Trips and tours
Broadening perspectives during the break
In addition to being a week set aside for some much needed rest and relaxation, the November midterm break also afforded some Shawnigan students the opportunity to travel, attend conferences and expand their perspectives.
Sixteen junior delegates, mentored by four senior students, attended the Vancouver Youth Model United Nations in Whistler. Justin L. and Ressa M. were both recognized with an honourable mention for their roles representing Switzerland in the United Nations Human Rights Commission. Social Studies teacher and Model UN instructor Paul Klassen notes that the group owe a special thank you to the Gave family who hosted the Shawnigan delegation at their home for a memorable dinner.
A different group set off on the recreational “Rocky Mountaineer” trip to explore well-known tourist spots in Alberta and B.C. The trip encompassed the Banff Film and Book Festival, Sulphur Mountain, and Lake Louise, the outdoors mecca of Revelstoke, and Radium Hot Springs. The group also spent time at Fort Steele Heritage Town where they learned about the construction of the railroad across Canada in the 1800s and had the opportunity to build a small section of track by hand using traditional tools. This historical immersion also included learning 19th century leatherworking skills, cooking a meal of elk stew and bannock over a campfire, and spending the night in the original RCMP Barracks with only a wood stove for warmth. For many, a highlight of the trip was a Calgary Flames versus Chicago Blackhawks NHL ice hockey game at the Saddledome in Calgary on the way home.
Finally, a group of film enthusiasts travelled to Seattle for the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY), the largest youth film festival in the world, to immerse themselves in four days of creativity amongst fellow filmmakers and industry professionals. Byron C., Freddy W., Owen Z. and Martin G. were fortunate enough to enjoy this unparalleled opportunity to view student films and meet with other young directors, producers, editors, cinematographers and actors who travelled from around the globe to share their work, listen, learn, network, develop new projects, forge new friendships, and discover new horizons.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
