Meadowridge School

Earlier this spring, our grade 5 students paid a visit to Camp Elphinstone and Britannia Mines. Students describe their experience below:

The grade five students visited Britannia Mines on their way to camp Elphinstone. We learned about the origins, the workings, the community and the minerals that were mined from 1904-1974. We compared the different practices and the machinery that was used throughout the seventy years with today’s innovative and advanced technology. The grade five students discussed the environmental impact and dangers associated with mining different minerals and rocks. We were taken on a wagon train ride into the mine tunnel to learn about how mining evolved from the “jack hammer” to the “Jackson water drill”. It was very interesting to gain a better understanding of how people eat, transport and survive in an underground mine. After adjusting to the sunlight we took on the role of gold prospectors and went panning for gold. Most of us found various minerals including gold flakes and iron pyrite or “fool’s gold”. Next, we watched a movie on how mining is conducted in Canada and then it was time to take off our mining hats and get ready for camp.

Our bus journey took us to Horseshoe Bay where we boarded a ferry to Langdale on the Sunshine Coast. We were greeted by our counselors, Ryan, Jonny, and Laurel and we were taken to YMCA Camp Elphinstone. Our class was all too excited to get to camp and have a couple of days of fun. Our program for the week included many leadership and team building activities. A few students were brave risk-takers and got wet with a polar dip in the freezing water at 6 degrees Celsius. We also got wet while kayaking and team canoeing. We pulled bows and shot arrows and participated in a challenging low ropes course. We learned survival techniques in the forest including building fires from twigs and camouflage (hiding). The delicious nutritious food reenergized us daily and got us ready for more activities and games. It was a wonderful, playful camp and the grade fives had a lot of fun.

We would like to graciously thank our teachers, Ms. Metz and Mr. Diniz, the parent chaperones for taking us on this field trip; Mrs. Chapman, Mrs. Atkinson and Mr. Didyk!

Camp Elphinstone – you were awesome!

(Compiled by Kieran Wood, Richard Laurie and Nicolas Marin)

In response to the spread of Influenza H1N1, Meadowridge is following the precautionary recommendations outlined by the Fraser Health Authority:

• Continue all educational programs and school activities as per usual.

• Report any influenza-like illness school absenteeism of greater than 10 percent of the school population to your local health unit.

• Allow students and children who may have been exposed to the Influenza A H1N1 virus who are feeling well and not showing any symptoms to participate in regular activities.