Eco-Action in Motion: Retreat Highlights

Twice a year, Ocean Wise welcomes a new cohort of participants to our Eco-Action Accelerator (EAA) program. This 16-week long microgrant program is designed to help Canada Service Corps (CSC) alumni scale their ocean and environment-related service projects and produce expansion plans that focus on the long-term sustainability of the project. EAA consists of interconnected components that support the development and delivery of grantee service projects: a three-day in-person retreat, entrepreneurial workshops and regular mentorship with a program coach. The in-person retreat is a key piece of the program…but what does it look like? Our most recent retreat happened earlier this month, and here’s what we got up to!

Day 1

Participants travelled across Canada to our destination, Camp Fircom on Gambier Island in B.C. Upon arrival, we got set up in our accommodations and jumped into community building activities to get to know each other. Setting our intentions for the weekend ahead is a key part of the first day!

Day 2

On our second day of the retreat, we took a deep dive into our projects and learnings. One of our main focuses of the day was on positionality and Indigenous learnings. A highlight for everyone was the guided ethnobotany walk, a nature walk that focuses on the relationship between people and plants – specifically how local Indigenous peoples use native plants for food, medicine, and other cultural purposes.

That afternoon, our Communications Specialist Kim led a workshop on identifying and engaging with a target audience. And in the evening, our Indigenous Knowledge Coordinator Amy hosted a session for participants about positionality. This led to a thoughtful discussion on how social and political identity impacts projects.

After a full day of learning and discussions, we gathered around the bonfire and celebrated with s’mores!

Day 3

We started off the third day by the ocean. Camp Fircom is in an incredible setting right by the water, and we wanted to make the most of it! Our Program Specialist Kaja hosted an intertidal walk where youth were able to experience an intertidal zone and learn hands-on about the incredible wildlife along the coast of B.C. Youth discovered seaweed, crabs, starfish and more!

The afternoon was filled with project networking, an important opportunity to learn from each other. Facilitators took part in a decolonization workshop and spoke about dismantling colonial structures within their own projects.

Day 4

After goodbyes over breakfast, we travelled home! Another incredible Eco-Action Accelerator retreat for the books. We can’t wait to see how participants’ projects continue to grow. 

Camp Fircom is geographically located on the South East corner of Chá7elkwnech (Gambier Island) in Átl’ḵa7tsem (Howe Sound). Chá7elkwnech lies in the unceded, traditional and ancestral territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation).