Last week 27 students from the Upper Grand District School Board participated in a four-day trip to St. Donat, Quebec.
St. Donat is located in the Laurentian Mountains, not far from Mont Tremblant. This is the third annual trip to the town.
The students represented Centennial CVI, Centre Wellington DHS, Erin DHS, Orangeville DSS and Wellington Heights SS. Teacher chaperones were Teresa Katerberg from Erin DHS, Stephanie Severn from Wellington Heights SS and Christina Schilling, curriculum leader.
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.
Many of the “animateurs” are full-time circus artists and buskers, and they share an incredible energy with the students. Officials say many students picked up a few new circus acts to amaze their friends.
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. The conditions were excellent and the view from the top of Mont Garceau was spectacular.
A highlight this year was skating outside at night on a 2km lighted track that wove through the woods. Plans are already underway for the 2014 annual FSL Upper Grand trip to St Donat, Quebec.
