Tag: outdoor ed

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Fall Outdoor Ed Trips 2022

Grade 10 Outdoor Ed
Grade 10s kicked off their year by jumping right into Outdoor Education, with two full days of preparation and skill training in anticipation of the return of the infamous Garibaldi hiking excursion. Unfortunately, due to smoke and poor air quality, plans had to be adjusted to accommodate the safety and wellness of the group. This brought about a unique opportunity for three more days of preparation and practice, increasing students’ competence and confidence in the outdoors! 

The group started off with a day of developing outdoor ed skills on campus, including a cook-out and tent races, followed by a hike in Pacific Spirit Park wearing their hiking packs, which allowed them to get a sense for carrying their gear over an extended period of time. The next day, the Grade 10sventured to Mount Seymour for two full days of hiking with Canada West Mountain School Guides. While out on the trails, students learned navigation skills, tree identification, leave no trace principles, and the importance of being prepared for all weather systems with the essential gear! Some students also had the opportunity to explore the beauty and serenity of nature through watercolours and journaling activities. The Grade 10s look forward to their overnight hiking trip, which will now take place in the new year.

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Grade 9 Outdoor Ed to Pitt Lake
The Grade 9s started their year with a three-day, two-night canoe and camping trip on Pitt Lake. Led by Ridge Wilderness Adventures, students traveled by Voyageur canoes, working together to navigate and reach their destinations as a team. Once at camp, students had the opportunity to learn new outdoor survival skills, such as food preparation, cooking over a stove, knot tying, tarp hanging, and shelter and fire building. The three days were filled with plenty of laughs, and new friendships, and all students further developed their outdoor survival skills. 

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Grade 8 Outdoor Ed to Camp Potlatch
The Grade 8s began their Senior School career at YHS with a three-day, two-night trip to Camp Potlatch, located on the Howe Sound. Together the group traveled to camp, where they participated in a variety of activities, such as rock climbing, archery, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and outdoor survival skills. A major focus of the week was for students to spend time in their Teacher Advisor Groups (TAG), allowing the groups to bond and develop a rapport as they start their five-year journey together as a unit. When students returned from camp, there were many smiling faces and new friendships amongst the group! 

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Grade 6 Outdoor Ed to Camp Summit
After a few weeks of settling into their Grade 6 year, students travelled to Camp Summit, located in Squamish, for a three-day, two-night camp experience together. Led by the talented Camp Summit staff, students immersed themselves in camp life and all it has to offer. The three days were filled with various camp activities, such as mountain biking, high ropes, archery, outdoor survival skills, hiking, and large group games. Students developed their outdoor survival skills while at camp and learned a new appreciation for nature, our environment, and the beauty it holds! 

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GO! Program Spring Update

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.

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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). 

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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.