by MEC](/en/explore/outdoor-impact)
- [Mandatory paddling gear checklist](/en/explore/mandatory-paddling-gear)
- [Kayaks 101](/en/explore/about-kayaks)



Magical midnight moments on an expedition, by MEC member Karen Lai.

Cultivating a sense of inclusion on the water | MEC Blog

Cultivating a sense of inclusion on the water

Last summer, on a beach in Sechelt Inlet, BC, a group of young women sat together in a circle and cried. They had been led there by a Defender of Culture from the Sechelt Nation, who told them how his ancestors had practiced a similar outpouring of emotion with the support of elders as a ritual of womanhood. He called it the “Crying Beach,” and over the next few nights, it became a place where the young leaders in Minerva BC’s Indigenous Roots program could share stories about their lives, hopes and dreams.

“These conversations can absolutely happen outside of an outdoor context,” explains Ashley Milbury, Youth Programs Coordinator at Minerva BC. “However, I am confident that they would not have been as deeply honest without the closeness that comes from overcoming challenges together in the wilderness. Connecting with the ocean, the forest and the beach offers valuable medicine to soothe these wounds once they’ve been opened.”

> “Connecting with the ocean, the forest and the beach offers valuable medicine to soothe these wounds once they’ve been opened.” – Ashley Milbury
>
Healing through a connection to the wilderness is at the core of the Indigenous Roots program, as it is for the Healing in Nature: Bereavement Network as well as Forest and the Femme – three incredible community programs that help participants develop strength, balance and resilience.

## Indigenous Roots


[Indigenous Roots](https://minervabc.ca/msyl/) is a year-long outdoor leadership program that gives Indigenous girls aged 13–19 the opportunity to create strong connections to themselves, other Indigenous girls and the natural world. The BC-based program includes day trips, leadership workshops and two longer trips that challenge participants and ask them to witness each other along the way.

Lisa Tallio, a former director with Minerva BC and a proud member of the Nuxalk and Heiltsuk First Nations, conceived of Indigenous Roots in 2017 when she saw a need for an in-depth, long-term commitment to Indigenous youth and their leadership. She connected with Jeff Willis of Fireside Adventures, and together they developed a program focused on leadership skills grounded in Indigenous culture and environmental principles. In the program’s inaugural year, 25 participants canoed and camped around Sechelt Inlet and circumnavigated Gambier Island.

“Many of the girls refer to Indigenous Roots as their family,” says Ashley. “This sense of community comes from their courage to share so much of themselves and to witness each other so powerfully. […] They have demonstrated tremendous vulnerability and willingness to learn throughout the program. Almost all participants have described feeling disconnected from their Indigenous culture.”



Ashley describes one participant who overcame a serious fear of water to flourish in the program. In her first outing, the group paddled the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s large canoe down Indian Arm, and before long, she was kayaking, whitewater rafting, canoeing on a 21-day expedition, and even jumping into Howe Sound to swim to a nearby island.

“Indigenous Roots gave this young woman the opportunity to cultivate the bravery and resiliency that will serve her and her community her entire life,” says Ashley. “My hope is for every young Indigenous woman to know that she is valued and that her voice is important. We should all look forward to a future guided by their strong leadership and look for our part in supporting their voices.”

## Healing in Nature: Bereavement Network


Michael Modica and Paula Tablon founded the [Healing in Nature: Bereavement Network](http://www.bereavementnetwork.ca/) (HNBN for short) to provide a different avenue of grief support and change the conversation around death and dying for their generation.

“Personally speaking, we have been through various deaths together and the outdoors has helped ground us throughout our grief journeys,” explain Michael and Paula. Michael lost his father suddenly, and his grandfather and family dog within three months of one another. In between, Paula lost her grandparents. “Grief feels like ocean waves; it’s always moving – there are up and downs as there are good and bad days,” says Michael. Traditional bereavement support could not provide what they needed. “We know everyone grieves differently – for us, nature provided the support and healing we needed to be resilient.”

The graduates of MEC Outdoor Nation’s 2017 Think Outside Summit are recruiting young adults in the Greater Toronto Area who have faced significant loss for a 10-week pilot program focused on nature walks, mindfulness exercises and group activities.



In their own experience and from conversations with others, the HNBN duo have observed that being outside helps people get out of their heads, restores a sense of peace within, and helps people find themselves when they feel lost. “Being in nature connects us,” they explain. “When we go through grief, we tend to internalize, close ourselves off and stay indoors, but we want to be the safe space outside where bereaved individuals can go for support.”

