Getting ready for Algonquin

Today in Outdoor Ed. my teacher had us get tuned for the canoe trip. It started out in the basketball court out in the back campus, where we ran and stretched and ran some more. Then we went inside to the weight room. And what does one do in a weight room? We lifted weights, ourselves and so on for about half an hour. Holy smokes! That was so much work. My partner was Ronja, and she made me laugh a lot. She is a funny girl all together. 

Then we got to go outside and do two laps of the school. I didn't stop at all, since he said when we were done he would let us out. 

In the end, that was the worst Outdoor Ed. class yet. My tummy hurts like never before. And guess what? We get to do it all again on Friday! Hoot-Hoot! 

When I got home I did Biology and Chemistry, then went on a scavenger hunt to find a few of the things we will need for the trip. The picture above shows what I have found so far, and then I still have more to find. How on earth am I going to fit all that, and then some, into my little 20 L bag? I don't know the answer to that one, yet. But I will! 

Have a lovely night/day!

Canoe Practice

Today was the day we practised the canoe stroke technique, is that even what you call it? What ever.... The first task was to actually know where to go. I asked a lot of people from my class, and guessed who knew where we were going? No one. Not a soul. Parker and I asked our teacher and he gave us this weird explanation. Task two was to find Ronja. She was at the blue doors, just like she said she would be. But then we had to wait for what felt like the world (in reality it was about six people) to show up. We got our crowd and we started making our way to the river where we would meet the teacher. We guessed our way for a little bit, then we saw three familiar heads. Ethan, Matthias and Lennox. We fallowed them for the most part, then the veered to the left so they could pick up some food from McDonalds. In the end, we got to the meeting point with time to spare. 12:22. We had to be there by 12:35.

We get there and we are taught the strokes using our paddle. My group, who consisted of Parker, Robbie and I got in the canoe, and I called dibs on the middle. It was the easiest. Parker, who has experience canoeing did the steering and Robbie was in the front. We are on our way down the river, just fine. Then Parker makes a little jagged turn and Robbie could NOT handle it. He yelled, and shuffled around and stopped paddling. Which made the boat turn more, and for him to start yelling more. I couldn't stop laughing, to the point where I wasn't paddling, leaving Parker to do most or all of the work.
Then we switched, and Robbie was steering, and he was just fine, but he still found reasons to yell at Parker.

Then it was my turn to steer. That went over like a lead balloon. I couldn't do the "J" stroke, or the "C" Stroke. We were last to the meeting points both times, when before with Robbie and Parker we were first. I was and still am a little embarrassed. I finally kind of got it, the biggest issue was that I had the smallest paddle I could find and guess who wasn't paddling? Robbie. He had shoulder pains, which forced him to just drag his paddle in the water.

We get back to shore, I portage a canoe for the first time, and kind of, sort of was taught how to do a hitch knot? I forget the name.

Over all, I had a good day, it was a lot of fun, and I can't wait for the trip. We get taught more when we get to Algonquin. It is going to be AMAZING there.

Also, I am done varnishing my paddle, so I am that much more ready to leave!

My paddle

The caribou represents my childhood. Since I still believe I am a child at heart I feel this is very important to me. I chose the caribou since when I was younger my dad would tell the joke: 

Knock, knock.

Who is there?

Cara.

Cara who?

Not Cara-who! Caribou!

Also, the caribou is a huge part of Canadian culture. it made on the quarter! 

Also, the natives need the caribou to survive. They use all parts of the caribou. The meat, fur and antlers to survive. And I always wish that I am that way to the people in my life.  

I also left the imperfection of the wood, beside the bottom hoof print, since I love the imperfections in life. I think it adds character to the wood.

The footprints represent how I want to leave my footprint on others. I want people too take a piece of me, and I want to take a piece of others personalities, since that's how I believe we grow as people.

The colours represent my cottage. The sunset is the most warm feeling in the world when you see it from Lurgan Beach. These colours occur during the best part of the sunset, when the sun is gone, and all is left are these beautiful colours.

An other important thing about lake Huron, is that a long time ago, (six generations ago) I have a grandfather who was apart of the Huron tribe. I am so proud to be able to say that, even though it is a long time ago.
I also chose warm bright colours because I try to be a warm, happy person with people. 

I left the middle of the paddle bare since I wanted to keep it simple. I have always been a simple person, and I wanted that to show in my paddle. I don't like things that are too complex or that are too in your face. And by leaving the middle untouched I feel I accomplished it. Also, I wanted to keep some of the character of the wood to stay true. I never wear make up, so why should I cover my paddle with paint when I think it looks beautiful without it. 

And, ironically, this paddle was made with pine, which happens to be my favourite tree. Just a happy coincidence.

If you look on the the right side of the paddle, you will see two symbols that look like a backward J and a question mark without the dot on the bottom. That is my name in a native language, (hopefully!) and that is important to me since it is my name.

