From September 8 to 12, 39 volunteers from across Canada were in the Yukon to work on a tourism-related community project in one of four Yukon communities. For three days, volunteers received a unique tourism experience, while also giving back to the Yukon by helping to improve visitor infrastructure and attractions in the territory.
In 2025, the Rugged Apprentices program was extended from two to three full days of community work. The extra day ensured greater impact in the participating communities and the ability to tackle larger projects that require a bit more time. Volunteers travelled to Burwash Landing, Carmacks, Dawson and Teslin where their efforts helped upgrade local infrastructure and property as identified by each community. Community partners arranged cultural and visitor experiences for participants during their stay, including guided hikes, beading workshops and fireside storytelling.
There is a growing demand from travellers for authentic experiences and more direct connections with the people and places they visit. Through the concept of “voluntourism”, the Yukon is offering visitors an exceptional experience and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the communities they visit. The program also supports the goals and actions of the Yukon Tourism Development Strategy.
This is the third time this initiative has been held in the Yukon and it continues to meaningfully contribute to sustainable destination improvement in our communities. Praise for Rugged Apprentices, from our community organizers as well as from the participants, demonstrates its popularity and positive impact. Thank you to all the organizers, host communities and volunteers for making this year another success.
The Rugged Apprentice program is absolute magic! What a fun and powerful way to bring people together, to make dreams come true and build a better place, both in the spaces we share and the spirit we carry. The crew radiated a force and energy as strong as the Kluane N'tsi (Wind) that danced beside them from start to finish. Their shared passion, kindness and commitment shook this place and left a lasting mark on our hearts. Thank you to YG Tourism for championing this program and empowering communities through your continued support.
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"Voluntourism" is a form of regenerative tourism in which travellers participate in voluntary work with the aim of leaving a place better than they found it.
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There were 235 people who applied to participate in the program this year.
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Accommodation, food and transportation were provided to the volunteers once they arrived at the community they were working at. Volunteers cover transportation to the Yukon and any accommodation required before and after their placement at their own expense.
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The program was inspired by a similar initiative from the Faroe Islands.
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The Government of Yukon has previously run the program in 2022 and 2023. In the first year, projects were completed in Dawson, Carmacks and Watson Lake. In the second year, projects were completed in Carmacks, Dawson, Mayo, Tagish and Teslin.
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The Rugged Apprentices program is now held every two years to maximize planning capabilities for organizers and communities and to maintain the program’s quality.
Each community identified the need for the projects and the required number of volunteers to achieve their goals. Locals in each community led and managed the projects.
- In Burwash Landing, eight volunteers built and beautified a pedestrian trail that connects Kluane Energy Cafe with the Kluane Museum of History. Improved signage and the addition of benches along the path created a nice loop for visitors and locals to explore on foot, walk their dogs and enjoy the stunning view of the mountains.
- In Carmacks, six volunteers repainted a variety of municipal buildings and infrastructure to help refresh and revitalize the look and feel of the community.
- In Dawson, 17 volunteers worked on trail upgrades, built picnic tables and made improvements at the local park.
- In Teslin, eight volunteers helped enhance the local trail system by clearing sections of the Inner Lagoon Trail. They also helped to create a picnic area along the accessible walking loop, including cleaning and levelling the space and building picnic tables and a natural play space.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]
Alicia Debreceni
Communications, Tourism and Culture
867-332-3670
[email protected]