Recently, 21 students from the Upper Grand District School Board participated in a four-day trip to St. Donat, Quebec.
Located in the Laurentian Mountains not far from Mont Tremblant, St. Donat has been the location of an UGDSB trip for the past four years.
Students represented Centre Wellington DHS, Erin DHS, Orangeville DSS and Wellington Heights SS attended.
Teacher chaperones were Teresa Katerberg from Erin DHS, Stephanie Severn from Wellington Heights SS and Christina Schilling, curriculum leader and teacher at Erin DHS.
Every winter, hundreds of students participate in a full French immersion experience in St. Donat under the expert guidance of “les animateurs” and “les moniteurs” of the tour operator “Perspectives Eduscho Ltd.”
This year’s expedition was part of a group of 240 students representing several Ontario school boards. Students and teachers come together in St. Donat to immerse themselves in the language, culture and outdoor winter activities.
Students took part in activities such as a music and drumming workshop, learning traditional Québecois legends, ecology, snowshoeing at night, cross-country skiing, and a talent show. Half of each day is spent at the ski hill skiing or snowboarding.
For some, being on skies was a first time experience – “merveilleux!” Conditions were excellent, though cold, and the view from the top of Mont Garceau was particularly spectacular. Under crystal clear skies, the last evening was a wonderful starry night spent on the two-kilometre lighted track that weaves through the woods.
Students gained confidence in using their French in a real-life experience, interacting with the locals, the staff and their peers “en français!”
All secondary students enrolled in an FSL program are invited to join in 2015 for the next annual FSL Upper grand trip to St. Donat, Quebec.
submitted by Christina Schilling
