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A Lifetime Of Memories In Three Days: A Graduation Trip Story - Part 2 (The Experience)

broncofan99Posted for Everyone to comment on, 5 years ago6 min read

If you missed part 1 check out my previous post where I introduced our annual grade 8 graduation trip. This is something we have been doing for 10 years now, since our first graduating class. It is a trip that students look forward to from the time they reach grade 6. It is an educational trip to St. Donat, Quebec where the kids will spend 3 days skiing and participating in French Cultural activities. This post is all about the experience our students have.

Once at the ski hill the instructors take over. Students get set up with their gear and are tested right away. The students are divided into groups based on skills and they are off to their lessons. The week consists of 5 hours of lessons spread out over two days followed by a day of free skiing. The perspectives group and the ski hill have things extremely well organized for groups coming in. We have a special storage room where we can leave ski gear for the duration of our stay. This is extremely helpful in getting our students out on the hill as quickly as possible each day. The experience on the hill is one that the students talk about for the whole bus ride back to the lodge. The lessons are made fun and engaging. High-level skiers get to experience the whole hill while novice skiers are given the tools to succeed while still being challenged enough to stay interested. The next two ski sessions will take place first thing in the morning. The third day the students get to take all they have learned and explore the hill independently with their friends. The free ski day is always a favourite of the students.

The downhill skiing each day is just one component of the trip for our kids. The remainder of our time is made up of a variety of cultural and physical activities. The whole group of 80 kids is split up into different groups based on legends they will learn about. These legends are cultural folklore of Quebec and the St. Donat area. These are stories that have been passed down through generations of francophone speaking people. A whole post could be dedicated to the legends alone. The students are engaged in the stories through drama, art, and music, They are immersed in the legends to a point where they are almost part of them. In fact, several students get to take part in the big ending show where all the legends are acted out through a musical and dramatic performance.

The various activities that take up the rest of our time include:

Language workshopsMusical activitiesExercises in oral expression
DanceCross-country skiingSnowshoeing
Outdoor relaysTubingSkating


The language workshops range in topics. Students might be in a Tipi learning about the local traditions or heading into the village to interact with shopkeepers and other people in French. There are workshops where students learned about native animals and horticulture. The village scavenger hunt is always popular as the students get to purchase items from the wonderful bakery in the center of the village. The music program is exceptional. The students get to learn one of the legend songs and learn a variety of different instruments. The whole workshop is topped off by the group performing the song and having it professionally recorded. Even our shy or “too cool” kids are engaged and having fun during these workshops.

Students are kept active and engaged right up until 8 PM. After dinner, we head out to do snowshoeing under the stars and tubing. The nighttime effect gives a different dimension to the activities. Light is not an issue as there is a full moon and the snow-covered paths almost glow in the moonlight. After dinner on the second night, we head over to the outdoor skating trail. This is an amazing 2-kilometer trail that has been carved out through the woods. It is maintained and groomed by the town and is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. The trail is lit up by lights all along the edges. Skating on a trail like this is such a unique experience and is truly enjoyed by all.

In the evenings after all the activities are done the kids are treated to some fun entertainment. On the first night, there is a theatrical performance all about the rules and expectations of the stay at St. Donat. It is absolutely hilarious as it is done in the theme of Star Wars. The second evening students are asked to showcase their skills in a talent show. This is a great opportunity to learn about special talents that students have that we may not have been aware of. These talents can range from solving a Rubik's cube super fast to singing and dancing to performing some gymnastics move. The kids are always thrilled by the show. On the final night, we are treated to a cultural spectacle. Each of the legends that students have learned about is told through song and drama. We get to see the legends acted out while listening to the songs that have passed the stories down through generations. The best part is that many students get to act in these presentations and show us their improve skills. During each show, the students can win prizes based on how much effort they have been putting into speaking French during our stay. Students receive tickets for participating in French that can be drawn for prizes.

After three days of activities and fun the students finish up their final morning of skiing and we are set to board the bus for home. This has to be the absolute quietest bus ride with grade 8 students you are ever going to experience. Before separating we stop to pick up our lunch. Every student gets a fresh homemade bakery sandwich with a dessert and a drink. The sandwiches might be my favourite part of the trip. The 3 ½ hours home goes quickly as most people are exhausted from the events of the past three days and many spend the trip home sleeping. There is quiet chatter about the fun had and memories created. This is an experience that will be long looked at as one of the best moments of their young lives.

In the final installment, the kids have arrived home and the excitement is being shared with families and friends. Will this be the last time students from our school get to experience this? Will students who are already looking forward to this moment next year be in store for disappointment? Stay tuned for the 3rd and final part.

Images: 1
All other pictures were taken by me

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