"The main thing is that we want to keep the kids off drugs, and we show them that they don't have to wear a suit and tie to fit in or be a functioning part of society." Granger says. This is accomplished by taking the kids out, each weekend, for 12 weeks in a row to do some snowboarding, or a summer activity. After the 12 week period there is a final culminating event in which all the kids and mentors participate, a kind of final 'get-together' if you will.

The kids also are responsible for choosing and participating in an outreach program that suits them-such as helping out at the local food bank. "The kids really get a sense of what it means to receive from a volunteer program and also give back to the community through volunteering." Not bad coming from a program that started out with 5 volunteers and only $5000 dollars to use. Now the program has a multitude of professional sponsors, and $50,000 in donated equipment, and $70,000 worth of donated lift tickets! Just goes to show you how a group of positive thinkers can really make a difference!

"It's great to have the veterans come back and see us, and to see how they have matured and become functioning parts of society and their city." says Dave. This last year there were 125 applicants and only 48 could be chosen, so it's easy to see how BYEP is drawing attention and helping the community in a huge way. And the best part of the whole operation is that it comes at absolutely no cost to the youth!  BYEP is truly laudable and, in my mind, deserves nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.

"We like to show them that you can have fun without being a wrench in the gears of society." These are the words of a very forward thinking group of individuals that truly desire to make a difference in mankind.

-TETAMYN