It is hard to get a hold of Zack Hemstreet and Eland Bronstein during the summer and the early fall. They are both busy harvesting and getting ready for the winter. But for the Pass it On Boys program, they gladly make time every Friday; as they not only share a passion for farming but for working with youth as well.

Zack and his wife Molly founded Bullock Lake Farm twelve years ago. They have run their farm for the last ten years predominantly as a Community Supported Agriculture farm, bringing a variety of opportunities, programs, classes, and events to the community of Salt Spring Island. “We heard that the Pass it On Boys program was looking for a home and we were just branching out to education-related programs, like summer camps, workshops and field trips, through our new association Neighbourhood Farm Schools”, says Zack.

Although daily life on the farm keeps them busy, Zack and Molly gladly make time for the educational programs on the farm. “Molly and I have this vision for our farm and we are both passionate to add this extra complex layer to our workload,” he continues. “Luckily, we get a lot of help from our family to realize our dream of being a farm that has tight connections with the community. Pass it On Boys came at the right place at the right moment.”

Eland grew up on Salt Spring and returned to the island in 2012 to help run Duck Creek Farm with his family. When he was asked to partner up with Zack to facilitate the Pass it on Boys program, he didn’t have to think long. “When I was young, I loved being part of sports teams, I was really motivated by working together as a group,” says Eland who played soccer at Capilano University. “I always have been interested in working with youth and intergenerational mentor work. We can learn so much about ourselves through conversations with people at different stages of life. That part of the program really drew me in.”

Bullock Lake Farm is a produce and flower farm spanning 24 acres of rolling pastures, wetland, historic orchards and forest. It offers a playful and dynamic landscape for participants to engage with the outdoors, practice new skills, and develop a sense of belonging through team building, acts of service, and connection to the local food system. Zack: “There are so many small learning opportunities on the farm that requires a lot of patience and can breed a lot of frustration. It is a perfect way to learn how to deal with those emotions.  Small things can be so powerful.”

His favourite activity with the Pass it On program last year is the obstacle course. “We do a lot of physical games,” he continues. “We’ve built a mountain bike course, we prepare food together, and overall, just have a lot of laughs.”

Next to the games and activities, there is also time for conversations. The group has covered many topics last year. “Like videogames, or sports, but also trust, empathy, boundaries, consent, and healthy relationships,” says Eland. “The boys often have questions that sometimes lead them to conversations. We create a safe space so they can talk about anything they like, but they don’t have to. It is often generalized that boys or men, can’t talk about their feelings. We are trying to break that stigma.”

Zack: “The guidance and emotional support in navigating complex issues, shown not only by us as facilitators, but also by the participants for each other, gives me hope for the future."

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Shelly, could you tell us a little bit about yourself before we start?

I am the principal at Salt Spring Elementary, and I have been a supporter of The Circle for some time now. There’s been programming in my school that’s been well received over the years. And my son Liam is in the Pass It On Boys program.

Can you speak to some of the impacts that Liam’s participation in the program has had on his social-emotional well-being? Has he developed any new skills? What are the best lessons or takeaways that the programming has to offer?

It’s been really great for him. He has made a strong connection with the facilitator of the program last year. The facilitator is musical, and so is Liam. Their connection has inspired Liam to continue to do things with music; write music and play music. It’s been a positive mentorship for him. I have also noticed that his confidence and self-esteem have increased. His focus has become better since being involved. Not only have there been mental health benefits, but physical ones as well. The program has provided him with a chance to run around outside, play games, and be active with his buddies, without a lot of expectations. Liam is not very athletic, and he would say that to you himself! If he was on the soccer team, for example, he would feel a lot of pressure to be good. In Pass It On, there is less expectation of performance or achievement; they are just there to have fun and connect. That has been a great benefit for youth like my son, who would usually rather be on a couch with an iPad instead. Especially this year with a pandemic, to have something available socially for kids when a lot of other programming was canceled, has been vital.

And where do you see these changes in Liam’s social-emotional well-being having the biggest impact on his life? At home, his relationships, his school performance?

I would say it has impacted him in all of those spheres. The new connections he has made through the program and the strengthening of some of his existing connections have been really good for his relationships. That also improves things at home because he’s happier when he’s involved in a program like this. He did very well this year in school and as I mentioned, his focus has improved so this program could be attributed to that. It has helped his musical performances and led to his decision to stay in the school band. Generally, he is feeling better about himself.

We live on Salt Spring Island, which is a rural area with a population of about 10,000 people. What are the impacts of rural living on your child’s development? What are the gifts? What are the challenges?

One gift is that this is a safe place to grow up. Even in the sense of the pandemic this year, Salt Spring was a safe place to be. There are so many things to do outside and plenty of recreational activities, like going for a hike or a bike ride. He’s known some kids his whole life; I was in maternity class with their parents before he was born! Some of those kids are in Pass It On with him. But one of the biggest challenges is that there aren’t so many opportunities for kids. There are only so many other kids their age to interact with. Another challenge is that the kids don’t grow up with a worldly perspective. And they don’t know how to be street smart. It is something they will have to learn when they leave.

