Fort Nelson First Nation school is taking a different approach to summer camp with ‘Welding and Well-Being’

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) is taking a unique approach to youth programs in the summer.

FNFN’s Chalo School will host ‘Welding and Well-being’ throughout the school’s summer break for local Indigenous youth ages 15 to 30, featuring go-kart instruction from scratch to a finished machine.

The program is in partnership with the Construction Foundation of B.C (CFBC), which will have representatives on hand in the latter half of the program.

James Wedrat, the trades instructor at Chalo School, has been involved in the summer programs for the past three years.

Wedrat said the decision to build go-karts builds “on the hype” of the school’s first-ever entry in the Edison Motors EV Challenge in Donald earlier in June.

“For the first year, we did a little bit of trade exploration,” said Wedrat. “Last year we introduced welding and well-being, so it was a chance for them to learn foundational welding skills, as well as focus on some personal growth and interpersonal skills.”

“This year is a continuation of that. I have wanted [to build] go-karts with the kids for a while. It is something the kids are interested in up here. They like engines [and] like going fast.”

Throughout the four-week program, camp participants will learn to read and interpret go-kart plans, build the frame, develop basic mechanical skills, and more.

They will have the chance to choose a gas or an electric engine for their machines and earn a stipend for each day completed, along with meals and transportation provided courtesy of CFBC. 

Parts of the course will include Lisa Scott, Apprenticeship Promotion and Progression Catalyst with CFBC, and Michelle Canaday, Director of First Nations Initiatives with CFBC.

“[Canaday] has developed a program called Wayfinder,” said Wedrat. “It is about learning more about yourself and setting healthy boundaries [and] how to identify healthy relationships.”

“It was super beneficial last year to do it with the group throughout the process, because they all learn and bond together throughout it.”

Wedrat said that, more than anything else, the Welding and Well-Being program builds participants’ confidence as they move forward, whether in another trades program or entering the workforce.

Welding and Well-Being is open to Indigenous youth aged 15-30 and will take place from Monday, July 13th, until Friday, August 7th, run Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout the four weeks.

Preference will be given to FNFN youth who are members of the First Nation.

Those interested can email Wedrat at james.wedrat@chaloschool.bc.ca