Francophone schools from Eastern B.C enjoyed a few days of creative fun and some quality outdoor time at the end-of-semester Student Jamboree in Fernie.
Students gathered in Mount Fernie Provincial Park and the Elk Valley Nordic Centre from June 11 to 13, to participate in an improv theatre workshop and listen to French music, and partake in outdoor activities like a shelter building contest and geocaching.
Schools in attendance included local Fernie school École Sophie-Morigeau, École Francophone de Kimberley, École La Confluence from Golden, École Des Glaciers from Revelstoke, École de Sentiers-Alpins from Nelson and École des Sept-Sommets from Rossland. 120 youth from kindergarten to grade seven took part in the event.
Fernie teacher M.C Lefebvre said the event gave students the opportunity to celebrate their Francophone heritage and the French language, and to connect with other students of a similar cultural background.
The event was held for the first time last year in Golden, and Lefebvre said the schools plan to make it an annual tradition going forward.
The group took part in a variety of creative activities. A circus performer showed off his juggling, unicycling, and plate spinning skills, and performed poi for the group, and students participated in an improv exercise with costumes.
Fernie Choir director Sonia Roy led a music workshop with the students and Lefebvre was the DJ in the evening. Students listened to French music from around the world, including songs from the Manie Musicale, an annual event run out of the U.S that seeks to promote Francophone language and culture by highlighting popular French music.
The schools took part in a geocaching activity and a contest where they tasked with building an outdoor sleeping shelter with a rope, a tarp, and other supplies gathered in the forest. They also played volleyball and went swimming at the Fernie Aquatic Centre.
Ecole Sophie-Morigeau extends its thanks to Fernie Nordic Society, City of Fernie, Bridge Bistro, Elk Valley Pizza, Smitty's, Stephanie Lemieux, and the group of dedicated parents who lent their time and valued efforts to make the event an outstanding success.