Do social-emotional programs, like those offered by The Circle, help to counteract some of the challenges that you have highlighted?

Oh, definitely. It provides a forum for kids to get together. Liam has had the opportunity to connect with kids his age outside of school, forge some new connections, as well as deeper friendships with some of the kids that he already knew in the program. He also got to meet some older kids and the mentors, which he probably never would have had any interaction with otherwise. That’s been really positive.

You have a unique perspective as both a parent of a youth in our programming and as an educator. Taking the latter perspective, have you noticed similar feedback from other kids, parents, or teachers about the positive impacts of social-emotional programming?

I will speak to the Empathy Project that has gone on here at Salt Spring Elementary. I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback about the program. The teachers tell me that it’s wonderful. I think it’s fantastic to have social-emotional programs like this available in schools. Not all teachers are comfortable teaching a program like this on their own or have had the opportunity to be trained to deliver this kind of programming, so the work The Circle is doing is unique and vital. We appreciate having that available to our students.

Have you personally benefited from social-emotional learning or education in your own life?

My job is very much a people job. I’m constantly learning about others and building my resiliency and my skills in that area. It makes me better at what I do. I have often taken workshops and read books and articles about social-emotional learning. This learning improves my own personal and professional life. It’s important for everyone.

Thank you so much for your time today. Is there anything else important that you’d like to add?

The Circle does fantastic work and I wish you all the best. I’m happy to continue both my professional and personal connection to the organization. Good luck to you!

Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash

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Why did you decide to join Pass It On?

Ewan Holmes: One of my friends asked me to join him. I knew we would be able to hang out, so I thought, why not? 

Kai Nash: For me, my mom’s a facilitator for The Circle. She said, “Kai, join Pass It On because you’re not doing anything anyway.” So, I said, Okay, sure!

What did you first expect when you joined? How did your experience compare to your expectations?

KN: I expected the program to be more serious with a focus on teaching young men skills. It actually turned out to be more about having thoughtful discussions that are relaxed and fun! 

EH: When I was learning about the program, the facilitators put a lot of emphasis on board games and other sit-down activities. When I started the program, I learned that the program was really more about doing physical and mental activities and having thoughtful conversations. 

What is important to you or what are you interested in? How does Pass It On fit into those interests?

KN: I like reading, playing video games, and playing board games. I like having fun and hanging out with friends. In the program, we have a lot of fun. We’ve played games, and I’ve made friends through this program. So, that fits into those interests. 

EH: I also like reading and playing video games, and doing things outside, like dirt biking. In Pass It On, we do a lot of outdoor activities, and I enjoy that a lot. Being able to have somewhere to go and run around with your friends is so important. And being able to learn together, too. One of the facilitators is really into nature, and he teaches us about it. 

What is your favourite thing about Pass It On?

EH: That’s a hard one, I really have a lot of fun! My favourite thing about it is probably the social environment that it creates. Especially with COVID-19 restrictions, we can’t hang out with our friends that much. So, getting that time every week has been helpful for my mental health and has been really fun. 

KN: I like that it is a friendly get-together. There’s no pressure to do anything. And you feel like you can be yourself. 

What is your least favourite thing about Pass It On? 

EH: This isn’t necessarily a bad thing but sometimes it can get a little awkward when we talk about controversial topics like masculinity or women’s rights. We do an exercise where we’re randomly assigned to groups that are either for or against a certain topic and then we have to debate it. It gets awkward when you are assigned a side that is the opposite of how you really feel.

What is the most important thing you have learned about yourself in Pass It On?

KN: That if I give myself a chance, I am a lot more than I think I am. I used to think I was really shy or that I wasn’t good at making friends. Now, I’m not as shy as I was, and I’ve made friends. I thought that it was going to be hard for me to fit in, but it’s actually not very hard. 

EH: For me, before Pass It On I didn’t think that I was capable of letting my emotions show. But within the group, it is accepted. I’ve learned that I can express myself without anybody judging me. 

Have you learned any new skills in Pass It On? If so, what are they? 

EH: I have learned to be a bit more sympathetic towards other people. That hasn’t ever been one of my strong suits in life, I will admit. When I hear others who have similar issues to me, I find myself being able to say, “Oh, I feel your pain.” Once you practise this on a weekly basis, it becomes natural. And I’ve also gotten better at Capture the Flag!

What is special about Pass It On? 

EW: I think Pass It On is special because it is a combination of being relaxed and having structure. It is a balance that I’ve never really experienced in any other group. Usually, groups either have too much structure so that it is stuffy and uncomfortable, or it’s too relaxed that it becomes chaotic. The facilitators do a really good job of keeping that balance. They’re doing a great job to keep everything fun but also still getting us to learn some stuff.

KN: I agree, Pass It On is a place where you can go just to relax and hang out with your friends. No one expects anything of you. 

AM: What is your favourite memory from Pass It On? 

