Community Involvement

Sunday July 26th
Though they were informed as to what they would do, they had no idea what their actual duties were. Students dressed comfortable and got on the bus at 9 to head towards Rouge park. Rouge park is where the organization called 10,000 Trees plant about 10,000 sapling each each. Their job was to mulch the trees to help the trees grow stronger. By 10 everybody held a shovel or a bucket and were working diligently to save the trees and save the planet. It was not an easy task, and everyone was exhausted at the end but it made them proud knowing that their work will not have been in vain and that future generation will reap the fruits of their effort.

Taste of Toronto

Saturday July 25th

Students got on the public transit and traveled downtown for the taste of Toronto trip. The students were taken to a multi-cultural buffet for lunch. Then they got back on TTC to go to St. Lawrence Market.
St. Lawrence market is one of Toronto's major marketplace where many things can be found and bought. Farmer's market operate every saturday and on sundays antiques are sold here. From Japanese to Italian cuisine, there are many great foods that can be tried here. Students embarked on a scavenger hunt in this market looking for things such as apple danish, royal canadian mounted police, live lobster, and pasta making machine. All the teams were able to located every item on the list and received shopping time in the market for souvenirs. It was a great experience.

Ontario Science Centre and Blue Jays Game

Wednesday July 22nd

The excursion of this day was Ontario Science Centre and Blue Jays game.

Ontario Science Centre is a science museum where you do not just learn through your eyes but with your whole body. The museum is very interactive and there are many interesting exhibits for you to try. This year the special exhibit is on spying and reptiles. Students enjoyed looking at interesting science facts and learning new things.
In the evening we went to Rogers Centre, the baseball stadium for Toronto Blue Jays. They faced Cleveland Indians. Some students did not know the rules of baseball but enjoyed it nonetheless because of the atmosphere. We cheered together, jeered together and had a good laugh. Toronto got many home runs to our surprise. The ended as Toronto's win and had everyone smiling in the end.

French Tour

French Tour July 17th to 19th

On Friday, students woke up early in the morning to get in to the coach that were waiting for them. The coach was going to take them on a 3 day journey into the heart of French Canada, Montreal and Quebec City.
The first stop, however, was not Montreal but Ottawa. We got to visit the Parliament Hill and got to see statues, buildings, and even a cat sanctuary. Some students even got to meet a real life Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Then we were given time to have lunch at the ByWard Market.

Our next destination was Montreal. Montreal was Canada's economic capital until Toronto took its place. Even now it still retains most of its former glory. Though Toronto and Montreal are both similar in many aspect, they are both very unique and are quite distinguished from each other. The students got to experience first hand the difference between the two. We had a delicious dinner and stayed the night there.
On the second day we arrived at Quebec City, the oldest city in North America. Much of the city is involved in government work and tourism. The city still retains fortifications and much of its architecture. The students were able to look around Quebec city and look at Chateau Frontenac, a most photographed castle in the world. There was also Summer festival being held in Quebec city at the time so we got to hear Sting play live.
On the third day we revisited Montreal to walk near the old port of Montreal. Students were given time to shop and eat lunch at the Jacque Cartier square.

When we came back everyone was exhausted from the long drive home but it was a great experience.

Wonderland

Wednesday July 15thOn July 15th, Students visited Canada's Wonderland. It is a very large amusement park with numerous attractions. There are plenty of roller coasters and thrill rides for excitement lovers and also many games for students to try, like ring toss and basketball shooting. Some students were running from one roller coaster to another in a race against time to ride them all while some chose to take it nice and easy, to relax and enjoy the park at their own pace. In the end everyone was tired but satisfied.

Global Leader Project

Sunday July 12th

This was the very first Global Leader project for the students. They had to imagine themselves as creators of a new nation, and had to come up with various things necessary for a nation: A president/leader, flag, national anthem, etc. The country Daniel's team founded was Country on Fire, and the country Darryl founded was Lardo Land. They also had to paper mache a geographical Outlay of their nation. The finished project was excellent and everybody had a ton of fun.

