Camping Prep, Team Bonding & Ice Skating Fun!
Today was one of those full, exciting days where there was always something going on! We started off with an earlier breakfast than usual to make sure we had enough time for everything we wanted to do.
In the morning, we had three fun English lessons where we learned new things, practiced our speaking, and played a few language games. After our classes, we headed to the cafeteria for lunch—it was delicious, and everyone left full and happy.
After lunch, it was time to start preparing for our upcoming camping trip! First, we found out our tent groups—these are the people we’ll be sharing tents with on the trip. Everyone was excited to see who they'd be paired with. Then, we had a little tent-building workshop where we learned how to set up the tents properly and made sure we had all the equipment and supplies we’ll need. There were lots of great questions and helpful teamwork!
Then came one of the most fun parts of the day: our tent bonding games! These games were all about building trust, laughing together, and getting comfortable with our new groups. Here are just a few of the activities we played:
Tug of War – a fun way to test our strength and teamwork!
The Oreo Challenge – each person placed an Oreo on their forehead and had to move it into their mouth using only their face (no hands!). Lots of laughs!
Toothpick Lifesaver Game – we passed a candy from person to person using only toothpicks held in our mouths… harder than it looks!
Bat Race – we had to spin around a baseball bat 10 times and then try to run back. Everyone got super dizzy and it was hilarious to watch!
Sponge Relay – transfer water using a sponge on your forehead—messy, tricky, and super fun.
Water Tube Challenge – two students faced off by blowing into a long tube filled with water. Whoever couldn’t keep the pressure got splashed in the face!
The kids were laughing nonstop, cheering for their teammates, and having an amazing time. We ended the games with a big water balloon toss, which quickly turned into a full water balloon fight! Everyone got soaked, but no one seemed to mind—it was one of the highlights of the day.
After drying off, we focused on getting our sleeping bags ready and then worked on our team t-shirts. Each tent group created their own shirt with their team name and designs—everyone got really creative and the results were awesome! The shirts will be perfect to wear on our camping trip and make great souvenirs.
Later in the day, we took the train to the Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary, where we went ice skating for about an hour. Some kids were already pros, and others tried skating for the first time, but everyone gave it their best shot. It was amazing to skate in such a famous place!
When we got back, it was time for dinner—pizza at the residence—and then we had a little birthday celebration for Maxim! We sang Happy Birthday and enjoyed some yummy birthday cake together. 🎂🥳
Before lights out, we announced our Student of the Day: Janet! She may be quiet, but she’s always kind, helpful, and ready to join in. We’re so lucky to have her in our group. Congratulations, Janet!
After such a busy and exciting day, everyone was ready to rest up for another adventure tomorrow. Stay tuned!
