Deepening Our Global Understanding
By Tim Rollwagen
During the upcoming March Break, 37 students and 6 staff leaders will be heading around the world on several Global Learning Trips. They will be travelling to Peru for a cultural, spirituality and wellness experience, South Africa for a marine and terrestrial ecology experience, and Ecuador and Galapagos for a cultural and biology experience. New this year, the teams took part in the first ever Global Learning Pre-Trip Retreat at the Bark Lake Conference and Leadership Centre in the Haliburton Highlands, a scenic camp on a beautiful lake in the woods. It was a weekend of personal growth, where relationships were fostered and strengthened, and students were encouraged to think critically about themselves and their place in the world.
During the upcoming March Break, 37 students and 6 staff leaders will be heading around the world on several Global Learning Trips. They will be travelling to Peru for a cultural, spirituality and wellness experience, South Africa for a marine and terrestrial ecology experience, and Ecuador and Galapagos for a cultural and biology experience. New this year, the teams took part in the first ever Global Learning Pre-Trip Retreat at the Bark Lake Conference and Leadership Centre in the Haliburton Highlands, a scenic camp on a beautiful lake in the woods. It was a weekend of personal growth, where relationships were fostered and strengthened, and students were encouraged to think critically about themselves and their place in the world.
The retreat objective was simple: prepare our students and teams for their March break trips so that they can get the most out of their global learning experiences. A focus on strengthening relationships, making connections and improving self-awareness were at the forefront. After a snowy journey north, the groups unpacked and headed out for their first team building challenges in the deepening snow. They spent the day playing together outside, gaining new insights about the country that they are visiting and coming together as a team. Students and trip leaders alike remarked about the power of working in their teams to discover their countries, themselves, and each other. One of the most important moments involved students and leaders becoming more aware of their privileges and how an awareness of these privileges can impact the way we see the world.
Another highlight was the opportunity for groups to express themselves artistically. It was amazing to witness teams working together and expressing themselves in this way. Many pieces highlighted the places that they will see, their hopes and fears, and their learning about themselves. Two notable pieces included Katherine Petrasek’s creation of an authentic Incan ‘frill’ and Xavien Panjwani’s carefully crafted poem about his new insights on Peru. Our day ended with s'mores around a campfire in true LCS fashion, while groups were tasked to sing a song from their respective country, both a challenging and entertaining event!
Sunday morning following breakfast, each team presented their artistic creations to the group. This was a great moment where sharing allowed everyone a window into each of the respective trips, learning, and team dynamics. After lunch, the teams headed into the woods for a final snowshoe bonding experience. It was truly amazing to see how much 24 hours and a shared experience brought people and groups together.
Students were asked to reflect on their favourite part of the retreat:
“I think that learning about what your country, team and yourself ... prepared me more because I am now more familiar with the country before visiting. Also, I know everyone in my group and we are past the awkward stage of meeting new people. I think we are all able to be comfortable opening up to each other about any concerns we might have. Taking the time to really evaluate myself and think about what I'm good at and writing what I'm worried about down took away some nervousness by letting it all out.”
“Learning about my country helped rationalise some of my fears, and give me some background for how to behave abroad, while simply spending time with my team helped me to become comfortable around the people I will have to trust on my trip”
“These activities made me realize of all the privileges which we have, and how that will be important to remember as we go in countries where people will be less fortunate. It also made me understand more about Ecuador and Galápagos Islands.”
“I become closer with some new people as well as becoming closer to people who are already my best friends. I was also able to see what it's gonna be like when I get there and to just be thankful and mindful of what I have.”
“Really getting to know my group, we didn't really know each other before. I didn't really know exactly what to expect on this trip until I went on his retreat. The privileges activity was really eye opening and I really enjoyed that.
“Honestly I think everything was great! It was an awesome time and allowed us to get to know our country and the people within our group.”
“It really opened my eyes to how lucky I am and how grateful I am to even be going on the trip which makes me even more excited.”
School Information
4391 County Road 29, Lakefield Ontario K0L 2H0 705.652.3324 admissions@lcs.on.ca
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Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
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