Events

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On the fifth day of the Youth exchange, we started the day at Casa Loma. Before the arrival at Casa Loma we separated into two groups- one group took the scenic route and walked, while the other group took the TTC. We had a self guided visit, meaning we could explore the different rooms and buildings on our own. It was fun going through the long dark tunnels and climbing up the towers to get a good view of the city. We had a nice lunch on the terrace of Casa Loma with the most beautiful weather of the week!

After lunch, we all took the subway down to Ripley’s Aquarium. The aquarium, being a large attraction, is something that our visitors may not have experienced before. Once we got there, we split off into smaller groups so that we can all do what we wanted to do within the time we had. We spent an hour or two there to see everything the aquarium has to offer. Once we all met up afterwards, we walked down to the CN tower. Visiting the CN tower is also a Toronto exclusive experience and something that you must do while here. As we make our way up the tower, we all experience the view of downtown but it couldn’t beat the view we would all get at the top. Once we get there, we are greeted by this amazing view of Lake Ontario. One of the first thing we do is point out where our school is as well as some of the places we had visited already during their time here. This was not only a great experience for them but for us too.

At the end of the day, we went to VRPlayin to have dinner and play VR games. It was really fun due to the way VRPlayin is set up. We split into smaller groups so it allowed people who never used VR to have a better experience learning how to play it. For those who have played VR the smaller groups gave them a chance to play more complicated games allowing them to have a good time at their experience level. It was 2 to 3 people per booth and the thing about the booths is that they are using the full HTC vive (which is a virtual reality headset with body tracking). This is the most advanced VR system that is possible at the moment. All the booths could connect which enabled us to play a bunch of games together. It was a lot of fun to play a bunch of games with your friends which you couldn’t play anywhere else. Near the end of the night we put the hockey game up on one of the spare TVs and people started watching that as well. We were also able to donate leftover food to The Scott Mission, for which they were very grateful. All in all, it was a very good end to a good day.

By James, Peter and Shay

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Our Tuesday started off with a walking tour through downtown Toronto lead by one of our Academy teachers, Todd. During the tour we got to learn about some of Toronto’s neighbourhoods and Infrastructure. The tour took us from the Annex neighbourhood where they were staying through U of T and finished in Kensington Market. In Kensington market we were free to explore the area and get lunch. In groups we went off and explored all of the interesting places in the market.

After the market we made our way back to the Academy. We did team building challenges with the whole school and we went into a big circle and played games like the West Wind Blows and Mingle Mingle Mingle. Then we went into separate groups and played a game to catch the ball in the same order over and over, saying everyone’s name. Finally, we were given resources to build the tallest tower and there was a tie between two groups.

After the challenges we had dinner together at the school and then there were options for after dinner. A group of us went down to watch the Raptors game playing at Jurassic Park, I enjoyed going to the Raptors game it was fun. It was a good experience to watch the game outside and see myself on the tv. I hope to go to the game some other time again. It was fun and the Raptors won that day.

By Jonah, Ben and Sebastian

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On Monday April 15th we went to the Toronto Island. To get there we took the ferry across Lake Ontario. Once we got there we did games and a cleanup of the Island and YMCA day camp areas to prepare for the summer. We had a bbq hot dog lunch bonfire. After that we had marshmallows before Rein put a cut down spruce tree into the fire.

We went back to the YMCA for dinner hosted by Ben’s family, Cole’s family and Bailey’s. The dish was Portuguese churrasco chicken and chocolate brownies and after the meal, Ben entertained us with his steel drum. Some of us got up and did a conga line.

After the performance, many students went to shop at the Eaton Center but some including me stayed at the school and watched the Maple Leafs game. The Leafs won and it was fun to hang out and spend time with our friends. After the game we went home.

By Cole and Gavin

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On a very rainy Sunday morning we met the exchange group at their hotel and went to Spadina station to do some icebreaker games. Then we went on a scavenger hunt on the TTC. We had to find things about the TTC with the kids from New Brunswick. We started at Spadina station then we had to go to the different subway stations. Some of the subway stations were on line 1 and some were on line 2. We had to end at a food court in the underground path where we had to wait for the last teams to arrive. Rein’s team was victorious and received Spadina station buttons as a prize.

After lunch we walked to the Rogers centre to see a Blue Jays Game. Many of our visitors were excited for the game, including some who had never who had never been to a baseball game before. We all sat together in the 200 level outfield section. Some people bought Blue Jays clothing and lots of snacks for the game. It wasn’t always an exciting game, but it was fun to hang out with everybody.

After the game we came back to the school and a delicious meal prepared by parents was waiting for us. We ate in different classrooms and got to know each other better. After dinner some students chose to play basketball in the gym and others stayed at the school and hung out. This was the first full day of the exchange week and despite the weather it was a lot of fun!

By Bailey and Alex

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On our first day of the YMCA Youth Exchange a small group of our students went to go and greet the exchange students from New Brunswick who had just landed after their flight. We guided them on the TTC from their hotel to one of our exchange student’s neighbourhood where we had a feast at the local community center. Each student’s family had to contribute at least one dish to the feast, and those dishes ranged from pasta salad all the way to mini pulled pork sandwiches.

Before the feast started we introduced our new guests to a brief history of Toronto, which included the Indigenous history, and what the city was used for in the past. We then introduced them with a traditional Indigenous song and drumming. We then had Pauline Shirt, a Native elder who lives in Toronto, welcome all of the guests.

After that was finished we all ate the food brought by the parents, and then socialized with each other to get to know each other. Some teachers led the group back to the hotel and we said goodbye, before we met the next day.

By Phoenix