The Boussole semester believes in experiential learning. This is often accomplished through field trips and outings that go beyond the school campus, for example:
Winter Trip to Killbear Provincial Park
In late February, we go to Killbear Provincial Park for a week to build community and bond as a group. In Killbear, students learn about park management and the protection of species at risk during a snowshoe hike guided by park staff. Students complete a significant portion of their training on maps and compasses as well as their Certified Hike Leader certification.
Summer Trip to Frontenac Provincial Park
In late May, we go to Frontenac Provincial Park for a week of backcountry camping. This trip acts as the summative evaluation Certified Hike Leader certification. Each student will be responsible for leading part of the hike. We will learn the principles of Leave No Trace Camping while appreciating our natural environment. In the evening, students tell stories around the campfire around a common theme related to the English course.
Documentary Film Workshop at TIFF Bell Lightbox
Entitled “Doc in a Day”, students learn the basic techniques of producing a documentary film by producing their own short documentary film during the workshop. Writing, camera angles, lights, sound … everything is covered by experts at TIFF. Following the workshop, students will create their own documentary films related to their learning in the course – visit the Media page for examples from previous years.
Green Living Show
Students will go to this annual exhibition of environmental businesses and organizations to discover the wide variety of ways that industries target sustainability in their operations as well as the various career opportunities in the sector.
Tarragon Theater – Cottagers and Indians
A play on the subject of an environmental conflict between First Nations and those with cottages in Northern Ontario followed by a theater workshop. Students will realize that environmental challenges do not have simple and obvious solutions.
Visits to Post-secondary Institutions
Students will have the opportunity to visit the environmental studies departments of one or more post-secondary institutions (in the past, we have visited the University of Toronto and York University) to see examples of research being done at the post-secondary level and discover the options for post-secondary programs that are available to students in the field.
and many others! To see what a semester in Boussole feels like, check out the 2018 Video Yearbook on our Media page.