Over the course of four weeks, the Nak’azdli Health Centre used its Winter Wellness Grant to roll out its ‘2016 Winter Survivor Challenge.’ Utilizing the great outdoors, setting quality time aside for friends and family, adding an edge of competition and a splash of creativity, the event proved to be a recipe for a ton of fun for over 60 participants. Stepping outside their comfort zone, Health Centre staff hosted a number of outdoor challenges, which they promoted on their Facebook page each Monday:
Week One
• Challenge – Climb to 3 km mark on the Mt. Pope Trail, an uphill climb.
– Mini Challenge – Random Act of Kindness – Participants each had to go into the community and perform a Random Act of Kindness.
Week Two
• Challenge – Set night lines for ling cod.
– Mini Challenge – Teams go to the local arena for public skating.
Week Three
• Challenge – Build your snowshoes and participate in a relay race.
– Mini Challenge – ‘Where is Cebo?’ – Pictures were posted on the Facebook page of co-organizer Cebo in and around Nak’azdli. Participants had to figure out where the picture was taken and then recreate the photo.
Week Four
• Challenge – Either go cross country skiing or downhill skiing.
– Mini Challenge – Sing a song in front of Petro Canada – a very busy and Nak’azdli-owned gas station. Bonus points were granted for solos!
Whether it was setting night lines for ling cod or snowshoeing for the first time in many seasons, the challenges brought the community together, enabling participants to learn more about their teammates, town and themselves. Many thanks are sent out to Cebo and Renada for creating such a great event – the community can’t wait for next year.
"What I gained from this experience: Amazement for what I can fit in when I make it a priority, a reminder of how important to my wellbeing to it is to be outside and to play with friends/family, and finally, time with my amazing daughter."
"WOW I HAD SOOOOO MUCH FUN THIS WINTER CHALLENGE, musi Ren and Cebo. I think I have gone above and beyond, this time and gone waaaaay out of my comfort zone, the singing I think was my favorite. I’ve never gone ice fishing before so that in itself was a great experience to learn. And the hike up mt pope was easier than in the summer, my kids had a blast with me during that challenge. Thanks again to my team mates and to Ren and Cebo." – Melissa
In week one, teams had to gather their team members and snowshoe up Mt. Pope Trail which is a 6 km climb. Snowshoers were challenged to climb to the 3 km mark. Points were granted if completed as a team.
In week two, participants had to learn how to set a night line for ling cod. They had all week to set and catch a fish. Bonus points were granted if a fish was caught and if they sat as a team and ate the meal. Two teams were able to reel one in.
"Yummmmm fish and chips!"
In week three, teams had to construct their own snowshoes and they had a week to build them. Teams gathered at the end of the week to participate in a four-person relay race.
"Very fun!"
In week four, teams had to ski, either downhill or cross country. Many participants had not skied before or hadn’t in a very long time.