The drive of a volunteer, an appreciation of her surroundings, and a husband who mountain bikes led Ratna Das to bring "Trips for Kids" to Squamish in an attempt to allow all youth in town experience what their surroundings had to offer.
An American program, "Trips for Kids" has the goal of providing mountain bike outings and environmental education for low-income youth.
When Das moved to Squamish from Manitoba she thought there was an opportunity for the program to take place in town.
"When I moved to Squamish I couldn't believe how beautiful and amazing it was, and the amount of outdoor pursuits taking place. At the same time mountain bike equipment is expensive and I just thought it was unfair that all kids didn't have access to what was in their backyards," she said. "There was a real opportunity in Squamish for the program to take place."
As a mental health clinician for Ministry of Child and Family Development, Das believes they are benefits for youth who participate in outdoor pursuits and recreation. With this in mind as well as the influence of her husband who is an avid mountain biker, Das and other volunteers organized 10 mountain bikes for youth to use in Squamish.
"The are a lot of benefits for kids from recreational therapy. Mountain biking has a huge protective factor against drug use, crimedropping out of high school. It has mentoring aspects as well. Youth are connected with mentoring adults and older youth involved in the activities."
After starting the program in 2000, the second of its kind in Canada, Das has been slowly and steadily reaching out to kids in Squamish who need bikes. The group currently goes out once a month, with adult volunteers as well as a certified mountain bike guide, take youth on a rides in Squamish.
"This summer we are hoping to reach more kids who need the program," she said. "There are so many kids I would like to be able to reach them all."
Das said the idea of volunteering as something in her nature.
"My first volunteer job was at crisis line. I have chosen a helping profession. I have just always thought it was important to be helping someone less than you," she said. "There are so many different ways to help kids and this is just one of them. It doesn't make sense to me that the sport is available to some kids and not others."
