Ms. D asked me to speak with you today about my Beyond the Gates experience. An experience that I can say, without any hesitation, fundamentally shaped my Shawnigan Journey and helped me grow as a person far beyond what I could’ve predicted.

 

Back in Grade 9, I was sitting right where you are now. When the Beyond the Gates end-of-year trip was introduced to us, I remember the presentation clearly. I also remember my reaction: “Perfect… another Wednesday Gathering ending with another long speech.” And I’m absolutely positive that some of you might be thinking the same thing right now. Trust me, I get it. But I promise what I’m sharing today is worth listening to, because it’s something that genuinely changed my life.

 

After that presentation, I didn’t think much about the trip. Even though I was passionate about the outdoors, I wasn’t sure I wanted to commit to something that sounded so long, so unfamiliar, and honestly, a little intimidating. Twelve days away, in the wilderness, with people I didn’t know super well yet? It felt easier to just stay in my comfort zone, enjoy the start of summer, and skip the whole thing. So I didn’t sign up.

 

A couple of weeks went by, and I forgot all about it. Then, out of nowhere, I got an email from Ms. D. She told me there was one spot left and wrote a personal letter to me explaining why she believed I would thrive on that trip. I remember reading it multiple times. I was still unsure, and I kept thinking of reasons to say no. But on the other hand, something about the opportunity felt rare, like it was calling me in a way I couldn’t quite explain. So I took a risk. I signed up. And the moment I did, excitement started to take over.

 

Looking back now, taking that leap is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

 

Our expedition lasted 12 days. The first part was spent paddling around the Broken Group Islands in the Pacific Rim National Park. If you’ve never been, it’s one of the most breathtaking places in Canada. Scattered islands, crystal water, wildlife everywhere, and this deep sense of quiet that you can only experience out on the ocean.

 

Every day we paddled from island to island, exploring hidden coves, untouched beaches, and

forests that felt completely removed from the rest of the world. We visited ancient Indigenous village sites, learned about the histories tied to those lands, and had moments where the only sound around us was the gentle splash of our paddles. It was surreal. It felt like stepping into a different time. And for me, it was the first moment I realized how moving nature can be when you really immerse yourself in it.

 

The second part of our journey took us onto the iconic West Coast Trail. If you’ve heard anything about it, you know it’s no small challenge. It’s rugged, dramatic, and littered with history. We visited old lighthouses perched on cliffs, saw the remains of shipwrecks washed up on the beach, and met the most incredible Indigenous trail guardians who shared stories and wisdom that have stuck with me.

 

Each day on the trail felt like a new adventure. We would wake up to the sound of the ocean, lace up our boots, and start hiking through forests, over ladders, across suspension bridges, and along miles of beach. We saw grey whales breaching in the distance. In the evenings, as the sun set into the Pacific Ocean, we all sat around the fire chatting about the day's business late into the night. And of course, there was Mr. Mayes casually strolling back to camp in Tsusiat Falls after coming face-to-face with a black bear like it was just another Wednesday.

 

But as incredible as the scenery and the wildlife were, those weren’t the things that stayed with me the most. What made the trip unforgettable were the people and the connections that formed along the way.

 

There’s something special that happens when you share challenges with others, when you paddle through wind together, when you push through that last stretch of a long hike, when you sit around a campfire laughing about the day’s chaos. Those moments create real bonds, the kind you can’t fake and can’t recreate anywhere else. I made friendships on that trip that I still hold close today. We formed inside jokes that still come up years later, and memories that we’ll probably still be laughing about when we graduate.

 

Taking that risk, stepping into something uncertain, is what allowed all of that to happen. I didn’t know I would love it. I didn’t know it would light my passion for the outdoors. But I took a chance. 

 

I’m not standing here telling you that you must go on a 12-day wilderness trip. What I am saying is this: if something about Beyond the Gates makes you feel a little nervous, a little unsure, or even a little curious, that might be exactly why you should consider it. Growth doesn’t happen when you stay comfortable. It happens when you step into something unfamiliar, something that challenges you, something that asks more of you than you’re used to giving.

 

My Beyond the Gates trip provided me with unforgettable experiences, deepened my confidence, sparked a passion, and left me with memories that I’ll continue to cherish for the rest of my life.

 

So I invite you all to think about what excites you, what scares you just a little, and what might push you outside your comfort zone. Because that’s where some of the most meaningful moments in your life will come from. And although it might sound cliché, I learned firsthand that this trip wasn’t about the destination. It was about the journey – the people, the challenges, the lessons, and the impact it left on me long after the trip ended.