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Grade 7 and 8 students at Camp Arnes on the frozen shores of Lake Winnipeg. Notice how low the sun is on the horizon at this time of the year.

 

On Monday, January 15, 2018, the grade 7 and 8 students of IHMS boarded a chartered bus for the 110 km. ride to Camp Arnes. They stayed for three days and two nights, returning on Wednesday, January 17.

 

Monday, January 15, 2018: Boarding the chartered bus for Camp Arnes
Students and staff began boarding the bus destined for Camp Arnes at approximately 8:15 a.m., half an hour behind schedule. The weather may have been a reason for the delay – the temperature (with windchill) on Monday, January 15 was -40 degrees Celsius.

To view a few photos of the campers waiting for their chartered bus to arrive, click here.

 

sign10 The students were accompanied by:

  • Mr. Burg (the grade 8 homeroom teacher)
  • Mrs. Naurocki (the grade 7 homeroom teacher)
  • Mr. Trochanowski (the school’s vice-principal)
  • Mrs. Tycholis (the school’s guidance councellor)
The teacher supervisors who went to camp (l-r): Mr. Trochamowski. Mrs. Tycholis, Mrs. Naurocki, and Mr. Burg

 

IHMS sends two classes to camp every year. On odd numbered years, the grade 5 & 6 students attend “summer camp” in May while on even numbered years, the grade 7 & 8 students attend “winter camp” in January. In this way, students who remain at IHMS from grade 5 to 8 attend camp twice – once in summer and once in winter.

Click the map to the left for a larger image

Click here to view the Camp Arnes website

 

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Last year’s grade 6 students who went to summer camp are now in grade 7 and off to this year’s winter camp. Last years’s grade 5 students who went to summer camp will have to wait until 2020 (when they are in grade 8) to attend winter camp.

 

Two grade 8 girls posing for a photo in the campground

 

 

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As stated in their website, Camp Arnes “is dedicated to challenging children and adults with exemplary Christian living, spiritual nurture, character and leadership development in a wilderness environment.  In accordance with the traditions of the Society, the Mission of Camp Arnes is to:

  • Provide campers and staff with an exceptional atmosphere for inviting them to experience Christ as Lord and Savior (John 3:16 & 17).
  • Develop Christian character and leadership qualities through role modeling and formal teaching.
  • Provide an outstanding setting and opportunity for recreation and relaxation.
  • Foster a sensitive attitude to nature and the management of our environment (Psalm 8, 19).
  • Offer a camping experience to people of diverse cultural, ethnic and church heritages while recognizing our responsibility to the Mennonite Brethren community of Manitoba, who provide much of our continuing support.”

 

 

Upon arriving at Camp Arnes after an hour and fifteen minute bus ride, the students were greeted by councillors who got them settled into their chalets. Everyone was accommodated in two large chalets – “Tamarack” for the grade 7 and 8 boys and “Silver Birch” for the grade 7 and 8 girls. Each building contained a bathroom, a shower, a set of bunk beds for sleeping, and a separate room for the teacher supervisor. There were two teacher supervisors for each chale: Mr. Burg stayed with the grade 8 boys, Mr. Trochanowski with the grade 7 boys, Mrs. Tycholis with the grade 8 girls, and Mrs. Naurocki with the grade 7 girls.

 

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The Tamarack chalet – the grade 7 boys and Mr. trochanowski slept on one side and the grade 8 boys and Mr. Burg slept on the other side. The girls slept in a similar chalet called Silver Birch.

 

After everyone settled in, the councillors took the students on a quick tour of the area. Some of the more important buildings included the Dining Hall, the Swimming Pool, and the Wigwam.

 

A few photos of the interior of the Silver Birch chalet

 

Since the outdoor activities either began or ended at most of these places, it was important for everyone to know all the important buildings at Camp Arnes. Luckily, the Dining Hall was the building closest to the chalets where the students were staying.

 

A grade 8 student enjoying a sandwich in the Dining Hall

 

Everyone at camp participated in a series of scheduled outdoor activities such as:
 

  • Quinzee Building
  • Fire and Bannock
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Snowshoeing
  • Compass Orienteering
  • Instincts for Survival

 

 

 

  

 

Grade 7 boys posing for a photo outside their chalet

 

Students played the above activities as part of a predetermined group. There were 3 different groups (“A”, “B”, and “C”), each containing 15 or 16 students with a random mixture of boys and girls from grade 7 and 8. Mrs. Naurocki was in charge of Group A, Mr. Burg was in charge  of Group B, and Mr. Trochanowski was in charge of Group C. Mrs. Tycholis provided assistance where she was needed the most. Since all outdoor activities were taught by Camp Arnes councillors, the teacher simply supervised their group or helped out when needed.

 

Grade 7 girls relaxing outside between the planned activities

 

In addition to the above outdoor learning activities, students also went on a hay ride, had a marshmallow roast, played broom ball and snow soccer, participated in an Extravaganza (where they played small group games), and went swimming in the pool.

 

 Students relaxing on the desolate landscape of Lake Winnipeg after the day’s activities

 

At night, everyone had to be in bed by 10:30 p.m. (ground silence), although students in some chalets stayed up later. Breakfast, which was served at 8:30 a.m., consisted of eggs, toast, pancakes, cereal, oatmeal, orange juice, and milk. Lunch was served at 12:15 p.m., and supper at 5:15 p.m. In addition, a small snack of cookies, oranges, apples, chocolate cake, ice cream, and juice was served at 10:00 p.m., just prior to bed time. Students were free to eat as much as they wanted, and everyone agreed that the food was generally very good!

 

Students relaxing and playing games in the evening

 

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…… Click here for Additional Winter Camp Photos ……

 

On the morning of the last day (Wednesday), the students ate breakfast before participating in their last scheduled activity at Camp Arnes. After completing the activity, they returned to their chalets to clean up and pack their bags to leave. Everyone ate a delicious taco salad lunch, and at 1:30 p.m. boarded a chartered bus for the long trip back to Winnipeg. They arrived at IHMS at around 3:00 p.m. with memories to last a lifetime!

 

Students had a wonderful time experiencing the beauty of nature at Camp Arnes

 

 

 

 

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