Niagara Falls

Saturday July 11th

On Saturday the students went to Niagara Falls. It may not be the tallest, nor the largest but it is the world's most visited falls. It is also the world's largest hydro-electric power generating fall. The day was a little gloomy to begin with but fortunately the weather cleared up a bit as we got there. The students got to go on the Maid of the Mist. They enjoyed wearing the blue ponchos they received when they were going on the boat. From a far many of them did not think too much of the falls, but as the boat neared the Horseshoe Fall they experienced first hand the power of nature. Their hair and face was wet with the water of the Niagara river. After looking and taking photos of the falls, the students were given a chance to go shopping at Vaughan Mills mall on the way back.

City Tour

I'm terribly sorry about the late posts. I will try to post something every day, a little picture and a short video clips here and there. But for now, let me try to bring you up to date what has happened since the second day of the camp (about 3 weeks worth of activity)

Wednesday July 8th
Wednesday was our trip to the downtown core of Toronto. The students got up bright and early to head to Toronto. For most students it was their first time taking the school bus and were very excited. Our first stop was university of Toronto.

University of Toronto is not only the best medical school in Canada. It is also situated right in the middle of Toronto. The Gothic buildings of the campus are gorgeous and it reflects the architecture of its time fairly well. Students took a walking tour around the campus and observed student life as well as the scenery.


Our second stop was Royal Ontario Museum. Royal Ontario Museum is one of the largest museums in North America and many galleries exhibit works of arts, fossils, and historical artifacts. The museum is also very interactive and the students were allowed to wear costumes, and learn not just through their eyes, but also with their hands and body.








The third stop for the tour was CN tower. Students were able to go up to the CN tower, a famous landmark of Toronto, recognized all around the world. Standing at 533.33 metres, it is the world's tallest tower. Awed by the glass floor of the CN tower students stared wide eyed at the ground down below.


After spending lot of time at the CN tower students went to Eaton centre to shop. They were delighted to find almost all the store they could name in the mall or in the vicinity thereof.

Also it was Marina's Birthday! We had a birthday party for Marina. We had a delicious cake and we sang Happy Birthday to her. She was really surprised because she didn't know what we were planning until I walked in with the cake.

All in all it was a good trip.

Second day at the camp!

Now the camp has officially opened, and today was the second day of school. We also had two new students join us. What did we do today? Let's see.

Today students began their day with breakfast and morning classes. We had a little trouble with the coffeemaker but it was solved thanks to Mert's quick reactions.

For daily activity, the students went to play miniature golf. They went to Cardinal golf club as mentioned in previous post. The place really was beautiful and we had a lot of fun. We got to see Abelardo's golf skills in person. You wouldn't believe how many hole in ones he got.

After dinner, all of the students watched Marley and Me together. It was a very touching movie and we were all sniffling by the end, if not snoring. Tomorrow we head out to Toronto Downtown.
Everyone is really excited about this and I think tomorrow's going to be another action-packed day.

3 days left before summer camp starts!

Well Monday is fast approaching and we are now ready for what is to come.
More students will be arriving tomorrow and Sunday so we are really looking forward to meeting them

As for Iara her early ESL lessons began today and she spent some time with the teachers to hone her English skills. She also picked up many interesting factoids about Canada and Toronto in General.

Today she visited the raspberry farm with the staff to check out the facilities. It is a very beautiful orchard with many many apple trees. I think it will be very exciting to go raspberry picking with everyone. There are guard dogs but I don't know if they do much of guarding.

Then we also visited Centrepoint mall to do some shopping. We learned the hard way that there are no pictures allowed inside any of the shops. So we took photos outside the individual stores.

It's been another eventful day once again here in Toronto. We look forward to more fun and excitement in the upcoming months!

We moved into residence

Hello once again,

Today, our first student Iara arrived from Brazil.
She has been looking forwards to coming to Canada and is excited to be here.
A little tired maybe.
So now we are all nice and settled cozily in Seneca College King Campus.
Excitement awaits!