Welcome to the  MacNeill Outdoor Incentive Program page.

The MacNeill Outdoor Incentive program is a district program. 

• A district program means that any student from the Richmond District or lives in Richmond is able to apply for the program from grade 8, 9, or 10. When they are accepted, the students will be admitted into A.R. MacNeill Secondary for the three years if they wish to continue. They will then be a part of the Raven community.
   

The Incentive Outdoor Program attracts creative and motivated students with a passion for the outdoors.  The fundamental goal of the program is to provide opportunities for students to develop critical thinking skills, creativity, innovative problem-solving and adaptability, both in the classroom and in the larger community. Incentive is an experiential program that develops competent, confident and caring people with strong leadership and outdoor education skills.

 To learn more about this program please see the links below. 

• MacNeill is hosting an Open House is on January 22, 2026 - Starts at 6:00pm in the Large Gym.
• See below to learn more about this program.

The MacNeill Outdoor Incentive Program is currently under review. Students and families enrolled in the program are being asked to provide their feedback; however, we are continuing to actively promote enrolment and accept applications as per our regular timeline. We encourage all interested families and students to apply. This program is most successful when the student enrolment cohort is full, enabling students to experience the full benefit of the program. Please note that if a grade level is insufficient enrolment, that grade cohort may not be viable to proceed. We will keep families well informed of any updates/changes that may directly impact the program. -Mr. Blair jblair@sd38.bc.ca 

The Incentive Outdoor Program is primarily staffed by three full-time Incentive teachers and is part of A.R. MacNeill Secondary School. The program consists of three grades, Grade 8, 9 and 10 and employs a cohort model. This model involves students moving together through their courses, as well as engaging in a variety of outdoor activities together to create a special and lasting bond. The cohort model, coupled with a multi-grade environment, creates a supportive and inclusive environment where students can grow, take risks, and develop their interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.

The Incentive Outdoor Program attracts creative and motivated students with a passion for the outdoors. The fundamental goal of the program is to provide opportunities for students to develop critical thinking skills, creativity, innovative problem-solving and adaptability, both in the classroom and in the larger community. Incentive is an experiential program that develops competent, confident and caring people with strong leadership and outdoor education skills. 

Incentive Outdoor Program offers a strong outdoor education component with a focus on environmental sustainability and stewardship. Students will develop skills in a variety of areas throughout the school year.  These sessions culminate each year in an extended outdoor excursion (e.g. Strathcona Park Lodge) in late May.  This outdoor programming is also integrated with students’ academics, with opportunities for students to explore their relationship and responsibilities to their natural environment while learning outdoor skills.

Please Note: Outdoor Education 8-10 is based on the Outdoor Education PHE 11 & 12 Curriculum. As such, students who successfully complete our Outdoor Education 10 course will be granted senior level credits which allow them to take more advanced academic courses in their senior high school years should they choose. 

Students in the Incentive Outdoor Program will develop an awareness of self, identifying areas of strength, as well as areas for self-improvement. Through the various curricular areas, students will develop the core competencies of Communication, Critical Thinking, Positive Personal and Cultural Identity, Personal Awareness and Responsibility and Social Responsibility. Students will engage in collaborative and independent inquiry-based learning, both at the school as well as within the community. Students will receive instruction in English, French, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Outdoor Education 11/12, and Physical and Health Education. Students will also develop skills through Independent Studies (Gr. 8/9) and Career Life Education (Gr. 10).

• Local trips to Richmond Nature Park, Garden City Park
• Camp Summit: All students engage in team building and climbing activities. As well, they participate in mountain biking, archery, and camping.
• Whistler: Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding
• Takaya: Indigenous Canoe Tours
• Strathcona Park Lodge: Students participate in a range of more challenging out-trips (ex: Wilderness Camping, Rock Climbing, Kayaking/Canoeing, Mountain Biking & more!)

Students may enter the Incentive Outdoor Program in Grade 8, 9 or 10 and should: 

• have a strong desire to attend the Incentive Outdoor Program
• have a strong desire to develop outdoor & leadership skills
• can strive in a higher learning environment (pre-AP style courses)
• commit to actively participate in all the outdoor activities
• demonstrate resilience and a growth mindset
• have the ability to organize time and work independently
• enjoy working collaboratively, and are inclusive of ALL people
• demonstrate social responsibility and community involvement
• demonstrate ownership for their learning
• demonstrate strong academic proficiency in all subject areas (at the Grade 10 level, all students will be expected to complete Foundations of Math and Pre-Calculus 10)

Incentive students participate in many activities that have an associated cost. All program students are enrolled in an Outdoor Education course. All trips are mandatory and are a part of the academic success. The total cost of all the trips is $2,200. This is a discounted school cost. These activities normally cost 3x the price when booking separately. It should be understood that these activities are an integral part of the program. The total cost is paid in increments throughout the school year. There will be a $300 deposit before the end of the current school year to secure the student's acceptance in the program. Candidates and their families should apply with this understanding.

Please submit through this link below.

https://forms.microsoft.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=mm_zj9hyJkWPzpJxkJGm7EYVr8DwTAxNuT-3rZP0jhZUNlQ4TEc1TFZGQTA4RUY1RUtHN0hQNFoyRy4u

Online Application Form - Deadline: Thursday, February 5th 2026 @ 10:00 am
Please email a PDF of the report card directly to Ms. Lai via email (tlai@sd38.bc.ca) - This report card must be a PDF, not a screenshot or photo. Those will not be accepted. 
Once emailed, applicants will only get a response if there are changes that need to be made. Otherwise, please assume that your email has been received by the office. 
 

Incentive Outdoor Program Teacher Questionnaire - Deadline: Wednesday, February 4th , 2026 @ 10:00 am

We would appreciate your input regarding a student who has applied to the Incentive Outdoor Program. Please fill in this confidential questionnaire. (Estimated time: 10 min)

https://forms.microsoft.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=mm_zj9hyJkWPzpJxkJGm7EYVr8DwTAxNuT-3rZP0jhZUQzkxTTVWTVFWTDVTOEE1VjRGQ0lCOFBWMC4u&route=shorturl

Deadline: Thursday, February 5th 2026 @ 10:00 am

Incentive Parent Info Night #1 for 2025/2026 School Year (Virtual) - Thursday, December 4th, 2025 (5:30 PM)
(VIRTUAL LINK -CLICK HERE) PPT Presentation
 

MacNeill Open House - Parent Info Night #2 for 2025/2026 School Year - Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 (6:00pm) At MacNeill Secondary @ Large Gym

(Online) Application Deadline & Emailed Report Card - Thursday February 5th, 2026 (10:00AM)
Please email a PDF of the report card directly to Ms. Lai via email (tlai@sd38.bc.ca).
This report card must be a PDF, not a screenshot or photo. Those will not be accepted. 
Once emailed, applicants will only get a response if there are changes that need to be made.
Otherwise, please assume that your email has been received by the office. 

Candidate Interviews & Assessment - Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 (3:30 pm – 5:30 pm) At MacNeill Secondary

Letters Home - Thursday, February 26th, 2026
will be emailed to parents of applicants to inform them whether or not their
application was successful. When required, successful applicants will then proceed
with registration at the Richmond School Board Office.
 

Deposit - March 5th 2026 
Once accepted, families will need to provide a $300 deposit on school cash
online website to secure their acceptance to the program. The deadline and
link will be email along with the letter home.