A petite teen looks back at her experience skiing to Elizabeth Parker Hut with a 30-pound pack on her back in subzero temperatures as one of the most rewarding of her life.
Jocelyn Holladay was among 10 Oilfields High School Quest students to ski the 12.5 long kilometre winter trail to Lake O-Hara just west of Lake Louise earlier this month in one of Quest’s five multi-day adventures.
“It was quite challenging,” said Holladay. “For me, someone who is really tiny, having to carry all of that stuff up to the cabin was very difficult, but I was able to do it. In the end it was a great feeling of accomplishment.”
Upon arriving at the cabin, Holladay and her peers got to work preparing meals, chopping firewood, collecting snow to boil for water and cleaning up.
The teens also explored the area, played card games and built snow quinzees.
The school’s Quest program provides cross-curricular studies through outdoor and environmental education, combining traditional classroom instruction with experiential learning where students explore and discover nature.
On March 30, Friends of Quest is hosting its 12th annual dinner and auction at Turner Valley’s Flare ‘n’ Derrick Community Hall.
The adult-only fundraiser features a cash bar, live and silent auctions with items created by students or offerings of yard and farm work, a catered supper and live music by Calgary bluegrass/folk band The Flat Top Flyers.
Quest teacher Karen Larter said the $10,000 to $20,000 raised each year covers the cost of the program’s year-end sea kayaking trip in Vancouver and helps to get the program started the following school year.
“If it weren’t for this event we probably wouldn’t be able to operate this program in the way that we do,” she said. “Our multi-day trips and activities cost a fair bit of money.”
Larter said that while the annual enrollment fee is around $600, the actual cost is about $15,000 per student. The program receives some financial assistance from grants.
Larter sees first-hand the effects Quest has on students. With small class sizes, Larter said they work closely with teachers, who quickly learn the needs of each student.
“We’ve got several students who began Grade 10 feeling like they were not really capable learners and now realizing that they actually can do math and a couple of them even enjoy it,” she said. “Building their confidence in their academic abilities has been huge and building their confidence in their ability to persevere through challenges.”
Students also experience social, emotional and mental benefits that come with being in th–e wilderness regularly, Larter said.
“Being able to connect in nature to themselves and each other has lots of positive effects,” she said.
Students develop skills that can be applied to job and career opportunities including problem solving, teamwork and communication, said Larter.
“The Lake O’Hara Trip is difficult,” she said.
“They often surprise themselves with how well they do.”
Holladay joined Quest due to her love of the outdoors, and soon saw the benefits of the program.
“My grades have shot up and my leaderships skills have been able to grow,” she said. “I loved getting to know all the other kids on a personal level.”
Holladay’s favourite trip was to Waterton Lakes National Park in September where she hiked several trails and helped to plant native grass and pull weeds near the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel as part of an eco restoration and environmental stewardship volunteer program with Parks Canada.
“It was an awesome experience,” said Holladay. “When I go back there with my family one day I can always think back and say, ‘I planted all those grasses and plants out here and helped restore it.’”
Tickets to attend the fundraiser can be purchased at the Oilfields High School office during school hours.
