Grade 7 and 9s Kick Off School Year at Camp
As is tradition at St. Michael’s College School (SMCS), the first week of school for our Grade 7 and 9 students means boarding buses and travelling north for a week of outdoor and experiential education and community-building.
Close to 250 students in total visited Camp Wanakita in Haliburton, Ontario, for three nights and four days, where they learned about themselves and their classmates and participated in orientation activities to introduce them to the SMCS community.
Senior students led campers through several outdoor activities, including obstacle courses, climbing and rope activities, swimming, paddling, and other community-building exercises focused on building a sense of brotherhood. The trips were each capped off with an outdoor candlelit mass with Fr. May, CSB and Fr. Leung, CSB.
Here is what some of the campers had to say:
“The camp experience was enjoyable and focused on exploring the outdoors. I also think it worked on getting everyone to know each other better, so the camp was fun overall to make new friends. My favourite thing that we did there was the hikes because they were very calm and relaxing and helped people realize how there’s more to the world than staying in your room.” – Brendan Connelly, Grade 7
“The camps at St. Michael’s are unforgettable and some of my favourite school experiences. They are more than just a chance to get away from school; they are about facing challenges and having experiences that helped me connect with people I may have been nervous around. These camps allowed me to work together, solve problems, and build bonds that will last longer than my time at St. Michael’s. They represent the essence of the experience here at St. Michael’s. Thank you for the opportunity and the countless memories.” – Carson Walsh, Grade 9
“My experience at Camp Wanakita was definitely an unforgettable one. The weather was fantastic, giving us a great opportunity to participate in many different outdoor activities while getting to know the other Grade 7 students. Learning to start a fire, low rope climbing, and paddleboarding were a great way to kick off my first official week of school at St. Michael’s College School.” – Daniel Fantilli, Grade 7
“From the moment I received my camp T-shirt at the registration table, I knew I belonged. I gained friendship and formed a brotherhood that provided laughter and encouragement. My teammates and my team leader showed me a sense of belonging.” – Nathaniel Burnett, Grade 9
Check out a selection of photos from this year’s camp experience:
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