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DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE - An internationally recognized award is leading to new opportunities for students in Fort Providence.

In March, Greg Reardon, the outdoor education teacher at Deh Gah school, plans to lead a group of approximately 12 students on a five-day ski trek from the Axe Point camp to Fort Providence.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award group in Fort Providence including, from left, back row: Destiny Thom, Lynette Sabourin, Preston Sabourin, Nathan Canadien, Jeremy Landry, Kyle Canadien and Dwight McLeod; front row: Megan Antoine, Jeannine Minoza, Erin Sullivan and Shiana Sabourin check out some of the new equipment they will use during their first camp. - photo courtesy of Greg Reardon

During the trip the students will carry their own supplies for the day while snowmobiles transport the larger items like tents.

The expedition is one part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a program that Reardon is promoting in Fort Providence and the rest of the Deh Cho.

The award program is open to youth ages 14 to 25.

Its goal is to help youth become well-rounded individuals by encouraging their participation in activities they already enjoy and ones they haven't tried yet, said Reardon.

The award is currently active in more than 120 countries around the world.

"There's a lot of opportunities there, it's just a matter of pursuing them and organizing them," said Reardon.

In Fort Providence, a group of 12 students started the award in December.

The program has three levels, bronze, silver and gold. The students are starting at bronze where they're required to complete 15 hours of community service, 30 hours of physical recreation, develop a personal skill and go on an adventurous journey.

If they all stick with it, they'll be finished the six-month program by June, said Reardon.

"The great thing about the award is it's so flexible and it meets what peoplewant to do," he said.

The students can choose where they volunteer, what types of physical activities they do and what skills they want to learn.

Some of the students have chosen to learn how to play the fiddle or the guitar while Preston Sabourin has opted to join the community's volunteer fire department.

The adventurous journey component of the program is one of Reardon's favourites.

While working through the award himself between the ages of 14 to 24, Reardon said he developed an interest in a lot of different things including expedition planning.

To prepare this group of students for the five-day expedition, Reardon will be taking them on a series of camps that are designed to develop their outdoor skills.

The first camp, which will be held at the Axe Point camp along Highway 1 from Jan. 20 to 23, will include an introduction to basic camping equipment and first aid certification.

Students will also explore the area on snowshoes and build a snow shelter and have the option of sleeping in it.

Students from other Deh Cho communities, including Nahanni Butte and Fort Simpson have been invited to the camp.

Reardon would like to see the Duke of Edinburgh Award program expand across the Deh Cho.

The promise of the expedition is what drew Ben Vandell, 15, to the program.

"I like the outdoors," said Vandell, a student in Fort Providence.

Vandell, who would like to pursue a career as an outdoor guide, said the camps will teach him new skills and the award will look good on his resume.

"I'd say it's a pretty good program. I like it," said Vandell.