Centering Land, People & Place at Sasamat
By Jenna Otto-Wray, Communications & Engagement Director, ANHBC Central Services
Anyone who gets to spend time at Sasamat Outdoor Centre knows that it is a magical, connected and tranquil place - filled with lively campers, leaders and volunteers in the spring and summer months. Sasamat Lake is on the ancestral and stolen territory of the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and Stó:lō (Stolo) Nations, colonially known as Belcarra.
In July 2024, a small group of us visited camp not just to eat their delicious lunch and practice our archery skills (although we did both!), but to learn more and get to know the volunteers of the Wise Owl Older Adult Volunteer Program.
Bev Bakka is the lead organizer and innovator of the program, and was our guide for the day. In 2022 Sasamat received a federal government seniors grant, which is when Bev began having a vision for what would soon become the Wise Owls.
“I had just retired from BC Cancer and the Provincial Health Services Authority, where I worked with volunteers for many years,” shared Bev as we walked through Sasamat’s trails. “I met with Kristen (Executive Director) and Ben (Senior Director) when they had just received the New Horizon Grant, so this was a chance for me to be with what I love - children and the forest.”
Together they came up with the idea of the Wise Owls, a program that recruits older adult (50+) volunteers to share their skills and passions with the campers (6-12) and leaders (youth) alike. From gardening to archery, watercolour painting to astronomy, every Wednesday throughout the summer camping season, the volunteers contribute to Sasamat in profound ways.
Leading up to July, Bev recruits volunteers in her own community of Port Moody, close to Sasamat. She looks for people who are committed to volunteerism and have an altruistic perspective when giving of their time. 
“I ask the Wise Owl volunteers - what are you wise about and what brings you joy? What would you like to share with the campers and leaders, and what would you like to learn from them? I look for kindred spirits who love kids and want to be in the forest.”
The volunteers are encouraged to join the intergenerational community at Sasamat by taking a canoe out for a paddle after their shift, join the team for lunch and by enjoying the trails that circle the lake. The Wise Owl Program believes that the sign of a healthy society is one that is intergenerational, prioritizes connection and works together in reciprocity. The campers, leaders and Wise Owl volunteers all learn from each other, through painting, stargazing, archery and conversation. The program not only lives the values of the Camp, but also ANHBC neighbourhood houses - centering their work in land, people and place.
“I didn’t imagine something like this could happen to me in my retirement,” shared Bev as we were getting ready to leave Sasamat. “We’re all here because we’ve found a purpose. A place like this is full of dreams and it does something to the campers and volunteers that frees them up so they can dream together.”
