C.V.G.S.A.R. Outdoor Survival Education Program

While Search and Rescue are the main functions of our group, we recognize the importance of being proactive through community education. In this regard, in the early eighties, when we were averaging one or two searches per year for lost or missing children, we began talking to schools and children’s groups with an emphasiss on prevention.

In 1984, along with North Vancouver SAR, we were the first groups to offer the original “Hug-A-Tree” Program in Canada. In 1996, this program was taken over by the R.C.M.P. We offer the “Hug-A-Tree” ( HAT ) Program for children ages 4-7. for children ages 8-12, we offer the “Lost in the Woods” Program. Both Programs consist of a short talk and a video and run approximately one hour.

We are happy to report that since the inception of the program, the callouts for “lost” children has decreased, and the awareness to remain in one place when lost, has paid off. Both programs are having some effect and the children have even taken to educating their parents in outdoor safety. Members of Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue continue to volunteer their time to travel and speak to hundreds of children in the Comox Valley each year, visiting schools, beaver, brownies, sparks and scout meetings, or any other groups requesting the program.

For the adults in our community, our group offers an Outdoor Survival Course through the Courtenay Recreation Association (CRA), during the winter, consisting of three evening lectures and a field exercise.

For details and dates please call the CRA at 338-5371.

For more information on our children’s programs or to book a presentation, please call our office at 334-3211 and leave a message for Keith Seguin.

Or you may email us at comoxvalleysar@yahoo.ca

Click here to visit the official R.C.M.P “Hug-A-Tree website”.