Journal

about us:

Stephen Charleson - Stephen is a member of the Hesquiaht First Nation. he has lived in hesquiaht traditional territories all his life. stephen is an educator, fisherman, boat operator, knowledge holder, language learner, and a hesquiaht elder.

Karen Charleson - karen is married to stephen. together they have six children and a growing number of grandchildren. karen is an educator, organizer, and writer.

Our story

Hooksum Outdoor School has its roots in the Hesquiaht Rediscovery program, which offered youth camps in Hesquiaht traditional territories in the 1990's. When the Rediscovery program stopped running here, Stephen and Karen Charleson looked for a way to continue connecting youth to their traditional territories through on-the-land activities and camps. The result was Hooksum Outdoor School.

Since 2000, Hooksum has had hundreds of people complete our unique four-week outdoor leadership training program, and hosted youth, school, and university programs from across Canada and the United States.

Hooksum Outdoor School has received numerous awards including the Best Cultural Business award from the Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation and the Highest Participation in Lifesaving Society Programs award from the Lifesaving Society of BC and the Yukon.