AADAC (Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission) is usually thought of as an agency that helps people identify and deal with problems of substance abuse. By that association, people would not expect AADAC to be involved with a young girls summer camp. But it is.
Outback Power Pack is a weeklong camp for girls going into Grades 7, 8, and 9. Billed as a self-discovery camp, its mission is to provide programming that allows young women to explore who they are and to use those discoveries to guide them.
AADAC area supervisor Mona Johnson says the camp has operated for the past nine summers. “It’s all about building resilient young women and helping them develop good coping and problem solving skills,” she says. “Without them, kids sometimes get into difficulties, not just in areas of addiction, but life in general.”
Held at Camp He Ho Ha (Health Hope and Happiness), the camp can be an important place for young girls in a time of the life when their sense of self often takes a backseat.
“The way I’ve always looked at it, is that up to the age of 11, girls usually know what they want in life and believe that they will get there,” says Johnson. “When they turn 12 or 13, things totally change. Everything is now based on what everybody else wants – friends, the media, etc. We spend a week with them helping them learn a little bit about who they are and what they need to do to stay on that path.”
Emily Chance and Simone McGurk have each gone to Outback Power Pack. They both look forward to going again because they have a lot of fun when they are there.
“You really get to meet a lot of different people and the activities are new and fun,” Emily says.” There’s lots of fun things to do with you friends,” adds Simone.
Activities like swimming are probably just about exercising and having fun. Canoeing, organized sports, and arts and crafts teach elements of teamwork and communication. An event like the high rope course directly challenges girls to overcome fears.
“It’s quite tough,” says Emily.
Participants challenge their fear of heights by climbing and walking on ropes while dealing with various obstacles before taking a quick ride down a zip line.
“The first year, I couldn’t do it,” Simone admits. “I only went as far as the tires. The second year, I finished the course and it felt great.”
“It leaves you with a strong sense of accomplishment,” Emily says.
The camp runs from Aug. 6th through 10th and transportation to and from the camp is included in the $100 price tag.
“That’s $50 less than last year,” says Johnson, adding that it would not be possible without strong community support. “We do lots of fundraising and have good community partners.”
Johnson says the camp also incorporates a few junior leaders, girls going into Grade 11 or 12 with a strong sense of self to help steer the younger girls.
“They serve as role models for out little people,” Johnson adds.
The deadline for registration is July 27 at the Town office with a training day for junior leaders on Aug. 2.

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