With the help of my grandma and my mom, I was able to do this wonderful paddle. I couldn't be more proud of it!

Tent Groups

Yesterday was meant to be the day that we found out our tent groups, but it ends up that we found out today. What ever, what can you do? I don't know what to think of my tent. I have a German girl named Ronja, Parker, Robbie, and Steph. A nice sold group of five. But, when I saw Parker's face when he saw our group he couldn't have looked more dissatisfied. He told me it was just because he is scared for all of the portages, how we might be to weak. But I think he just doesn't like our group. I don't know. I think we will have a fun group. Tonight I am painting my paddle at Grandma's, so I might show you pictures later tonight! Bye!

Swim Test

Today during Outdoor Ed we headed over to the Centennial pool for a swim test to find out if we will need our life jacket with us the whole time we are in the water. We get there, get changed and wait for everyone to meet at the pool. While waiting I feel my nose running, so I grab a Kleenex supplied by the office and wipe my nose, and a huge stream of blood is flowing into the tissue. I have to go to the change room and clean myself up. Then I go back down to the pool when I am all fit and ready to hear the instructions.
My teacher called everyone's name and what group they were in, but with us in a indoor pool, it all echoed together to make one constant yell. When everyone dispersed to their spots I asked the teacher to clarify what group I am. He said I was in the last group. So I set up there.
When it was our turn we had to many people in our group. We all fit into the pool, and went off to do a lap in our clothing. (T-shirt, pants and a life jacket). I get to the end of the pool. I asked my teacher if he wanted me in the second group, where i belonged in the first place. He said sure. After I started to talk to Parker about what ever we were talking about at that moment. I looked away, and he quickly said "Cara, look at me." So I did, and he told me I had a bloody nose. I reached up to my nose and saw on my finger that there was blood. I told my teacher and ran right back to the change room to clean up. It took literally ten seconds to clean. And I went back down to the pool. The second group just left to do laps without clothing on when I re-entered the pool, so I went back to the original last group.
When the life guard said we could start our laps, it started out fine, I felt good about what I was doing. But, by the third lap, my arms started to burn. Oh. My. Goodness.  I soon went to the breast stroke, instead of the front crawl.
When we finished my group got out and we watched the first two groups tread water for five minutes. They sang songs, and looked like they were having a good time. When my group went in it was quiet. Little conversations, but no yelling words to the songs like the previous group.
I had to help a girl in my class stay up, since she was a weak swimmer. I treading water for two people. She did that for a minute, and then did the last minute on her own.
When we were done we played a polo like game and then left to go back to G.C.
On the bus ride home Parker convinced Robbie he had a kid, he even got me to believe it, even though I knew it was a lie. It was very funny.
When we got back to the class, I just missed Parenting, and got to go to Outdoor Ed. I felt kind of like I was in a community there. Everyone was playing or helping each other with jobs that had to be done. It felt really nice. I even talked to this boy named Matthias about math. I don't think I ever had a conversation with him about anything.
Over all it was a good day. Tomorrow we are writing two names on a peice of paper saying who we want in our tents. I think I will write Parker, and Ronnia. (Not sure of the spelling, she is an exchange student from Germany, but she seems to be awesome!)

Trust activities

Over the past week my class hasn't done much. On Friday we did trust exercises in order to feel comfortable with each other. We did the trust falls. Then we tried to flip someone upside down then have them land on their feet. Well, that went over like a lead balloon. Our group had our volunteer, Kyle, with his feet above his head and we dropped him. Thank goodness our teacher didn't see, or find out till he reads this post...
Today we got the task of designing a design for a paddle and painting it on. I haven't taken art since grade 8. I can hardly draw a cat without people messing it up for a table. How is he expecting me to make a design with either an aboriginal symbol, involving the environment or having it involve me? I have no idea..... I am thinking of doing a dream catcher, but my teacher thinks I won't be able to do it, I WILL show him.
On the flip side, Parker, a kid in my class says he will be my partner for canoeing, he can portage on his own. He said all I have to do is carry the paddles and any extra equipment! 10 points for me!
I hope you have a lovely day and thank you for reading this! c:

Outdoor Ed: First Day of School

So, today was my first day of Outdoor Ed. in grade 11. I walk to the class room door, and my teacher wasn't there. He was about ten minutes late. Whatever right? But then, he leaves. He opens the door and let's us in, then leaves. Well than. He did come back though about five minutes. He explained the course, like the canoe trip and so forth about gym and the environment.

He then started to talk about a journal, and at first I got really excited, because I feel that journalling is very important to do, just as to remember events, and to reflect. When you write using a piece of paper and pen/ pencil you absorb it more.  But, then he said using the computer, and that bottled my mind. So, that is why I am here. So, hello. My name is Cara and this is my journal for Outdoor Education for Grade 11.