It was that special time of year again when our MYP and DP students took the learning outside of the classroom and trekked into the wilderness to enjoy Meadowridge’s Week Without Walls (WWOW). This highly anticipated week gives our students the opportunity to gain new skills, learn new things, and connect with their peers and teachers on a deeper level.

After a busy and exciting week away with the students, a few of our wonderful teachers recapped how their Week Without Walls unfolded, what they learned, and highlights from their trip.

Grade 6: Camp Elphinstone
Interview with Ms. Cindy Hops

Where did you go?
Our Grade 6 students experienced an exciting week away at Camp Elphinstone in Gibsons, BC.

What did you do?
We had the exhilaration of a ferry ride, then headed to the beach which afforded us access to ocean to canoe, paddleboard, and swim. The facilities were vast and beautifully maintained. The outdoor climbing wall was the tallest one I had ever seen at camp. We also enjoyed hiking and problem-solving on the low ropes course.

What was the best story from the trip?
We savoured every aspect of the outdoors through our activities but one of the highlights was an unscheduled visit from a bear that meandered through our cabin area. The degree to which students’ responded with calm and confidence was inspiring.

What's one thing students were surprised to learn?
The most unexpected lesson was that the most powerful tool in shaping reality is our mind. Day 2 of camping was busy, active exhausting and ….raining. The students were demoralized by the rain and were clamouring for quiet time. Our brilliant Camp Summit leader, Emily, made a deal with the students. If they engaged in their activities in good faith and with open minds for half an hour, they could return to the Main Hall to claim their free time…but they never did! Their decision to whole-heartedly and uncomplainingly engage in fun, empowered the students to rediscover their joy. We learned that joy is not externally defined, it is a state of being and an active choice!

Grade 7: Gibsons Farm
Interview with Ms. Macatangay, Ms. Darcie Hook, and Mr. Kevin Kennedy

Where did you go?
The grade 7’s traveled to Gibson’s Farm for a three-day educational trip to learn about farming.

What did you do?
The students learned to harvest, build fences, care for animals, prepare food, carve and cut wood, and also had time for creativity and running around. We harvested crops like squash and strawberries and learned about goats, ducks, chickens, and ponies. We also got to feed and play with the animals.

What was the group's favourite activity?
Learning about the animals, playing with them, and feeding them were the biggest hit!

What was the best story from the trip?
Some of the boys had a rap battle and performed it for everyone!

What’s one thing students were surprised to learn?
How to graft for fruit trees, specifically apple trees. The Students were also surprised to learn how time-consuming it is to run a farm. 

Here's what a few of our students had to say:

“The homemade drum set at Gibson’s was super fun, and we got to write songs and have rap battles. I learned that you could make a good-sounding drum set with just a few recycled items.” – Eason
“I had more fun than I thought I would.” – Taj


Grade 8: Golden Ears Provincial Park
Interview with Ms. Kerry Stanley and Mr. Scott Rinn

Where did you go?
Camping at Golden Ears Provincial Park

What did you do?
The students had the opportunity to do multiple outdoor-related activities. This included canoeing in large Voyageur canoes, learning about local plant life, understanding the basics of adventure first aid, learning how to build a wilderness shelter, basic orienteering, understanding the history of Golden Ear’s Park, and most notably, learning how to cook their own food using camp stoves.

What was the group's favourite activity?
From the student’s perspective, making s’mores was the main highlight. The students were challenged to get outside of their comfort zone in nearly every activity that they were exposed to. While this was difficult for many of them, they were clearly proud of themselves for being able to overcome some significant challenges. It was also great to see the enjoyment that came from simply getting the opportunity to spend time with their friends and classmates, outside of a school setting.

What was the best story from the trip?
There were many highlights from the trips, but it was great to see how our new students were welcomed into the group by our current students. Another highlight were the skits that were performed by groups of students. With only a short amount of prep time provided, the students had fantastic and funny performances. Everyone also enjoyed seeing Mr. Badie sleeping on an uninflated sleeping mat on the rocky gravel.

What’s one thing students were surprised to learn?
That they are good cooks! They learned how to cook and realized how hard it is to cook food using a camp stove and how much time and effort it takes to clean up after yourself.

Grade 9: Alouette Lake

Our Grade 9 students basked in the natural outdoors as they spent a few adventurous nights camping at Golden Ears Provincial Park. They learned the ins and outs of camping, like how to prepare and cook food, how to pitch a tent, and the importance of teamwork during group challenges.

Grade 10 in Tofino
Interview with Mm. Emily Gish 

Where did you go?
The town of Tofino on Vancouver Island.

What did you do?
We visited Pacific Rim National Park, took part in a guided walks at the beach and rainforest to learn about coastal rainforests. We took surfing lessons, hiked Cox Bay Lookout Point, and camped for a few nights. We also learned about the local First Peoples.

What was the group's favourite activity?
Surfing, hiking, and spending time at the beach.

What was the best story from the trip?
Hiking down Cox Bay Lookout Point together and getting to know each other.

What’s one thing students were surprised to learn?
The students and even teachers loved learning about how crabs “molt” and leave their shells behind on the beach.

Grade 11 & 12 at Loon Lake Retreat Centre
Interview with Mr. Scott Spurgeon and Ms. Isabel Pava

Where did you go?
Loon Lake Lodge and Malcolm Knapp Research Forest in Maple Ridge

What did you do? 
Our students did A LOT! They built rafts, canoed, practiced their target skills with archery, played volleyball, did a scavenger hunt, hiked, played board games, learned about robotics, and navigated a low ropes course. To prepare students for their busy years in the DP Programme, they also learned mindfulness techniques, partook in speed dating preparation skills, and talked about their CAS projects and Extended Essays.

What was the group's favourite activity?
Many students agreed that canoeing was the group’s favorite activity, and the second most popular activity was raft building; many other students mentioned that they liked the food, the archery and playing volleyball.

What was the best story from the trip?
Raft building was a fun activity where the students enjoyed the challenge and helped each other. They also have fun memories of canoeing.

What’s one thing students were surprised to learn?
They did activities they had never done before; learning new activities allowed them to acquire new talents and make new friends.

Here’s what our Grade 11 and 12 students had to say about their trip:
“I learned that trying new activities can be beneficial to learn new talents and make new friends. Bonding with new people enables me to be more talkative and interact more.” – Griffin
“I liked cracking jokes at the low ropes course.” Sharlene
“Something I learned: how to public speak.” Sam
“I learned how to successfully build a raft.” Paige
“The weather was really nice besides the last day.” Aryana