When Noree Lilly first arrived in Hedley at age 19, she didn’t expect these few days to dramatically alter the direction of her life. Born in New Mexico and raised in California, she had left a job in a California hospital seeking adventure and purpose. “I enrolled as a student at Trinity Western University,” she said. “One of the courses was in outdoor recreation and the instructors brought us to Camp Colonial in Hedley for the wilderness skills component.”

She was enchanted by the mountains, the Similkameen River, and the rustic former gold mining community. Some aspects of the training were intimidating though, testing her courage and resolve.“The rappelling course really challenged me,” she recalled. “I was terrified the first time I was instructed to step off the edge of a high rock cliff and rappel down. Although the two instructors were experienced and I was securely tied in, I knew if anything went wrong it would be a long plunge to the bottom. When we moved to the higher, more difficult Grosbeak site, at one point because of the inward curving of the rock wall, my feet couldn’t find rock surface to steady myself.” The course also included rock climbing, chimneying, orienteering and stretcher lowering. “I didn’t at that time have the upper body strength required for rock climbing,” she said. “I struggled with it.”

In the evening Noree and the other course participants returned to the Camp Colonial lodge and here she met Len Roberts, founder of the One Way Adventure Foundation. The organization, still in its infancy, had a contract with the provincial government to operate programs for youth in Surrey and at Camp Colonial. It lacked extensive resources, but Len saw possibilities where others did not. He apparently recognized the potential in Noree and invited her to a one on one visit with him.

The young organization’s budget was lean and the needs were numerous. Len could not offer Noree a financial incentive to come on staff. What he could offer was an opportunity to provide constructive guidance to youths who almost invariably came from dysfunctional homes, substance abuse, crime and life on the streets. “In the church our family attended in California I taught a class for teens, some almost my age,” Noree said. “I found it hard and told myself I will never work with teens again.”

Len did not have charisma as we commonly think of it. His fervent belief in the importance of the work was compelling though, and in his presentation of the vision Noree heard something she found appealing. “His words and quiet passion ignited something deep inside me, and I decided to come on board.”

Initially she was promised no pay for her work, other than room and meals. “Len did at times slip me twenty five dollars for basic essentials,” she said. There were other perks. One that she valued highly was the more advanced wilderness skills training provided by Jeff Evans of Keremeos Outward Bound. Noree benefited from Jeff’s expert training and in time was elevated to the rank of instructor in rappelling and orienteering.

Watching Noree develop as a leader, Len initiated a one year training school for young adults who yearned for adventure, purpose, and experience in working with people. The training included rappelling, rock climbing, a ten day Bowron Lakes canoeing and portaging expedition. There was also a five day back packing expedition in Cathedral park, down hill and cross country skiing, horse back riding, plus yard work, cleaning and cooking. They were mentored in wilderness skills and the youth work by several seasoned, established staff.

Noree loved the outdoors and the activities gave her a common ground with the youths. “I got close to some of the girls,” she said. “After completing their program, years later they at times came around to visit and in some cases to show off their children.” At the end of one year Noree became the first graduate of this program. It matured and prepared her to become a full fledged group leader. She met Derek, a co-worker, and in time they were married. They now have three adult children and two grandchildren. After the Foundation closed its doors Noree worked for the Hedley Improvement District and then Canada Post. The young woman who came to Camp Colonial many years ago found adventure, purpose, a family, lasting friendships and much more.