For the second winter in a row, the City of Morden is partnering with A Rocha Pembina Valley Interpretive Centre to encourage youth to enjoy the outdoors.

Explore Outdoors is a five week program for youth in grades five to seven. It teaches participants about wildlife in winter while providing engaging activities such as quinzee building, snow-shoeing, broomball, etc.

"There was a lot of enthusiasm from the youth that came out," said Jamie Fox about last year's event. Fox is the director of A Rocha and will lead the weekly lessons.

"We wanted to do it again so youth in the area could try these activities that they might not get a chance to try," he said.

Fox will also teach participants about how plants and animals deal with the snow and ice. For example, tying the snow-shoeing lesson to the way animals get around through the snow.

"It's great to spend time outside and learn about the outdoors," said Stephanie Dueck, recreation programmer with the City of Morden.

Dueck said winter is often a time when people are less active, so she has tried to plan events and activities to motivate Morden residents to enjoy the season.

"You [have to] do stuff in winter too, and not just the summer," she added.

When Dueck started as the recreation programmer for Morden in February 2015, there had only ever been someone organizing summer activities. Organized winter programs had to be created.

The Explore Outdoors program is funded through Jumpstart, a charitable arm of Canadian Tire. Jumpstart raises money to support kids who cannot afford to play sports.

To register for the entire five weeks is $55 per person. Contact Stephanie Dueck here.

Building a quinzee during Explore Outdoors in 2016