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A Whistler for everyone

Whistler-Blackcomb youth program brings city kids to the mountains Some of the 300 kids taking part in Whistler-Blackcomb’s Inner Vancouver City Community Outreach Program this year have never been to the resort before.

Whistler-Blackcomb youth program brings city kids to the mountains

Some of the 300 kids taking part in Whistler-Blackcomb’s Inner Vancouver City Community Outreach Program this year have never been to the resort before.

Some have never even been outside of Vancouver.

Since 1998, Whistler Blackcomb has been bringing groups of youth up to Whistler on day trips through various Vancouver community centres. The outings give kids that are at an economic disadvantage a chance to experience the mountain community for themselves.

"The vision is that no youth should be economically excluded from experiencing Whistler," said Arthur DeJong, the manager of mountain planning and environmental resources for Whistler-Blackcomb.

"The goal is to bring them here and get them to do as many activities as possible, in the hopes they might become impassioned to a new activity.

"Kids need things in life that are positive, and this can give some of them some goals and set them moving in a positive direction."

Activities include alpine hikes, mini golf, the luge at the base of Blackcomb, a small zip line, and ATV and Humvee tours through Canadian Snowmobile Adventures. They are provided with lunch and dinner, as well as transportation to and from Whistler.

The program started in early July and winds up next week with kids from the B.C. Fire Fighters Burn Camp.