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Martin Rempel and Brian Mullally
Have you ever had a conversation with a 15-year-old about black holes and realized that he probably knows as much about them as does Stephen Hawking, the brilliant English theoretical physicist? Have you ever gone to an art gallery and listened to a 16-year-old critique a Pablo Picasso painting saying that it lacked passion and depth? Have you ever attended a teen talent show and witnessed jugglers, Spice Girls impersonators and humorous skits that portrayed the provinces and territories in a positive light?
As educators from Alberta, we had the unique opportunity to participate as program monitors with Encounters with Canada, an educational program created in 1982 to help promote Canadian unity. This exceptional program consists of week-long seminars offered to students between the ages of 15 and 17 years old. The seminars run from September to May each year at the Terry Fox Youth Centre in Ottawa. Sessions focus on Canadian political institutions like parliament and on sub-themes covering the arts, culture, sports and fitness.
Program monitors are lent to Encounters with Canada from their respective school jurisdictions for a two-week period. Monitors act as chaperones, counselors, friends, surrogate parents and hosts to a group of dynamic and talented students from all regions of Canada. In addition, each monitor takes a turn as head monitor. In this role we were responsible for coordinating that particular day's events and ensuring that the program ran smoothly.
Being a program monitor is the ultimate teaching experience. Students are motivated and keen to participate. In addition, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with each other and their adult supervisors.
The days can be long, starting with a 7 a.m. wake up call consisting of old Beatles' tunes piped over the intercom system. An additional incentive to wake up early is the competition for hot showers. Monitors enjoy the perk of going to the front of the breakfast line in order to be at the daily planning meeting that starts promptly at 8:15 a.m. The day continues according to a tight and well-orchestrated schedule that relates to the week's theme. Students dash off to theaters, Parliament Hill, the Museum of Civilization or interact with poets, musicians, astronauts and authors. The program is rich and varied.
Each day ends with free time—students snack on late night treats, socialize, swap stories and souvenir pins.
Each session concludes with a Friday night dance which is the last chance for participants to say farewell to the new friends made during an intense week of activities.
After checking out Notre Dame Church in Ottawa, students with Encounters with Canada take time out for a photograph
After a two-week stay at Encounters with Canada, we left with the feeling of having participated in something extraordinary. Students and monitors improved their French, learned much about their country, themselves and each other. As one participant from British Columbia noted, "Never had one week made such an impact on my life!"
Perhaps the best part of the experience was the opportunity to interact with such intelligent, outgoing, young people and watch them grow and mature in such a short period of time. They continuously amazed us with their insights and knowledge about Canada and what they would do to keep the country united. For it is these students who in sharing their stories and experiences showed us that in all our differences we really are all the same.
Teachers interested in participating in the program or having their students participate should contact Mr. Denis Labossiere, program director, Encounters with Canada, 1805 Gaspe Avenue, PO Box 7279, Ottawa ON K1L 8E3. Telephone: 1-800-361-0419; fax: (613) 744-6204.
Martin Rempel and Brian Mullally teach in Fort McMurray.
Photo courtesy of Martin Rempel and Brian Mullally
