Riddell attributes the change to two things: removing the stigma of seeking out “outreach services” by changing the name to something more welcoming, and promoting Jasper Life’s services to employers who can get brochures and information to the transient young adults in town, who might not otherwise find out about the program.
“I sell the Jasper Life program to employers as part of their retention strategy, really. Because if their staff enjoy Jasper and if they’re staff are happy, then they’re staff are probably going to stay until the end of the season,” said Riddell.
Part of that sell is hand delivering brochures and posters to 60 to 70 employers each month. The brochures come out at the beginning of each month and highlight all of the events for that month, both ones organized by Jasper Life and ones that are happening in the community.
The most popular Jasper Life program is the Mountain Adventure Club, which gives young adults the opportunity to explore the park in a safe and organized way. Some of the club’s winter activities include ice climbing, ski touring, CAT skiing and cross-country skiing.
“It’s about offering healthy, balanced lifestyle options, because otherwise youth could argue that it’s not an option here,” said Riddell, noting that without a car, Jasper is an isolating place to live. “You can’t even go to Edith Cavell; you can’t even go to Pyramid Lake. You can manoeuvre around town, but when you don’t have a vehicle, it’s very limited what you can do. That’s why we have so much partying here, because what else are you going to do?”
So, the Mountain Adventure Club provides young adults with the transportation they need to make the best of their time in town, while also providing adventures at a affordable price. Beyond that, said Riddell, the club also gives young adults an opportunity to connect with new people in town.
“One complaint I always get from young adults is they work, party, sleep with, do everything with the same people, so it’s like, ‘How cool was it to meet three other young adults in town that you otherwise wouldn’t have met?’” she said, referring to the people you could meet while out on an adventure.
The average number of participants for the Mountain Adventure Club outings is seven, although it can get up as high as 10. Riddell said that’s an ideal size because it encourages everyone to mingle and get to know one another, whereas, if the group is larger, it’s easier for cliques for form.
Cam Hickling of Australia, who has participated in multiple ice climbing adventures since he arrived in Jasper last month, said the program has been a great way to meet new people and stay active.
The 21-year-old liftie at Marmot Basin connected with Jasper Life after only two weeks in town. “I had never been ice climbing before and I hadn’t been able to find anyone who was willing to take me, so it was a good way to just go for $100 day,” he said of his experience climbing Edge of the World. “I was surprised how much I got out of it.”
After that first climbing trip, Hickling immediately signed up for another one and after his second at Tangle Falls, he was already planning how he’d be able to go again.
“Jasper Life has been really good for organizing the events,” he said. “It’s awesome.”
Hickling is the perfect example of what the program is for, said Riddell. He’s new to town. He’s here without transportation. He’s enthusiastic about making the best of his stay in Jasper, and he’s looking for options outside of the bar scene.
Of course, the Jasper Life program doesn’t only focus on outdoor adventures, though. There are also meditation sessions on Tuesday nights with Adult Outreach Worker Patrick Mooney. There are photography and cooking workshops, and there is a Stitch ‘N Bitch group that meets Wednesday nights at the Community and Family Services office on Patricia Street.
Through all of Jasper Life’s programs, Riddell said, she and Ryan Verge, Jasper’s other young adult outreach worker, are making the outreach office more accessible and comfortable for Jasper’s young adults.
“So, people are using the Jasper Life banner to feel OK about coming in here now, which is cool, because no young adults were coming before,” she said, noting that now when people come in to sign up for activities they stick around for a chat, giving Riddell and Verge an opportunity to find out how those people doing.
“So that’s how we build that outreach in,” she said.
To learn more about Jasper Life’s programs, pick up a brochure in the coffee shops around town or visit the office at 627 Patricia St. You can also find information on the Jasper Life Facebook page.
