Northern College hosts third annual Indigenous Youth Summer Camp

Northern College, Hydro One and District School Board Ontario North East hosted the third-annual Lightning Trail summer retreat camp for Indigenous youth at Northern’s Timmins Campus this week.

Campers arrived at Northern College Timmins Campus on Sunday, August 9 and returned home on Friday, August 14, 2015 after a full week of varied camp activities.

Lightning Trail is an educational camp that explores both college-based trades and technology subjects as well as traditional local Indigenous teachings. Nearly 50 local First Nation, Métis and Inuit students between the ages of 13 and 18 are attending.

“Since hosting the first Lightning Trail in 2013, we’ve seen countless youth strengthening their confidence and leadership skills, and we’ve introduced many participants to fields that they’re now determined to pursue professionally,” says Jaret Dicks, Manager, Admissions, Student Recruitment and International Office at Northern College. “We’re very pleased to be able to continue to offer this inspiring program to local Indigenous youth.”

Camp participants attended hands-on workshops focused on college-based trades and technology subjects, including carpentry, electronics, heavy equipment mechanics, and mining and civil engineering technology.

A variety of cultural activities complimented the camp’s academic content, including the sharing of wisdom on the seven grandfather teachings, sacred fire, rites of passage and the drum. The Nish Olympics, a popular series of team-building exercise created by youth leaders at the first-ever Lightning Trail camp, also made a return appearance.

“Creating new opportunities for Indigenous youth is an important part of our commitment to increasing access to education for Indigenous learners,” says Fred Gibbons, President of Northern College. “We’re hopeful that Lightning Trail 2015 has inspired another cohort of participants to pursue the many fruitful careers available in the trades and technology fields.”

Applications for Lightning Trail 2016 will be available early next year. For more information about the event, visit northernc.on.ca/lightningtrail or email lightningtrail@northern.on.ca