When I received the message early last week that my friend Len Roberts had made his final exit from the stage of life, it was as though my personal world shifted on its axis. He was one of those rare, larger than life individuals whose words and actions shape the lives of people around them.
I first met Len when I applied for a job with the One Way Adventure Foundation, then headquartered in Surrey. He wanted me to receive training in the organization’s wilderness skills program in Hedley. On June 30, 1974, he picked me up at my home in rural Abbotsford. During the 3 hour drive he introduced me to the history, philosophy, and methods of the Foundation.
“Jean and I had a booth at the Cloverdale Fair, promoting Bowron Lakes Canoe Expeditions,” he began. “A probation officer asked if we’d take a group of their young clients. We agreed and for 9 days we had a bunch of devious, rowdy teens in the wilderness, away from the city and their friends. When we returned with the kids still alive, the probation officer invited us to develop a program for their toughest cases. Soon 20 or more untamed youths were arriving at our home every morning and we began noticing our neighbours anxiously peering through slits in closed curtains. This convinced us we needed to get the kids away from our neighbourhood.”
The Roberts established the One Way Adventure Foundation and bought 3 acres with a house and small barn. That was the beginning of an effective and fairly unique approach to working with teens who were no longer welcome in their own community, school or home.
In time they realized they required a more remote setting, so they purchased Camp Colonial on the outskirts of Hedley. They added vehicles, canoes, back packing equipment and more. This enabled workers to take students away from familiar street haunts and associations. It permitted students to participate in adventures that developed an awareness of their potential. It also fostered relationships between students and workers.
That first summer, under the leadership of a wilderness skills instructor, my 5 boys and I canoed the Bowron Lakes circuit. We were bitten by horse flies and hordes of mosquitoes, felt the pain of canoe yokes digging into our shoulders while portaging between lakes, paddled all day in rain, and took turns doing bear watch at night. In the evenings around a campfire, I read to them from Jack London’s wonderful book,”Call of the Wild”. On the 9th day when we landed on the last shore, the students spontaneously formed a victory circle. As predicted by Len’s teaching, it had been a relationship and character building adventure.
Throughout those years Len and Jean were a potent team. Len had the vision and unassuming charisma that attracted workers. He looked for individuals willing to descend into the trenches and do what was needed. During my time, 2 former students who had completed their program returned and entered our one year training for new staff. Both became valued leaders in the organization. Sometimes less educated staff demonstrated a wonderful sensitivity that allowed them to develop strong bonds with the students. Again and again, Len reminded us that relationships were key.
While Len was bringing in new workers, buying vans and small green 4×4 toyotas (toads), and acquiring buildings needed for programs, Jean tightened the organizational nuts and bolts. She kept the wheels on the rails.
That the system changed lives is attested to by Hedley’s Post Master, Ruth Woodin. She told me that since the doors of the Foundation were closed in the early 1990’s, a number of former students have come into the P.O. and said, “I was a kid here years ago. It changed my life.” Not all have achieved success, of course, but we know of many who now have families and are holding jobs.
In a quiet way, always trusting God for guidance, Len stirred our imagination and spirit, imbuing us with a sense of mission. His compelling presence and unwavering commitment drew us to the work. We wanted to be part of his vision. We wanted to give young people a more optimistic understanding of who they were created to be.
For many Len Roberts was rare and special. For me he became a valued friend.
Great blog on a great man.
My husband and I worked with Len at OWAF. Len and Jean were great role models!
I was one of Len Roberts first charges at One Way Adventure Foundation. I was living in his home as well. (Trailer in the driveway)
I was there when Colonial was first purchased and we were sent in to do all the clean up. All the hard work. I have a very different spin on this matter of One Way Adventure Foundation. Len and Jean Roberts.
However I am sorry for your loss.
Regards Susan Coey.
I was just looking at Hedley and Nickle Plate Mine. I was on of those “bad boys” sent to the OWAF back in 1976 by the courts. What an adventure!!
My name is Paul Richardson and I’m forever grateful to Len & Jean. Ron Gibson if I remember right was a councilor with the foundation. Ron would always steer us straight and kept a tight rein on us. I went to school in Surrey, BC and we would travel to Hedley lots. Stayed in the Colonial House and the chef in the kitchen was a fantastic cook. (former bike if memory serves me right)
They had a cabin up the mountain from Hedley that we stayed in for a few nights in the winter. Going out to the well, break the ice in it to get water and the snow was deep. When we came back to the Colonial House, we came down the old tram trail snow shoeing and sliding on our butts( I have a scar from on old spike sticking out of the ground ). Never felt it, frozen butt. It wasn’t until the chef noticed and fixed me up right away.
I was 16 y/o when I was sent there and here I am soon to be 61 y/o and the memories of that time of my life are flooding back to me. They are what saved me back then the councilors of this great foundation.
