Mackay Center & Camp Massawippi: LCC Students Learn About Themselves and Others

Posted on November 29, 2011 by admin

On Monday, November 7, we left on our experience trip with the Mackay children to Camp Massawippi (view gallery). We departed from the MacKay Centre at around 9:00 am and as we boarded the adapted transport bus that would take us to the camp, all the Mackay kids had huge smiles on their faces as per usual. We were all extremely excited for this new adventure. We stopped at Tim Horton’s for some donuts, coffee and hot chocolate on the way, and when we arrived at camp it was already around 11:00 am.

It was a beautiful fall day, so after unpacking and having a quick lunch we all went on a short hike. To be honest, it was no easy feat pushing the wheelchairs up the mountain but it was worth it in the end. We cut down a small tree for them to take back to their classroom to decorate for Christmas. As hard as it was, to see the children constantly smiling, we would have had pushed the wheelchairs up and down a thousand times.

After the hike we had an arts and crafts session where we made picture frames and portraits with the kids. We let them dry in the back and proceeded to the next activity, which in fact was dancing. The kids all have their own music preferences, and they really had fun as we danced and moved the wheelchairs to the rhythm of the music.

Finally dinner came along and BBQ chicken had been prepared. The meals were delicious and it was just like being at home. After dinner we went down to the lake where some of us had already prepared the campfire. We talked and laughed and roasted marshmallows and prepared banana boats. The first day was a dream and it went by so quickly!

On our second day at Camp Massawippi, we had another great day filled with fun activities. After the kids woke up and ate some breakfast, we took them on a nice walk along the road leading to the camp, and met up with Mark, one of their teachers who couldn’t come for the whole trip because of an injury, so the kids were really happy to see him when he drove up for the day. The weather was beautiful once again, and we all really enjoyed the walk. The sun was out and it wasn’t too cold or too hot. Afterwards, we hung out down by the beach and Mark talked to the kids while we were playing with his hyperactive dog, Mario.

We returned to camp for a lunch of chicken fingers and French fries, which everyone enjoyed. Later on, a couple of the Mackay kids got to lie down on a mat and play with Mario, who was very careful and affectionate with them. The weather was so nice that day that we even had the chance to go out and play in the field, throw some balls around (before Mario ate them!) and relax. That afternoon we also painted a mural with the kids that was really nice; hopefully it’ll be hung in their classroom at the school. Afterwards, we were all ready for a rest and decided to watch the movie Up! For dinner we had lasagna and salad, and apple crumble for dessert. That night we went out for a second campfire, this time in the field and ate some marshmallows. A couple of people decided eating them wasn’t exciting enough and put them on each other’s faces instead; either way – a fun time! At night, after the kids went to bed we sat on the couches and watched The Incredibles, a good ending to an amazing day.

Wednesday morning, our last day, we were all up early to make a special brunch for the Mackay kids. Some of us were in charge of making French toast, others cooked bacon and tater tots. It was a great breakfast and a nice way to end the trip. As things were getting packed up we all had fun doing face-painting with the kids, and then finally got back into the bus for the return trip to Montreal. We all agreed that this was an amazing experience and one that we would never forget. The trip really makes you learn a lot about yourself and others, and makes you realize how lucky you are, and that you should never take life for granted. We can’t wait to see the Mackay kids again sometime soon!— Pietro Cammalleri ’13, Sam Ergina ’12, Claire Greenbaum ’13, Erin Masson ’13, Julia Peterson ’13, Liam Reckziegel ’13

International Round Square Conference – England – 2011

Posted on October 26, 2011 by admin

October 25, 2011

I’ve been to numerous conferences in my lifetime. Although the conferences have been useful, in most cases I can’t really say they were exciting. Perhaps a speaker was particularly dynamic or perhaps I was exposed to a new idea. Round Square conferences, however, are very exciting. It is definitely a thrill to see the smiles on the young delegates faces and at times it is impossible not to be completely swept away by their enthusiasm and positive energy. A very common comment from the young delegates at the end of these conferences is “that was the best time of my life.” Now I know that young people can be impulsive and impressionable, but nonetheless it feels very good to hear such a positive comment after an activity, which is intended to enrich the educational experience. I guess we could say that youth conferences like the ones of Round Square accomplish great things.

