Hailey Kay, Silver Participant

Tackling challenges, overcoming roadblocks, adjusting and learning to adapt are all skills we need to succeed not only in the Award, but in life beyond the Award! How has Hailey overcome roadblocks and adapted her Award during covid-19 restrictions? Take a look at her story below!

Tell us about your Award journey – why did you decide to start your Award?
I was introduced to this award by a teacher at my school as the program is highly recommended for all students. We also had a representative of the Award come into our school to explain to us what the Award was about and it’s benefits. I was intrigued that it was an international award and that it included outdoor activities like camping. I really enjoy these activities and saw this award as an opportunity to increase my outdoor skills. I also wanted to be a more well-rounded student and especially wanted to increase my skill and service hours.

What do you like about the Award?

I love that the Award included outdoor activities that I would not normally do on my own. I may typically attend an overnight camp in the summer where we go canoeing and camping, similar to the adventurous journeys; however, for my Bronze award, the trip included hiking, something I would not normally do which I found really fun. I am also looking forward to the Silver snowshoeing trip.

What do you find challenging about the Award?

The Award pushes me to participate in more skills and services that I normally would not do. I already partake in many sports so it is just about reflecting and remembering to log my hours for physical recreation that makes it difficult sometimes.

“The Award pushes me to participate in more skills and services that I normally would not do.”
Hailey

What sort of challenges are you facing in your day-to-day life, as a result of COVID-19? How has this impacted you?

Most of my sports or activities with my friends have been cancelled and my school was moved online. My summer activities such as working at a day camp or attending overnight camp have also been cancelled. I no longer get to see my friends and family as much but both my parents are still working, one from home and the other still goes to the hospital for work.

Is the Award helping you to deal with any of these challenges? If so, how?

The Award encourages me to still partake in physical activities, such as running and personal fitness. I am also continuing to work on my service hours online. I have also started a new skill and regularly try new things.

Have you had to adapt your Award activities as a result of COVID-19? If so, how?

Has anything remained the same? Yes, normally I record sports I do at school or outside of school for my physical recreation but now that those have been cancelled I have had to switch to personal fitness like running or online workouts. I have also had to change my skill from an instrument I would play at our school band to baking. My service has stayed the same though because it can easily be switched to online as it is the school yearbook.

Have you found any interesting solutions to help you continue with your Award during COVID-19?

Not really but I enjoy still having something to do during the summer and having something to look forward too.

Are you using your Award (and particularly your Voluntary Service section) to help your community deal with the challenges of COVID-19? If so, how?

Not particularly but as yearbook editor for my school, I am continuing to work on the yearbook and have included pages on COVID-19. We have also had to adapt to new situations and events being held virtually.

Do you think being involved with the Award helps you and your community at this time? If so, how?

I am still working on the yearbook which in turn gives my school community something to look forward to and we have been sharing our progress with my school so they are getting excited.

Do you have any other comments or ideas you would like to share?

The Award has done a great job adapting to this new situation and has provided many resources to help everyone succeed. “

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