Every year HNMCS organises a variety of camps and retreats to encourage cooperation, teamwork, acceptance and positive leadership. This year was no different. Holy Name of Mary College School worked with ALIVE Outdoors to deliver a virtual collaborative and community building program called Connectival. Connectival is an educator led and app-enabled community building quest and collaborative race that engages students in building connections, having fun, and exploring team building processes to create stronger connections with their peers, teachers and the larger school community.

In preparation for Connectival, a group of Grade 11 and 12 students spent two days working with staff from ALIVE Outdoors exploring their leadership styles, the importance of self-care and facing fear in a world of uncertainty. Grade 11’s worked to develop a mantra that will help them feel rooted in who they are and the Grade 12’s focused on learning their strengths and adapting to disorder and learning about the concept of antifragility as they look towards the end of their high school experience. Students wrote and created moving pieces that they shared with their peers

Grade 7-12 students jumped in not knowing what to expect! Each student was placed on a team with approximately 14 of their peers. The goal was for each team to complete as many “missions” (individual and team challenges) as possible. Students participated in this event from their homes, front or backyard, neighbourhood, local green space and other outdoor locations. Completing missions involved submitting photos, short videos, and text responses through the online game app and communicating with their ALIVE Instructor, HNMCS Faculty Member, and group members through Google Chat and Google Meet as the event progressed.

The final debriefs were so meaningful, with students sharing that despite our inability to be away at camp, that the experience felt “like we were transported to the mess hall, sitting on the floor listening to our friends and getting to know new people. It even had me craving oatmeal.” a grade 11 student shared. A grade 10 who has been on many outdoor adventures shared that, this was “One of the best ALIVE experiences, even if it was online!”