On February 20, 2026, Elevation Outdoors is proud to bring their Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour Event to the Metro Hub in Kelowna, British Columbia. Join them for an unforgettable evening of inspiring films, powerful stories, popcorn, drinks, prizes, community booths, and auction!
This is a hybrid event so if you can’t make it in person, on-demand viewing is available February 20th to February 26th. Along with the films, they will have their popular online silent auction with fantastic goods and services from Kelowna and across B.C.! Available online for a full week starting Friday before the event and closing after the films at the metro, so moviegoers can take their items home.
All proceeds from the event and auction help us create scholarship opportunities in their programs for youth facing barriers in their community.
Elevation Outdoors is a community-supported program designed to enhance the lives of local youth who face significant socioeconomic challenges. Through guided participation in strategically designed outdoor pursuits, young people are exposed to challenging physical activities while gaining fundamentally important life skills.
Elevation Outdoors was founded in 2007 by Tori Hanson and a small group of dedicated individuals that saw a need in their community. From their very first ever Learn to Shred program with 6 participants, their focus has always been on breaking down barriers and helping youth find a passion to help them lead a healthy happier life. Since then, they have expanded their program offering to include snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, sailing, and leadership programs.
All programs are offered to eligible youth free of charge. They believe that no young person should be denied the potential to discover an outdoor pursuit that can help keep them motivated, healthy and happy for life! They provide all the required equipment, so that all a participant needs to do is show up with a positive attitude and a willingness to try something new. Transportation is included in their programs from a common meeting point, to ensure that each youth has an opportunity to participate.
Their team of volunteer mentors share their passion for the activities and develop a positive relationship with participants. They strive to keep our ratios at 3:1 or lower so that we’re able to build relationships and confidence.
Elevation Outdoors outdoor programs are designed to mentor youth and steer them out of harm’s way into a life of good health, productivity and fulfillment. The Learn to Shred program teaches youth with no previous experience how to snowboard and provides them with all of the necessary equipment, instruction, mentorship, lift passes, and transportation to do so. Their Live to Ride program was the second program added to Elevation back in 2009. By receiving and implementing years of feedback, they believe it is now one of the best introductions to mountain biking programs in the Okanagan. It’s for youth 12 – 18 years old who want to learn the skills of mountain biking from the ground up.
The Get a Grip program has become one of their most popular programs since its introduction back in 2015. Get a Grip gives a comprehensive introduction to both indoor and outdoor climbing. Take a Hike was added to their program line up in 2018. The program introduces participants to hiking and expands their interest by exposing them to new trails, views, and a community of other passionate individuals! Their newest program, Ready to Roll, is a great way to learn about skateboarding! Participants, with little to no previous experience, are introduced to the very basics of skateboarding, starting out with the fundamentals and setting up their own board.
Finally, there is their Leaders in Action program. This well-rounded, experience-based program is aimed at giving youth an opportunity to try new adventures and outdoor pursuits while gaining valuable volunteer experience with a consistent group of peers and leaders throughout the year. All of the outdoor sports they offer are included in this program.
Laura Dunne, Elevation Outdoors’ Fund Development Coordinator, says, “More than just a film festival, this event is one of the largest fundraisers for Elevation Outdoors. Proceeds help fund scholarship seats in our outdoor sports programs, giving local youth facing barriers the chance to experience outdoor adventure, mentorship, and personal growth.”
When asked what her favorite part of hosting a Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour Event, Laura says, “The films are always really inspiring and being a small local venue you get to enjoy guests reactions and experience the evening with them. I also like that the online access allows my friends and family outside of Kelowna to view the films as well.”
