The Coyote Tracks program was developed in response to the ongoing need for more safe and supportive group counselling experiences for male-identifying youth in early adolescence. In this small group environment of 6-8 youth, boys have the chance to reduce social isolation and mental health struggles such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression build their confidence, learn new coping skills, and connect with their love for nature. The skilled mental health practitioners focus on facilitating inclusive experiences, while teaching coping skills and fostering growth in each participant.

Each program day will take place in a different park location, such as Beaver Lake, PKOLS, Thetis Lake, Francis King, and Goldstream. Participants will be outdoors for 4 hours each day, exploring in the elements and connecting to these natural areas.   

The program is suitable for male-identified youth ages 12-15 who experience:

  • Social Isolation
  • Difficulty with social skills
  • ADD/ADHD,
  • Learning disabilities
  • Generalized anxiety
  • Depression

Subsidies for this program are available thanks to the generous support from the Greater Victoria Savings & Credit Union Legacy Fund held at Vancity Community Foundation.

Notea pre-program intake call (usually over Zoom with parent and youth) will be set up with the facilitator to ensure that the program is a good fit for your youth.   Deposits will be refunded if you decide the program won’t be a good fit after all.

 

Our Facilitator: Kostas Zolotas, RCC

As a teenager, Ko was exposed to a variety of outdoor adventures through the magic of summer camps in the Rocky Mountains. While having wonderful and fun, positive experiences, he also found that he was also growing as a person. He noticed that while he was learning the hard skills of what strokes to use in rough waters, he was also learning the soft skills of how to manage fear and anxiety. As he learned to track and sneak up to animals, he learned self-regulation. With knots, came patience. Since this realization, Ko has focused on gaining skills, both hard and soft, to add to his toolbox to walk with others on their healing journeys. This has led him to work with children and youth over the last 15 years through a variety of approaches, from teaching fire by friction on the west coast, to trapeze in Montreal, and everything in between!

He is an enthusiastic, empathic, and playful member of the HNCS team, with a Masters in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria.

 

Payment and Cancellation Policy:

Full payment for the group program is due upon registration. If this is not possible, we offer payment plans. Just contact our Program Manager, Zahura, for more information at [email protected]!

Your program spot is reserved just for you. A late cancellation or a no-show leaves a hole in the program that another client could have filled.

  • Any cancellations made up to four weeks ahead of the program start date will receive a full refund.
  • Any cancellations made within the four weeks ahead of the program start date will receive a 50% refund, unless the spot can be filled, in which case, a full refund minus a 5% administration fee will be offered.
  • No refunds will be made for missed days after the program has started.

Please note that the Coyote Trax programs are highly in demand. Every fall, we prioritize new youth to take part in the program to give them a chance to experience it. If you have already taken part in Coyote Trax and would like to take part again, please let us know and we will add your name to our list for interest; however, we cannot guarantee that you will be given a spot in the program.

For further questions about our Group Programs, please contact Zahura at [email protected].

Program Information

Dates

Biweekly on Saturdays: March 2, 16, April 6, 20, May 4, 18 June 1, 15, 2024

Times

10 AM - 2 PM

Location

Various locations within the CRD

Program Facilitators

Kostas Zolotas, RCC

Fees

$800 for the program, commitment to all 8 days required. *In order to make this program accessible, subsidized rates are available based on household income. See our Counselling Services page and email us for more information.

Registration Information

Coyote Tracks (12-15) Referral Form

General referral form for expressing interest in participating in the Coyote Tracks (12-15) program

Name of person submitting referral
From March 2 - June 15, Coyote Tracks (12-15) will be offered on Saturdays, bi-weekly, from 10am-2pm, for 8 sessions. Can the youth commit to all 8 sessions?