Meet Our Camp-mates

Yesterday you saw our camp, now you need to meet our camp-mates!!

First let me explain a bit about why we are here. Michael (my husband) is, among other things, an outdoor writer, and was commissioned to visit “Driftwood Valley Outfitters” and report on some special work that they are doing with indigenous youth from the Takla Indian Nation. I will tell you more about it as the trip progresses.

This is Michael Schneider…..

He is German born and immigrated to Canada decades ago. He is a hunting outfitter and has a heart for the First-Nation boys who fall between the cracks. Most of these young men come from hard family situations and are in need of male role models to look up to. They are often living with their grandmothers and often have no interest in a traditional school, and are potentially headed into bad situations.

The idea is to get them out onto the land, teach them respect for people and nature, respect for their “First Nation” heritage and teach skills that they can use as their life goes on.

The program is highly supported by the Takla Elders and leadership. They see that Michael is making a difference among the boys that he takes under his wing.

Michael is helped in camp by Tamara…..

She is from Switzerland and has worked with Michael for 11 years. She can do anything….from cooking, to truck repair, to splitting wood, to taxidermy!! As we talked, she said that she had always loved being outside and working with her hands and that this was the perfect job for her.

There are currently three young men in camp with us. The fourth is back in Prince George, sitting his high school exams!!

This is Tye…..

…..Derek….

….and Mason…..

Tye and Derek are 15 years old and Mason will be 15 soon.

The boys spend approximately 200 days each year with Michael, split between various camps that Michael works from. He also takes them on trips to other parts of the world so that they can see other opportunities that are out there.

I am looking forward to telling you more about their journey in the next posts……

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Michael and I love to travel and see new parts of the world and then I love to take those memories and turn them into quilts!!! I hope that you enjoy traveling along with us!!

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