The GO! Program finished off their school year with an action-packed spring! Students participated in a Leadership Workshop with Alison McKenzie from ShEvalesco, discovering their different leadership styles and how they all contribute to the overall team. The Grade 10s were then able to practice these new leadership skills when they joined the Grade 1s on their Outdoor Education excursion and organized icebreaker activities and collaborative games. The GO! students also participated in two action-packed days, hiking the Stawamus Chief and climbing outdoors in Squamish. Both day trips were filled with adventure, group bonding, grit and perseverance, as students challenged themselves to accomplish their goals.
Finally, the GO! Program wrapped up their school year with their first multi-day excursion! At the end of May, students traveled to Tofino for an action-packed five days of activities. Camping at Surf Grove, students spent the week hiking, kayaking, learning to surf, participating in a beach clean-up, and educating themselves about the impacts of microplastics on our coastal environments. Enduring some challenging weather, including 24 hours of relentless rain, students demonstrated resilience, perseverance, a positive mindset, and impressive outdoor competence as they used their skills to stay warm, healthy, and dry(ish).
Ms. Brennan and Ms. Harrigan are incredibly proud of the group’s ability to bond together, support one another, and grow both as a team and as individuals. Throughout the week, students challenged themselves to learn and develop their outdoor skills, partaking in fire-building, chopping wood, hanging tarps with the appropriate knots, and cooking and preparing their meals. During the evenings, the group enjoyed campfires and shared special moments, shout-outs, and reflected on their experiences on the trip. This was a beautiful way to wrap up a wonderful year together in the program and as a cohesive unit.
