Our 2018 & 2019 Youth Environmental Leadership Expeditions At A Glance
2018 & 2019 Expedition at the Frontenac Arch
We had a fantastic expeditions in 2018 and 2019, exploring the Frontenac Arch in eastern Ontario, Canada. The Frontenac Arch is a special place - one of Canada's biodiversity hotspots and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The coming together of two distinct geological regions and five different forest types has created habitat for a diversity of species. Our home base for our programs was the Queen's University Biology Station (QUBS), near Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Located on Lake Opinicon. QUBS offers the full beauty and diversity of the region, surrounded by deciduous forest, rocky outcrops, and abundant wildlife. Participants loved being at QUBS. They loved being on the lake, living in a cottage surrounded by forest, and getting out of bed in the morning to head over to the dining hall for breakfast.
our accommodation for the program is one of the cottages on the queen’s university biology station (QUBS) on lake opinicon.
Nothing beats s’mores around the campfire on the shore of lake opinicon.
QUBS, on Lake Opinicon, was our home base. We explored the lake, swam, took a Safe Paddling Certification course, a boat tour of the lake and hiked around the area. We explored the area via day trips, to learn about the Frontenac Arch and to photograph it and shoot video. We learned about the geology and biology of the Frontenac Arch, while hiking the trails of Charleston Provincial Park.
kayaking and canoeing and exploring lake opinicon
JOrdan, talking with our guest speaker - professional photographer, grant stirtion - about composition and how to make images with impact
learning self rescue and how to empty a canoe while in the middle of the lake. Tons of fun! part of our safe paddling certificate.
Learning about and actually practicing leadership and team work is what we do. here, participants are doing the floating stick exercise.
participants interview and film biology researchers from queen’s university who are studying the impacts of climate change on lakes. This footage became part of their mini-documentary project.
we have our meals in the qubs dining hall. the good is great! have a dietary restriction? not a problem. Qubs’ wonderful kitchen staff accommodate our needs.
participants work together on the group film project. it involves storyboarding, script writing, shot planning, editing, and production.
zip-lining has been a part of our past expeditions. it’s a ton of fun, a great way to spend a day, and a great way to push ourselves outside of our comfort zone.
participants take the lead on planning their mini-documentary film.
Dr. Shelley Ball teaching participants about how to make videos with impact. we learn how to connect with different audiences.
Photographing at Charleston Lake provincial park.
we watch award-winning environmental documentaries to learn about environmental issues, but also to learn the craft of documentary film-making. here we were watching anote’s ark.
film editing. we use an imac and either premier pro or final cut pro.
being on a beautiful lake gives us lots of opportunity for swimming.
Guest speakers share their expertise and experience on visual storytelling with us.
leadership exercises give participants hands-on learning. it also helps to connect participants and build friendships.
Who is the Youth Environmental Leadership Expedition program for?
This is a program for youth who want to learn about environmental and conservation issues and who want to develop their leadership skills so that they can help to create a sustainable future for our planet and people. For youth, age 15-19, our program uses a unique approach to environmental education. We teach participants the tools of visual storytelling (photography and filmmaking) as a way to engage them in learning about environmental and conservation issues. It also teaches them the skills of visual storytelling and helps them to become ambassadors for the environment. No prior photography or video experience is needed. We'll teach participants National Geographic-style photography, video production, and help them to tell the story about an environmental or conservation issue that captivates them and then we help them to share their photos and video with the world. In this way, they become ambassadors for the environment. Participants work together to create a mini-documentary film so that they can practice their creative and technical visual storytelling skills and produce a communications piece that they can use to inform and educate.
Watch BlueLife, the film created and produced by our 2019 Youth Environmental Leadership Expedition participants.
Leadership and Communication are Essential Components of the Youth Environmental Leadership Expedition
Team building and leadership are also elements that are woven into our expedition. We believe that developing self-confidence and leadership skills are important elements of our personal and professional growth. Regardless of what career you choose, being an effective leader is a key component of success. Another key component of success is our ability to communicate. Communication happens in a variety of different ways. Our focus is on visual communication - through photography and video - but we also want to help participants learn presentation skills so that they can share their photos and videos with the world.
