Al Kimmel grew up on a mixed farm outside of Calgary, Alberta. At a
very young age, Al became an avid outdoorsman and acquired an invaluable
nature based outdoor skill
set. He received his Standard First Aid
certification at age 11, participate in his first multiday mountain
hiking adveture in the Front Ranges of the Canadian Rockies at age 11,
participated in his first 5 day mountain ski touring adventure in the
Rockies at age 13 and received his Alberta HT Conservation certification
at age 14. He received his professional ski instructors certification
and other outdoor certifications, includinging his advanced wilderness
first aid, later in life.
A Professional Engineer (P. Eng.), Professional Geologist (P. Geol)
and avid historian, Al graduated from UBC’s Geological Engineering Program
and began his career as an Engineer and Geologist in Calgary, Alberta.
An avid history buff and jack of all trades, Al recognized the need
for hands on industry training courses that would benefit junior technical
and all non technical industry employees as well as technical personnel.
In 1998, GeoHistory
Inc. was born with the creation of the Calgary to Field BC, Mountain Building and Burgess Shale Field Course. Leading his own field trips, Al
become a Parks Canada Burgess Shale Guide in Yoho National Park, as
well as a National Parks Interpretive Guide and Group Manager. Other
courses followed. GeoHistory’s courses have been part of the internal
training program of numerous companies and industry associations throughout
the years.
In 2000, Al relocated his family to Victoria, BC. Al was amazed by the topographic diversity, ecologial diversity and
wealth of natural and cultural history Victoria, Vancouver Island and
the Gulf Islands possessed, as well as by the stunning natural beauty
of the area. He quickly recognized that very few tour companies were
providing Victoria visitors with educationally based tours and excursions.
Given the sucess of GeoHistory
Inc. , Al felt he could create similar
educational experiences for visitors to Victoria. In 2004, Pacific Breeze
Tours was born with the Beacon Hill Park Walking Tour. In 2006, Al created
and ran the Forces of Nature Tour for his Alaska and Northwest Pacific
cruise line partners, a partnership that lasted for many years.
In 2016, Al cofounded a successful Victoria based outdoor education
company focused on providing technology free summer, spring and winter
outdoor camps for children and youth. As managing cofounder, Al taught
various outdoor survival skills and outdoor activities - everything
from fire building to canoeing and skiing. The success of the company
was enhanced by Al's logistical expertise, communication skills, teaching
abilities and his knowledge of local history, biology, geomorphology, geology and engineering.
Pacific Breeze's
new school programs incorporate Al's knowledge base, previous experiences and widely
recognized teaching abilities to benefit children and youth with science,
natural history and cultural history based outdoor educational experiences.
Al continues to provide tours, excursions and educational adventures to Victoria visitors and tourists upon request.
"In order for clients to get the most out of a course, tour, excursion or adventure and really experience Victoria, the course, tour, excursion or adventure has to be interesting, entertaining and fulfilling. The little details all have to be taken care of so the client can relax, enjoy and take everything in. At the end of the program, client expectations should have been exceeded - the clients should have been given an experience that they could not have received elsewhere. This is the premise on which all Pacific Breeze courses, tours, excursions and adventures are based."
Lynne Hastings was raised in Calgary, Alberta. Attracted to all types of sports early in her youth, Lynne was awarded female athlete of the year twice in high school. As team captain, she led the Crescent Heights High School women’s volleyball team to two Alberta championships, was the first choice for the Alberta team at the Western Canadian Winter Games and became a member of the Canadian Women’s National (Olympic) Volleyball Team. Lynne received her degree as a Bachelor of Human Kinetics from UBC and began teaching in Richmond, BC, where she has taught in all aspects of public elementary and middle school for over 40 years. Lynne has acted as the head of numerous Physical Education departments, team(s) coach, BC’s Action School’s Workshop presenter, co chair of program accreditation and a member of numerous school professional development committees. She is a trained Orton-Gillingham practitioner and actively tutors when not teaching.
Certifications/Qualifications
“Technology has enhanced learning within our education system, increased global awareness and provided us with instant, on demand virtual communication. Unfortunately, hours spent in the virtual realm is increasingly disconnecting youth from nature, creating deficits in physical awareness and physical activity, impacting interpersonal skills and, along with the faster pace of modern life, increasing stress and anxiety levels in our youth.
Pacific Breeze's outdoor school programs are excellent venues for youth to:
a) reconnect with nature, b) become physically aware of themselves and their
surroundings; c) enhance interpersonal skills, d) lower anxiety/stress levels
and e) learn about the natural and cultural history of the planet. These programs
not only teach unique topics not found in provincial curiculum, but also encourage
problem solving and both individual and cooperative thinking. They impart
confidence, independence, and positive learning attitudes/skills while increasing
appreciation for the natural world. ”