Have to stop writing for tears are forming in my eyes.
One last thing, it took me another 10 years to get it. At 26 y/o I sobered up and have been in AA for 34 yrs now, married and still living and dreaming.
Thank-you Ron, Len and Jean and the rest of the One Way Adventure Foundation.
Thanks for a great comment, Paul. I started working for the Foundation in Surrey in 1976, and I do remember you.
You have a good story and you tell it well. I’m very happy to hear that you have found a good path to walk on. Thanks for giving credit to Len & Jean, and also to Ron. All 3 were highly committed, and wanted to see good things happen in the lives of young people in our care. Len has been gone several years, but he lives on in the hearts and minds of many people who knew him. I hope to hear from you again. Art
Thank you. My Brother Oz, was on staff at OWAF, for many years… from around 1983 to 1993. Because of my brother, I worked two summers – 1988, as a dishwasher in the Colonial Inn, and -1992, as a yard worker – mowing grass, moving the irrigation water, etc. I have been wondering what ever happened to Len and Jean, and their family members. It was my memory, that Len Roberts was fellow Alumni (from PRBI – Peace River Bible Institute). I’m not 100% sure. The summer of ’88, I became friends with the youngest daughter, who became a hair salonist. I have hoping to renew friendships, on Facebook, with other staff that were there – especially the summer of ’88
Very nice to hear from you, Jonathan. I remember Oz well. He was a positive role model for our students.
I’d be interested in knowing what he’s doing now. I’ll send you an email with some information about the Roberts family. Art
I lived in the white house at back in 1991 (The one in the Movie Malone!), I think it’s the one in the photo! The mines were my back yard and I loved it! I spent a lot of time up on that hill exploring.
I made a room in the closet under the stairs because I didn’t want to share a room with a new boy they moved in. His name was Paul, I forget his last name, but he was around my age (11), Caucasian and had blond hair.
I also remember working for a man at the camp down the road on the rivers edge on his Rabbit Farm and got a Rabbit of my own named Junior, though I had to keep him at the farm, I was told I could take him when I left, that ended up being a lie, the first of many like it.
We also painted the motel in town by the store/park which was also a part of the camp at the time, a sort of Independent living quarters iirc. There was an older boy living there named Graham who was turning 16 iirc and was being transferred out. He was like an older brother to me during my stay there, and I will never forget his kindness, he made living there a lot easier for me. He even made sure to say goodbye to me, and I often find myself wondering where he is today.
There was also a house on the other side of the Hwy near the river, I believe it was later burned down by one of the kids. There was a boy there named Jeremiah or Jeremy, he was native iirc, and I later ran into him again at another facility. He was the only one.
I remember those 4×4’s we took a trip up to the mines do some exploring once to along a long winding bumpy road and I sat in the back on a fold down seat. You never forget a ride like that!
I also remember hiking the Monks Trail, which I later went back and hiked again from memory with my Brother in 2001 and ran into Leon who had moved back into his cave and built a gorgeous new living space.
Oh and we did work on that Cabin at the top of the hill!
It’s been so long, the only staff member I can remember the name of is Doug, him and his wife had a house in town and iirc they had a son as will if I’m not mistaken. Doug was into modeling and I believe had built quite a trestle out of balsa in his previous basement unit across the street from “The Bastards”. You don’t forget a sign on the fence like that lol
There was another staff member that lived in a mobile home below the Lodge, he gave me some Hockey cards and I think that’s also where I first played the drums! I think he had long hair and maybe a gym in town? Again, it’s been ages now.
I can remember we all worked at the Hedley Blast one year and collected trash saving the cans which made us quite a good profit. That was the only time I got to meet Neil Diamond and Willie Nelson, sadly I lost the signed Hedley Blast shirt they signed for me.
There was also a fellow that lived with his wife and at least 1 daughter, he was a Fireman and had a shop on his property and had cut part of his thumb off. I would often help his wife pull weeds, she paid me $5 a bucket! 🙂 A very nice couple, even if they didn’t let their kid/kids? watch TV haha
Finally Hedley is where I got this crazy scar on my forehead! (Just before the Hedley blast)
4 Layers, 22 Stitches, Right down to the skull! Doug and his wife drove me iirc, and the doctor took some tweezers and tapped on my head saying “You hear that? That’s your skull!” Last thing you want to hear, I thought I was going to die, I ran out of the junk yard screaming “CALL 911! CALL 911!”.
Lot’s of memories, that town will always have a special place in my heart. I was last there in 2017 iirc.
Phew! That was a lot, if you made it this far I’m surprised haha
Thanks for your very interesting comment, Alastair. If you want to write more, I’ll be happy to hear from you.
Also, I’m interested in knowing how your life has turned out since your life in Hedley.
Regards, Art