On September 2, the Tuesday after Labour Day, our very brave Grade 7 and 9 students boarded a bus for Camp Arowhon. Many of these students knew no one with whom they were about to spend the next 4 days. This is how we begin the school year in Grades 7 and 9.

Camp Arowhon is located on the picturesque Tepee Lake in the heart of Algonquin Park. The students participated in team building activities, working together to solve problems, and experienced pushing themselves out of their comfort zones and trying new things, such as paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, vertical ropes and a climbing wall. We had experiences in the forest silence, learning to use our senses to fully experience the beauty of the outdoors. We participated in our famous early morning Polar dips and worked together with other students in our Houses to compete in the Holy Name Olympics.

The unplugged days created an atmosphere of true bonding and self-discovery, not only with each other but with the ALIVE staff and the HNMCS teachers. The group was able to appreciate the beauty of Algonquin Park as they watched the leaves change colours before their eyes. It was a trip that everyone will hold in their hearts for years to come. Until next time Arowhon!