RC Palmer – Pre-AP/Incentive Program

The Incentive Grade 8 – 10 classes have just returned from three days at our annual Fall retreat, held at the Easter Seal camp on the shores of the Squamish River in Brackendale, BC. There was glorious sunshine and perfect weather – and even a visit by a mother black bear and her two cubs. The students went through a series of activities designed to promote team-building and the formation of connections between students in different grades in the Incentive Program.

Aided by ten hand-picked Incentive Grade 11 and 12 mentors, Palmer Incentive teachers ran carefully planned activities that centred around this year’s theme of “Perspectives”. Activities included team-building games, a simulation Food Chain game, a critical-thinking treasure hunt, a t-shirt art activity, a board games tournament, a chant-writing and performing session, a creative-thinking Destination Imagination Instant Challenge, and of course the traditional campfire sing-alongs.

Students were put into multigrade teams of 10-11 students, and engaged in friendly team and house competitions in the different activities over three busy days. At the end of a close competition, it was Team 1 (led by Grade 11 mentor Amanda W.) who won the Top Team medals, while Chilcotin (comprised of Teams 4, 5 and 6) won the Grafton Cup as the Top House.

Kudos and thanks to the following mentors for their excellent work at camp: Alvin M., Amanda W., Annie H., Bill C., Bonnie Z., Daniel C., Danlu L., Inayah M., Jack Z., and Jocelyn T.. Kudos as well to the teachers who were involved in the planning and/or who travelled to camp: Ms. Calaciura, Mr. Chow, Mrs. Coyle, Ms. Naidu, Mr. Sidhu and Mr. Wong, as well as Vice-Principal Ms. Timmins. Everyone is already eagerly looking forward to next year’s Camp Squamish!