There is a palpable, untamed wilderness to Nootka Sound, BC. The beauty truly is intoxicating. The area has a great array of wildlife, beautiful forests, and amazing intertidal life. We paddled with seals, sea otters, and a few rare dolphins. There were so many sea stars it would not be an exaggeration to say there were thousands! The views from our campsites were incredible. One night we even got to sleep on a beautiful beach where we were lulled to sleep by the changing tide.  To spend a week without a speck of Wi-Fi, and only the sound of the waves, wind and early morning bird songs was an incredible gift. We followed the rocky coastlines and explored long inlets, sheltered coves, and small islands. Given that we were a group from Ontario that typically canoe trips, learning how to explore via sea kayak was full of lessons. The boats were heavy, the hatches where everything needed to be packed were small, our wetsuits never fully dried, and the ocean was too cold to bathe in, and yet it was complete magic. We cannot wait to return. Thank you to our friends at Strathcona Park Lodge for helping us finally make this trip a reality! 

Thank you to The Rosedale Day School Gr.1-4 students and teachers for an incredible in-city program. The week was spent exploring Toronto’s urban wilderness, deepening our lens on the insects, animals, and plants that call this amazing place home. While exploring the various green spaces and urban areas, the students spent time taking a step back to further understand their own impact on these areas as well as their responsibility to help them thrive. We are grateful for the engagement, curiosity, and fun the students brought to the program each day. We wish you all the best throughout the remainder of your school year and look forward to working with you in the future.

Thank you to the Branksome Hall students and teachers for an incredible canoe trip program in Algonquin Park. From the moment the students stepped off the bus the energy and enthusiasm displayed set the tone for the entire experience. We hope the sunsets, time amongst the trees, and shared laughter deepened your connection to the Branksome Hall community and the outdoor environment. Wishing you all the best for the remainder of the school year and looking forward to working with you all in the fall.

Thank you to the Holy Trinity School Gr.8 students and teachers for an incredible canoe trip program in Algonquin Park. We hope the sunsets, time amongst the trees, and shared laughter deepened your connection to the HTS community and the outdoor environment. Wishing you all the best for the remainder of the school year and looking forward to working with you all in the future.

We are so grateful to have spent a week in Algonquin Park with students and teachers from Zeballos Elementary Secondary School. Traveling from a northern coastal community on Vancouver Island, these students had many new learnings and experiences throughout the program. Whether the students were swimming, paddling, climbing, or hiking they still found time to reflect, laugh, connect with one another, and step out of their comfort zones in this new environment. We wish you well as you close off the remainder of the school year and look forward to working with you again in the future.

We are so grateful to the Hillfield Strathallan College Gr.4 & M9 students and faculty for an incredible program. Our time in the sunshine and amongst the trees was spent exploring the nature trails and trying new activities such as high ropes, archery, and team initiatives. The focus of the program was to help students deepen their understanding of friendship and strengthen their connections to one another as these two classes come together for Grade 5 this coming school year. Wishing you all the best for the rest of the school year and looking forward to working with you all again soon.

Each spring, for over two decades, St. Michael’s College School students have gathered up north for their Leadership Training Camp. All the students that attend move through a series of workshops and sessions aimed at setting them up for success so they can be positive role models for their younger SMC peers at ALIVE Fall and Winter camps.  Thank you to everyone who helped mentor these future leaders. 

Thank you to all of the RSGC Gr.11 students and accompanying teachers for an incredible week out on Vancouver Island. We spent our time out on the trails hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and sea kayaking. Students deepened their connections to one another through conversations and reflective sessions focused on legacy, leadership, and how they wanted to be perceived as a grade. Wishing you all the best throughout the rest of the school year and as you move into your Grade 12 year at RSGC!