Summer is Camping Time

SWIS summer camps were lots of fun!

The Settlement Worker in Schools (SWIS) program organized 2 camping trips for incoming grades 5 to 12 students at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park this summer.

Eighteen students, Canadian-born and newcomer, joined the Peer Leadership Camp that was held on July 14-16, 2015. This camp focused on developing leadership skills such as good communication, teamwork, and critical thinking; skills the participants could utilize to be effective peer leaders to newcomer students in their schools. Some of the activities that participants of this camp enjoyed were the "Minute-to-Win-It" games, "Capture the Flag", and canoeing.

The Adventure Camp, held on July 21-23, 2015, initiated the participants to the joys, and woes, of camping in Canada. There were also 18 students, all newcomers, who joined this camp. They learned how to set up tents, cook over the fire, and enjoy their time with nature, away from their gadgets. They played games such as hide-and-seek, tag, and "Capture the Flag". They also went on a "treasure" hunt and ate smores.

The SWIS program would like to thank the donors and sponsors (Community Initiatives Fund, Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada), as well as, the staff of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, and all the volunteers that made these camps possible.