River Runners. Photo courtesy Staff Sergeant Dave Schluff, Prince Albert Police
A Prince Albert program that brings youths with different cultural backgrounds out onto the open water, has come to an end for the summer.
The Prince Albert Police’s River Runners program started a decade ago, and focuses on giving young adults a chance to experience something out of the norm.
They paddle 100 kilometres by canoe and kayak over the course of three days, including a trip to Fort Carlton.
The program can take in up to 20 youths between 13 and 20, and this year had at least eight aboriginal participants.
The program is free to participate in, which brings diverse groups of people together.
“Why it’s free for everybody is, we don’t care what a person’s social status is, race, it’s mixed gender, so we get a very wide variety,” said Staff Sergeant Dave Schluff.
There were two different trips that span three days, and the group saw a variety of wildlife and learned the importance of teamwork.
“We try to build them on equal playing field as a team member.”
He said a trip like that has a positive effect on the teens.
“It can be challenging, especially if the weather decides to give you a little more of a challenge. So you have to work together and be part of a team to accomplish that. That’s kind of our objective,” he said.
“Too much free time is sometimes not the best but with this trip, the free time we get we just love because it is a long, long paddle. It’s a long time in a boat, canoeing and kayaking so the free time we do get we sure enjoy.”
The looks of pride on their family’s faces as they return, is something that leaves a mark on Schluff. He said family comments about the program have called it a “life changing” experience.
River Runners take First Aid and other training before the trip, which Schluff points out makes a great resume item.
Without Parkland Health, High Noon Optimists, Community Mobilization Prince Albert, the police union, St. John Ambulance and other sponsors, Schluff said this wouldn’t be possible.