The spirited animals differ greatly from the household pets some students were expect- ing. âThey could be a little cr
Dogsledding Adventure BEARING the ELEMENTS By Wayne Larsen, Writer
The Duke of Edinburgh program is designed to push young people beyond their comfort zones, and what could be less comfortable than surviving four days and three nights in the wilderness during a Canadian winter?
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group of LCC students and two staff members found out last February during the school’s annual dogsledding expedition in Algonquin Park — a challenging experience that teaches students basic survival skills and important lessons about themselves. “If you had asked me if I could survive a trip like this before I started Duke of Ed, I’d have said no way,” admits Adam Vandenbussche ’17 (Pre-U ’18). “I learned that I had it in me to pull off a journey like this.”
The annual expedition is a perfect way for LCC students to fulfill the Duke of Edinburgh Program’s Young Leadership Gold Award, which requires them to complete an adventurous journey. It also fits well with the Adventure aspect of Round Square’s IDEALS (Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, Service). Preparation is everything. In order to get a taste of what awaited them in Algonquin Park, students spent two days at Camp Tamaracouta in the Laurentians. Part of that trip required them to build quinzhees — hollowed-out mounds of snow resembling igloos — in which they spent the night. “That was pretty cool,” Adam recalls. “A bit claustrophobic at first, but you eventually cozy up to it.”
“YOU REALIZE YOU DON’T NEED TO BE INSIDE ALL DAY; YOU DON’T NEED A CELL PHONE. IT WAS RELAXING.”
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“I LEARNED THAT I HAD IT IN ME TO PULL OFF A JOURNEY LIKE THIS.”
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LION FALL 2017
“The key to being successful is to make sure you have the right equipment,” says LCC’s Deputy Head Mark Salkeld, who accompanies the students every year. “We do a practice journey two weeks in advance because anyone can survive a night, but if you find out your boots are not warm enough it gives you an opportunity to get the right ones.” Once in Algonquin Park, students broke into dogsledding pairs and spent their days sledding as a group through the forest behind their dog teams. But each night they had to complete about two hours of essential chores before resting in their tents. “The whole point is to take control and perform certain tasks,” Erika Kaperonis ’17 (Pre-U ’18) says, emphasizing the leadership aspect. “I really loved the whole experience, but it was a lot of hard work. Even though we were accompanied by professional guides, we all had to step up for unpleasant tasks like collecting water, cutting firewood, and cleaning up after the dogs.
“We took care of the dogs a lot,” Erika adds. The spirited animals differ greatly from the household pets some students were expecting. “They could be a little crazy at times, especially in the morning when they’d just woken up. Sled dogs are more aggressive — much more powerful and run much faster. They’re also not groomed because they have to keep their fur for warmth.” It was also a chance to unplug from technology: the students lived without cell phones or watches for four days. “We were completely off the grid and I found that quite liberating,” says Adam. Erika agrees. “You realize you don’t need to be inside all day; you don’t need a cell phone. It was relaxing.” “It’s all about being self-sufficient,” says Mr. Salkeld. “You’re looking after yourself and you have to make the most of the environment. You are completely immersed in this experience; that’s part of what Duke of Ed is about. And not only do students realize they can do it, but they enjoy doing it. They feel a real sense of fulfillment.”