As educators we hope that the young Round Square delegates will learn more about issues related to the Round Square “IDEALS” – Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership and Service. For sure the conferences address all of these “IDEALS.” However, for the students the excitement of meeting so many young people from around the world is probably the biggest thrill. They listen intently to the speakers, they attend the “barazza” groups (student-led discussion groups), they participate enthusiastically in all of the activities and they do not cause any difficulties to the adult supervisors. But when they attend the plenary sessions that are more oriented to social interaction and entertainment, the enthusiasm simply explodes. To be in the middle of eight hundred 15-16 year olds who are all waving flags from countries around the world, swaying back and forth in unison to the hit song “Wavin’ Flag” by K’naan – well – truly exciting. In fact for many of us adults, it brought tears to our eyes. Too bad all of you could not experience this. The students will remember this positive experience for the rest of their lives and I will too!– John Gordon, School Counsellor

Schools on Board: The End of an Extraordinary Experience

Posted on October 12, 2011 by admin

October 10, 2011

It turns out I’m only getting home today, instead of Friday. A series of unusual circumstances such as satellite problems and weather issues resulted in Schools on Board participants spending an extra 2-3 nights in Kugluktuk. I slept in a bed at the Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife last night for the first time in five nights. Being stranded in an isolated community would not have been bearable if weren’t for all the people helping us in Kugluktuk. The principal of Kugluktuk high school was very accommodating in letting us sleep in the school for five nights. Other community members were also invaluable in driving us to and from the airport each day we tried getting out, as well as helping us find things to keep us busy. All the children greeting us in the streets cheered us up. And if it weren’t for the program coordinator, teachers and parents constantly rebooking hotels and flights, we would never have made it out. It’s been quite the adventure and I’m happy to be finally heading home today. —Karen Butt ’12

Follow Schools on Board

Schools on Board: A Warm Welcome in Kugluktuk

Posted on October 12, 2011 by admin

October 5, 2011

In the morning, we crossed the street to go to the elementary school to give the students a presentation about our experience on board the Amundsen. We didn’t realize we’d be presenting to such a young audience, but we did a good job adapting our presentation on the spot. It was nice to hear the students ask so many insightful questions.

A science teacher at the high school then took us for a hike near the Coppermine River, just outside Kugluktuk. He explained the geological history of the area to us, which was much different than learning from a textbook because we were actually standing on the rocks he was telling us about. We came back and presented to the high school students.

We also went to the grade 7 Inuinnaqtun class. An elder in the community told us some Inuit legends and explained the way she lived as a child. I find it remarkable to see how well the Inuit have adapted to a living a Western lifestyle in such a short period of time.

In the evening, we had a community feast. The students performed traditional dance routines for us, and we also had some demonstrations of Arctic sports. We then had a meal with some of the students and other members of the community. I got to try some Arctic char! What a great way to end our stay in the Arctic! —Karen Butt ’12

Schools on Board: Leaving the Amundsen—by Helicopter!

Posted on October 12, 2011 by admin

October 4, 2011

This morning involved some final packing and clean up, followed by boarding the helicopter to go back to Kugluktuk. No one wanted to get off the ship, but getting another helicopter ride was still fun. Once everyone had been flown over, we started walking from the airport into the community of Kugluktuk. We joined the grade 12 science class and the students took us on a scavenger hunt designed to have us see most of town. Being in Kugluktuk was different because everyone knows each other, and all the people were greeting us and asking who we were.

When we got back to the school, we set up gym mats and sleeping bags on the floor of the school computer lab, our bedroom for the next two nights. Afterwards, we thought about our meals and went grocery shopping. There are only two stores in town: Northern and Co-op. Everything is really expensive and the selection is limited. For example, 12 cans of pop cost $20 and a bag of chips is $6. Fruits and vegetables had to be thoroughly inspected before being purchased. Nonetheless, the pasta we cooked for supper was delicious. —Karen Butt ’12