## Forest and the Femme


As the founder of [Forest and the Femme](http://forestandthefemme.org/), Jaime Adams provides outdoor programming for highly marginalized women who face multiple barriers to accessing nature on their own. The program’s participants include trans, cis and gender-diverse women living with mental health and addictions, chronic physical health or mobility issues, trauma, cognitive disabilities, poverty, and who are involved in street-based survival sex work. “Indigenous women are prioritized because they should have unrestricted access to their land,” explains Jaime. Many of the participants have lived in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community for years, often since they were teens. “Some have parents and even grandparents who live in similar circumstances in the community. This is the tragic legacy of colonialism and residential school trauma.”

Jaime came up with the idea to start the program in 2011 while working in a women’s transitional housing program in the Downtown Eastside. “I quickly discovered a huge gap in resources available to that vulnerable demographic and knew that I had to do something to support the wellness of those women,” she says.

Forest and the Femme creates a connection to nature for people who would otherwise have none. To keep things accessible, many outings are as simple as a picnic in a beautiful location, such as the bank of a North Shore creek or the shoreline of the Salish Sea. “So much physical and emotional healing and growth can occur in these places simply by being there,” Jaime explains. “We want them to create great memories, feel hopeful, have new stories to tell … recognize their own strength, and feel a part of something bigger than themselves.”



Jaime’s own experience with anxiety and the way being in the outdoors helped her overcome its terrifying hold on her life helps her connect with participants. “I have always found nature to be a healing place for me both in terms of finding resilience for trauma and anxiety and for finding my strength, building courage and changing my narrative around my sense of ability.” She sees similar transformations in the Forest and the Femme participants. “100% of the women surveyed each year reported that the outings helped them to socialize without drugs, to feel good about themselves and engage in more self-care.”

Instead of focusing on their limitations or circumstances, the women support one another, share stories, learn new skills and reconnect with their surroundings. “Nature gives anxiety a place to go and sadness a way out of the body,” says Jaime. “I know that being outdoors makes us strong and resilient, and I also know that those who have faced the most adversity should be able to access that healing.”

**We’re all connected**

Systemic injustice, [mental health](/en/article/why-being-active-outdoors-matters-more-than-ever) issues and personal circumstances make some of us more vulnerable to trauma, grief and loss. But whatever our story, nature therapies such as [*shinrin-yoku*](https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/06/forest-bathing/532068/) (the Japanese practice of forest bathing) and grounding/[earthing](https://earthingcanada.ca/what-is-earthing/) (the idea that direct contact with the earth’s electrical energy promotes physical wellbeing) can provide accessible outdoor self-care. As these practices and programs demonstrate, getting outside can help us recharge and begin to heal on a deeper level.

It starts with warm sun on your face, the sound of wind rushing through the trees, and the first jolt of cool lake water washing over your toes. And this connection to nature, and to one another, is becoming more and more important – for all of us.



### 

*MEC is proud to provide funding and gear donations to Minerva BC’s Indigenous Roots program, the Healing in Nature: Bereavement Network program, and the Forest and the Femme program.*



### Related articles:
- [Why being active outdoors matters more than ever](/en/article/why-being-active-outdoors-matters-more-than-ever)
- [Science says: getting kids outdoors is a game-changer](/en/article/science-says-getting-kids-outdoors-is-a-game-changer)
- [Why we go outdoors](/en/article/why-we-go-outdoors)



Where can you go to heal, grow, and build resilience and strength? These programs all agree: nature is the best destination.

The healing power of the outdoors | MEC Blog

The Healing Power of the Outdoors

Cumberland, BC, is a small town on Vancouver Island known as “the village in the forest,” and once you watch the story below, you’ll understand why.

It’s hard to know what happened first. Did the community come together and protect this forest? Or did the forest help create a community? How ever you look at it, it’s a wonderful story that hopefully inspires other small towns in Canada.



Community Contributions | MTB & Hiking Trails in Cumberland, BC

A big thank you to the village of Cumberland, the Cumberland Community Forest Society and United Riders of Cumberland for inviting us to explore their backyard, mountain bike trails and nature school, and for their extremely warm welcome.



#### Related Articles
- [Science says: getting kids outside is a game-changer](/en/article/science-says-getting-kids-outdoors-is-a-game-changer)
- [How to choose backpacks for kids](/en/explore/packs-for-kids)



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