Earlier in October my Grade 9 class went to Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island to take part in an overnight canoeing trip around the surrounding islands. Not only did we have amazing weather and killer views, we learned survival skills, challenged our endurance and grew closer as a class along the way.
Heading Out on Adventure
We started really early in the morning, meeting at the school and taking the bus to the ferry to get to Vancouver Island. After that, we had a long bus ride to Strathcona, about three to four hours. We had a lot of fun playing poker on the bus to pass the time.
When we arrived, it was all about getting ready for the trip the next day. We didn’t even unpack very much, other than to have the camp counsellors check our gear to make sure no one was missing anything. I felt prepared because I followed the packing list the school gave us beforehand. I was mostly just excited to get going, since the canoeing would start the next day.
Sleeping Under the Stars
The first day was a challenge, in a good way. I’ve been canoeing and kayaking before but never for more than an hour or so. Our group of nine students, with our teachers and guides, had four canoes and we paddled 12 kilometers to our campsite! Others canoed 15 kilometers to their sites. It took a lot of endurance, especially because the lake was so large, but I really enjoyed that we got to steer the canoes and be surrounded by the great views.Â
When we made it to the campsite we got straight to work. First they taught us the important knots we would need, and then we had to set up our tarp ourselves. It was really important that it be secure, so we would be safe overnight. We also learned how to properly store our gear so that it would be dry in case of rain or morning dew. Students even helped cook dinner too. We were really involved in the whole process. Before this trip, I had no idea how to tie proper knots or set up a tarp, but now I feel like I could handle myself pretty well with those survival skills.
The next day we had oatmeal for breakfast and then set out on the water again. This day we only had to go about six kilometers to make it back, so the journey was more varied. We had plenty of snacks for the boat and then moored on a random island for lunch. Overall it was an amazing trip and I’m so glad I got to go.
What Outdoor Education Means to Me
Outdoor education, for me, is such a great part of the school. I’m really grateful that we get these opportunities that I wouldn’t get to experience otherwise. And once I graduate I’ll have to plan these kinds of trips myself if I want to go, so it’s amazing that the school organizes them for us now.
I love how these trips bring everyone in my grade together. I got to spend time with people I don’t usually talk to and, by the end, we were all bonded by the shared experience. Sometimes outdoor education can be challenging and uncomfortable, especially when you’re sleeping outside. But as difficult as those situations can be sometimes, everyone in our group is experiencing the same thing and because of that we can find community in each other.
These outdoor education trips have taught me to be open to new experiences and not to shy away from things that feel uncomfortable. I think it’s really important to bring a positive attitude into an experience right from the start. It makes a big difference and helps to push through those challenging moments, whether that’s surviving the outdoors or in class. And when things do get tough, my greatest tool is my friends. We really lean on each other and it makes all the difference.
If there’s one thing I want to pass onto younger students or anyone who is maybe unsure about going on an outdoor trip, it’s that they should go for it! These trips are such a special part of SJS. You’ll challenge yourself, you’ll learn a lot and you’ll make memories that you’ll never forget, all while having a ton of fun along the way.
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