Grade 6 Adventures to Bark Lake
It all started early in the morning on September 27th. We were all still new to Grade 6 and just getting used to the routine. To improve our leadership skills and to get a jump start on the year, we set off for Bark Lake!
As soon as we got there we were greeted by two amazing facilitators who led us to our beautiful rooms to drop off our bags. Right after we were led to our rooms we had to jump into action right away. First, we were given a tour around the campus which is approximately 500 acres of wilderness and 2000 acres of land, forest, and marshes. We got split up into our groups which were leadership groups.“As a side note” when I was writing this I learnt that Bark Lake had their 70-year Anniversary, what a way to prepare with a visit from CDS!
Anyway back to the adventure, we kicked off with a sweet and short activity of what we thought a perfect leader should be like. We had some pretty good ideas and showcased to everyone! Now after a few “getting to know you” games we were getting hungry, especially after all it was a two-hour bus ride!
After a burrito lunch, we played some challenging and inspiring games that would change us and develop us into better leaders. We did trust falls to regain our trust in others and make strong relationships with friends. We played some more cool games and soon became hungry again. While we waited for dinner, we played around with the Basketball and huge game of Ga-ga ball until dinner was ready.
We had some delicious fish and chips that made our mouths water, but believe it or not, the main event was to come! We split up into groups and played teamwork games that if we cooperated and did the task together as leaders, we would earn points to build some protection for an egg we were given to survive the PIT OF DOOM. A pit that could destroy any egg that came its way, but it was our goal to create a structure that would define the odds and survive. We worked hard as a team, but only a select few survived.
Now, it was almost pitch black at 8:00 p.m. We had a chat about bedtime and rushed back to the nice rooms where we would meet our roommates. We made our beds, changed into our PJ’s and chilled by playing board games and chit-chatting with our friends. After that it was time for lights out. We were tired and ready for tomorrow.
The next morning, we woke to a knock at our door and got ready to pack up and head outside and eat breakfast. Wait… WE’RE NOT DONE. We had some compass work and learning how to build fires. But… even after all that fun, it was finally time to go back on the bus and head home. Once we were back we came out with a different piece of clothing in our hands, it was our green leadership shirts showing everyone that we had passed the Bark Lake Leadership task! We were now approved leaders.
When we got on that bus, we had no idea how we were going to change. Some of us thought we were not going to change at all, but oh boy were they wrong! We came off that bus completely different people with much more confidence ... we were now leaders.
Thank you Bark Lake for teaching us to be the good leaders. But, we're still not done ... we must always keep learning.
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.
