Reflections from Algonquin Breakout Week
Leo Palerma’s thoughts on Algonquin:
The best part about Algonquin was definitely being out in the nature and getting a little refreshing break from all of the technology and rushed life back home. It was nice being able to just move through nature and look at your surroundings without being distracted by anything like a TV or a phone or another device. It was also nice to get away from the rushed school life and experience no assignments or due dates; we could just live our life the way we wanted too out there.
Ben Smylie’s thoughts on lessons learned:
During my Breakout Week experience, I learned many life lessons. I learned, for example, the value of getting the challenging things over with in order to enjoy the fun things. Whenever we arrived at a campsite we had to collect firewood and pitch our tents before we’d explore, eat, and do the more enjoyable things. Had we gone about this in the opposite order, it would have been pretty challenging to get firewood in the dark when we were at the point of exhaustion.
Furthermore, we learned the best way to approach a portage is to get all the heavy items across first, canoes and food barrels in particular, and then move onto the lighter, easier things. Portages are difficult enough, saving the transport of heavy gear to the end would just make things miserable. This lesson applies to real life because if you keep putting off the hard work, having to get it all done at the last minute makes life much harder.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
