Connect Charter Family Weekly Update

Connect Charter School

Dear Connect Families,

We are excited to share our roster of spring trips with families. Spring trips provide the opportunity to deepen curricular connections, build a sense of belonging and community and allow students to step outside of their comfort zones to promote confidence and independence. 

Our spring camp fee structure has been adjusted to provide predictability and equity across the grades.  The cost model will be to average trip costs across grades 4-8. We continue to experience ongoing increases in costs related to transportation, programming, accommodation, and food. Connect Charter School is balancing these increased costs with providing the quality experiences that our program is known for.  

All spring trips are 3-day/2-night experiences.   All spring trips continue to operate on a fee-recovery basis.  Bursaries and payment plans continue to be available for those who may require assistance.  Please contact Laurie Kangas (email below) related to payment plans or support inquiries).  

This year, the cost for all grade 4-8 spring trips will be $285.00.  

Spring Trip Fees (Outdoor Ed Camp Fees) may be paid through the PowerSchool parent account login: https://connectcharter.powerschool.com/public/home.html

• Grade 7 Outdoor Ed Camp fees are due Jan/Feb, prior to camp dates in February
• Grades 4-8 Outdoor Ed Camp fees are due Feb/Mar
• Grade 9 Outdoor Ed Camp (Deposit- Nov) and Balance due Feb

(Note – for planning ahead: Annual re-Registration forms and fees for 2024-2025 occurs in April)

Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] for payment supports.

Connect Charter School Spring Camps 

4 Pioneer Camp Ranch Rocky Mountain House

May 21 -23, 2024

Personal and group development: Gaining independence, building resiliency, stepping out of comfort zones, exposure to many camp activities (horseback riding, rock climbing, water based activities).

5 Circle Square Ranch Halkirk

June 12 – 14, 2024

Personal and group development: Enhancing skills, judgment and confidence explored in the previous year but in a new setting while maintaining familiarity of activities (outlined above).

6 Cultural Exchange Edmonton Area

May 6 – 8 (6.1/6.2)

May 8 – 10 (6.3/6.4)

*Tentative dates

Learning from others: Deepening understanding and appreciation for Indigenous Ways of Knowing.  Visit to the legislature develops understanding of the provincial government.

7 Winter Camp Ribbon Creek/Nakiska

7.1 (February 12 – 14)

7.2 (February 26 – 28)

7.3 (February 21 – 23)

7.4 (March 4 – 6)

Confidence in Winter Conditions: Developing skills in winter survival, and the understanding of the night sky. Building confidence in downhill skiing/snowboarding at Nakiska.

8 Writing on Stone Milk River

May 27 – 29 (8.1/8.2)

May 29 – 31 (8.3/8.4)

*Tentative dates

Worldview: Expanding worldviews through the exploration of Writing on Stone Provincial Park which is an UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases Blackfoot culture. Visit to Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens. 

What is the grade 9 trip this year?

• West Coast Trip 2024 (June 10 – 14, 2024)

  • Overview: A culminating experience grounded in curricular learning outcomes for students in their final year at Connect Charter School, taking place at two locations.

• Location 1: Camp Jubilee

  • Activities:
    
    • Voyager Canoeing
    • Tidal Pool/Beach Study
    • Eco Hike
    • Sea Kayaking
    • High Ropes
    • Team Building and Resiliency

• Location 2: University of British Columbia (UBC)

  • Activities:
    
    • Stay and explore campus life at UBC
    • Grouse Mountain Adventure
    • MacMillan Space Centre
    • Vancouver Aquarium
    • Beaty Biodiversity Museum
    • GreenHeart Tree Walk

  What is the Connect Charter School rationale for school trips?

  
  

  School trips are a foundational component of our charter.  These experiences support the following elements of student development: 

  
  

  • Experiential Learning: The school believes in the value of hands-on experiences to enhance classroom learning. School trips provide students with authentic encounters, deepening their understanding of academic subjects.

  
  

  • Cultural Enrichment: Trips to museums, historical sites, and cultural centres are integral to learning multiple world-views. These experiences expose students to diverse cultures, histories, and perspectives, fostering a profound appreciation for global citizenship.

  
  

  • Team Building: Recognizing the importance of community and collaboration, school trips serve as opportunities for students to work together outside the classroom. These experiences contribute to the development of strong relationships and teamwork skills.

  
  

  • Outdoor Education: Connect Charter School incorporates outdoor trips to promote environmental awareness, teamwork, and outdoor skills. Activities such as camping, hiking, and participation in environmental projects offer students a holistic educational experience and foster a love of nature.

  
  

  • Skill Development: The school tailors trips to focus on specific skill development aligned with its educational goals. Whether enhancing leadership, communication, problem-solving, or critical thinking skills, these experiences contribute to students’ overall personal and academic growth.

  
  

  • Socialization: School trips provide students with non-school settings for socialization and interaction with their peers. By fostering positive relationships outside the classroom, these experiences contribute to lasting friendships.

  
  

  • Inspiration and Motivation: Connect Charter School recognizes the transformative power of exposure to new and inspiring environments. School trips are curated to ignite students’ curiosity, motivation, and passions, fostering a lifelong love of learning.

  
  
  

  We look forward to this year’s Spring Camps and thank all volunteers, in advance, for their support of these important experiences for all of our students.

  
  

  Connect Charter School