KN: Recently, we climbed up a mountain and took a group photo at the top, which was pretty fun. 

EH: For me, I can’t really pin down one exact time. But there have been a couple of sessions that have been super fun the whole way through. I think the jokes and the funny situations that sometimes arise are probably my favourites. We have a couple of guys in our group that are really, really funny. They’ve made some pretty hilarious jokes that we’ve all laughed at for a long time. Also, we’ve had some Capture the Flag games, that have been so much fun.

How do you think you have changed since your first day of Pass It On?

KN: I would say I am more open. I have a bit more confidence than I did before. And I think it’s easier for me to talk to people.

EH: I have learned to show more sympathy for others and some other important social skills that I didn’t have before, like showing emotion. I’ve also become more comfortable spending time outside. I enjoy spending time outside, but I don’t do it very often. Being in Pass It On has helped me get back into it and has reminded me how much I used to love being outside when I was a kid before I got into video games.

Would you recommend Pass It On to someone who is interested in joining? 

EH: I would 100% recommend Pass It On. I have already recommended it to a couple of my friends so they can share the fun. The program doesn’t demand a lot from you as school does. It’s more like you’re getting a lot out of it. You get to hang out, have fun, and learn some stuff. And that’s why I would recommend it to anybody who is interested in joining.

KN: I would also totally recommend it. It’s a nice little thing that we all do together. As I said before, it’s chill. It’s fun. There are almost no drawbacks to it. 

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Promoting Healthy Relationships at The Circle

Here at The Circle, all of our programs are built around the core principles of SEL to work towards safer communities.

• We offer the Empathy Project for Grade 3, 4, and 5 students to provide them with the building blocks of social–emotional learning.
• For Grades 6, 7, and 8, the Respect Project offers students the opportunity to get to know one another better and learn about the foundational role respect plays in their lives.
• The Pass It On program is an after-school, cross-peer group mentorship program with intermediate students (as buddies) and high school students (as mentors). Its goal is to foster capacity for healthy relationships and support life transitions.

Our programs have successfully offered students the wide range of benefits of a social–emotional education. After attending our programming, students have expressed a greater capacity to feel empathy for others, to resolve conflict, and to build equal and healthy relationships. Teachers observe students using their new skills in the classroom, and they request our programs year after year.

Learn more about our programs or request more information about how you can bring our programs to your classroom or organization.

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Adele Mark is a third-year undergraduate student studying Sociology and Global Development Studies at the University of Victoria. She was involved in the Pass It On program in high school at Gulf Islands Secondary School and was hired as Marketing and Communications Assistant, a temporary student position in early 2021, at The Circle. Adele has been involved with several projects that focus on youth education and female empowerment and looks forward to continuing this work with The Circle.

The post Pass It On Boys: Fun, Friends and Thoughtful discussions appeared first on The Circle Education.

We’re thrilled to have Alex King-Harris and Albert Strasser join the team of facilitators here at The Circle. Each of them brings an incredible skill set to their work in the Pass It On Boys program, for boys Grades 8 through 10. Get to know our two new facilitators by watching their videos below and by reading their bios here.

The program will launch October 23, 2020, and we couldn’t more excited! Thank you to our funders for making this program possible: Island Savings Community Endowment, United Way, Hamber Foundation, and BC Gaming.

The post Pass It On Boys has Two New Facilitators appeared first on The Circle Education.

Issues highlighted by the boys and young men are (in no particular order):

• Schoolwork stress

• Family & Relationships

• Sleep

• Peer pressure, criticism, judgement (and in extreme cases bullying)

• Self Image

• Mental Health

• Drugs & Alcohol

• Negative Expectations/Stereotypes

• Intimate Partner Relationships

• Understanding Girls/Young Women

• Helping Friends While Taking Care of Oneself

As one would expect the issues are more or less heightened depending on the age and individual situation. There is a desire for sports, activities, or places to gather, the exact details of which vary from person to person, group to group. My sense is that places to connect and talk in some way is wanted by all but how it would ideally look varies greatly. There is a cautiousness by this group as a whole to engage in some of the deeper needed conversations.

Tarquin Bowers, evaluator for the project has written a personable, warm hearted, and well-written evaluation of their needs. I’d recommend diving into the full report. Make a coffee or tea, sit back, and enjoy your reading!

Intro Letter to PIO-Boys Evaluation Report Feb 2017

Pass It On Engaging Boys Young Men Project Evaluation Jan 2017

The post Pass It On: Boys – Survey Results & Evaluation appeared first on The Circle Education.

SWOVA’s ‘Pass It On – Engaging Boys and Young Men Council’ is soliciting input from boys and young men 13-19 years (cis- trans- & non-binary inclusive) in our 5- minute online survey (link provided here). This is a project coordinated by David Norget and generously funded through grants from the Salt Spring Foundation and the Ministry of Justice (BC Civil Forfeiture) with additional sponsorship from Country Grocer.

The post We Want to Hear from You: Boys & Young Men appeared first on The Circle Education.