With Chilcotin Holidays, Kevan has created a business that is not only beneficial for the guests who visit for a vacation, but also for the interns who come to develop themselves in a multitude of ways.
Many interns stay for a few months during the summer season to gain new experiences and acquire different skill sets in a true wilderness setting. Some decide to extend their stay after realizing the potential in themselves and Chilcotin Holidays, wanting to further the opportunity to take initiative and responsibility. Even though most of the interns might be younger people the age varies and so does the level of experience and leadership, creating a great opportunity for everybody to learn from each other.
The process starts before interns arrive in the community as they complete the application process. The first step is the Wilderness Readiness Survey, completed by guests, students and interns alike. This survey helps empower interns as they assess if they are mentally, physically and emotionally ready to join the community. The next step is the Application Questionnaire where potential interns identify their interests, goals and purpose both for their time in the community and in their lives. This is something many people have never thought about and so can be challenging to complete. The final step before arriving at the ranch is to complete the online Our Community Philosophy course which goes into greater depth about the philosophy and provides reflection worksheets and key personal development books to help the new intern assess how they already apply these practices and where they would like to improve.
After what is usually a six hour drive from Vancouver, enjoying spectacular mountain scenery, the new intern arrives at the community and receives a tour of the ranch property. They meet the rest of the community and quickly see how everybody mentors each other, everybody has something to teach and learn. They read the Personal Development binder which provides them with the last few foundational pieces of the community philosophy and introduces them to the 100+ procedure binders which facilitate self-guided learning. This makes the binders an essential part of life in the community, empowering interns to be self-sufficient. The procedures in the binders have been developed over the 30 years Chilcotin Holidays has operated.
Kevan doesn’t take the interns under his wing but gives them opportunities to challenge themselves in all kinds of different ways with the procedures to aid them. An intern’s time with Chilcotin Holidays is all about empowering them to become self-sufficient, responsible, initiative-taking, solution-orientated and make their contribution. A full list of values that interns are encouraged to develop during their time with Chilcotin Holidays can be found at the community website, Trails to Empowerment
With Chilcotin Holidays Kevan hasn’t just created a successful business but a way for people to get to know themselves and discover their life goals and purpose, which will change their lives.
Learn more about Kevan Bracewell’s work:
Chilcotin Holidays, Wilderness Stewardship Foundation, Stewardship Foundation, Trails to Empowerment, Chilcotin Ark Institute, Wilderness Training Academy, Community Mill