Bringing the Classroom Outdoors: Outdoor Education Camp 2025
Experiential learning took centre stage as St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) opened its 173rd year with the annual trek north for Grade 7 and 9 students—a powerful platform for personal growth, building connections, and learning.
Grade 7 Camp YMCA Wanakita (EAST)
Filled with excitement, anticipation, and loads of energy, our Grade 7s made the trip to Camp YMCA Wanakita to begin their SMCS journey. Their first week to-do list included building positivity energy, enthusiasm, and a willingness to try new things in nature. A big part of the week for the newest members of SMCS included building connections with classmates, leaders, and teachers alike. Whether they were climbing ropes courses or rock walls, participating in water activities, or relaxing on the beach, the week focused on welcoming students into the community, helping them find themselves and make friends with like-minded individuals, so there is some comfort when students return to school and start classes.
Grade 9 Camp YMCA Wanakita (WEST)
Grade 9 students and SMCS faculty travelled to Camp YMCA Wanakita to reconnect with nature. With joy, excitement, and some apprehension in the air, our Grade 11-12 student leaders graciously welcomed our returning Grade 9 students and built new connections with brand-new classmates. The week was filled with outdoor experiential games and activities, laughs, learning new cheers, and having the opportunity to ‘Be the Good’. The week was capped off with the famous Wanakita Eco-Challenge, in which cabins faced off in a timed race that required them to utilize all the skills and insights learned throughout the week.
Here is what our students had to say:
“This year I was a counsellor for the Grade 7 welcome camp! Looking back, it shocks me that only a year ago, I was a nervous Grade 9 trying to make new friends on the bus. One year later, I’m saying ‘hi’ to nearly everybody and getting excited since I can help mentor the next generation of SMCS! My entire week at camp was terrific! On the first day of camp, I met all the Grade 7s who were going to be my campers. Throughout the week, these guys were amazing! They were so excited and so happy to be at camp that a few days in, they were able to memorize and start all our school chants! It was amazing to be with those boys for a week, and I am so glad that they are at SMCS and that I can see them every day in the halls!”
– Joseph Virgilio, Grade 10
“Grade 9 camp was an experience like none other, that united us not just as a grade or a school, but as a community. Working together through the various activities made me feel closer to my classmates (old and new) and inspired me.”
– Maxwell Jackson, Grade 9
“St. Michael’s camp was an exhilarating experience where I made lots of new friends and met great people. The activities helped us bond, face challenges, and discover a great sense of brotherhood. I will carry Father’s strong words with me throughout my life: ‘I do not want to, but I will because you told me so’.”
– Matthew Palma, Grade 7
“Camp was a great experience that will travel with me forever, making new friends and making all of those unforgettable memories. Doing things that I did not even think were possible. The amazing Wanakita staff made the experience a hundred times better. The best part of the trip to this wonderful camp was the Mass; it was like God gave me a warm hug. That was my experience.”
– Matteo Perri, Grade 7
“Being a senior leader this year at the Grade 7 camp was definitely a bittersweet feeling, as it marks the last time I will be leading at St. Michael’s. However, the amount of fun, genuine laughs and memories I made will not be forgotten. Seeing how spirited and enthusiastic the Grade 7s were to be a part of the school community made me proud and excited for this next generation of St. Michael’s men! I can’t wait to see them and see how they grow into the next leaders of the school!”
– Jaden Garaboto, Grade 12
“It was a privilege to be a student leader at Camp Wanikita with the Grade 9s. This experience allowed students to bond and create unforgettable memories. Seeing returning students welcome incoming students into the SMCS brotherhood was truly remarkable.”
– Andrew Irving, Grade 11
“Being a new student at St. Mike’s, this camp was amazing. To get to know everyone and make these great memories and experiences with them will definitely not be forgotten. All the activities were so fun to be able to do with the friends that we made.”
– R. Jones, Grade 9
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