Summer Programs

for students entering grade 9

The summer Big Picture Seminar is designed to help students entering grade 9 develop a clear vision of their future, starting now. Through activities, advice and sound direction, students get to see their high school years as an opportunity to develop the personal qualities that lead to happiness and success in life

Through activities, advice and sound direction, students get to see their high school years as an opportunity to develop the personal qualities that lead to happiness and success in life.

The purpose of the seminar is two-fold: to help young men form high ideals, realistic goals, and practical plans for meeting the challenges awaiting them in the future, and to share practical advice for succeeding academically, choosing career paths and becoming effective leaders in the workplace and in society.

Now is the time to start learning what it takes to build the future, in order to succeed as professionals, family men, and responsible citizens.

Seminar modules:

• Building Personal Strengths: integrity, conscience, concentration, effective use of time, and social graces
  
• Making Career Choices: directing studies and pre-professional activities as well as choosing a professional career
  
• Planning Ahead: thinking about university admission
  
• The Power of Reading: learning why reading is important and what books to read, building habits of a discriminating reader
  
• Expanding the Mind: developing an appreciation for great artistic and intellectual achievements
  
• Defining Personal Values: developing character and maturity, seeing setbacks as opportunities to grow and better discern one’s path in life
  
• Living with Integrity: learning to always act in consonance with one’s principles and faith
  
• Understanding Ethics and Etiquette: introducing notions of business ethics, good manners and business etiquette
  
• Becoming a Role Model: discussing what it takes to be a good father, a good family man

for students entering grade 12

This project is organized in close collaboration with local organizations in Mexico. The participants give time and energy by helping indigenous communities with various infrastructure projects, such as building septic tanks, community halls, and chapels, and by teaching children basic English, Mathematics, and Catechism.

The project takes place at Montefalco in Jonacatepec, in the state of Morelos.

for students entering grade 11 or 12

Participants work with staff and volunteers of the Ruby Lake Lagoon society to enhance and preserve the natural habitat and wildlife of the Sunshine Coast region

The work involves removal of invasive species on land and water, trail clearing and maintenance, setting up composter bin units, installing habitats for birds and other wildlife on the coast, and much more.

The project also includes excursions to the coastal lakes and islands, as well as daily sessions on ecological stewardship and responsibility.

for students entering grade 10

Participants to this service project will have a chance to experience a variety of service activities towards those in need

The projects involve: help with household and maintenance work at homes for people with intellectual disabilities, the elderly, soup kitchens for the homeless, and clothing and food banks for the underprivileged.

Students of both English and French speaking backgrounds are invited to participate, as the activities will be run in a bilingual setting. The project will also include visits to cultural and historical sites in Quebec City.

for students entering grade 10 or 11

Techniques and Technology Seminar

A five-day program designed to teach students entering Grades 10-12 in the Fall proven study techniques and in-demand programming skills. The program includes outdoor activities such as sports and excursions to nearby places of interest. Expect also, career planning (guest speakers will tell us about their careers and answer your questions).

for students entering grade 11 or 12

Participants in this  project will volunteer with a local Catholic parish

The project involves helping out at the Catholic parish in Berens River, Manitoba, located on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. Participants will help with repairs and construction work around the parish buildings, as well as tutoring local children in English, mathematics, and catechism.

for students entering grade 8 or 9

Effective communication includes story-telling, which nowadays is widely done through video. Learn practical leadership skills, how to deliver a message through video, and wise consumption and production of media.

Participants must be interviewed prior to the seminar.

Day 1 Introduction to Professional film editing (9am to 3pm)
– Introduction to the fundamental principles of ‘continuity’ in film editing: Introduction to professional film editing software, Maintaining consistency of both time and space in the film, Grounding audiences in the ‘reality’ of the film while establishing a clear and structured narrative, Organizing the different components of a film scene to tell a cohesive story, How to use the eye line and eye tracing in editing, How to use matching action in editing, The Rule of Six of Editing.
– Introduction to SFX sound and foley. Film editing workshop. Students will work with professional film footage and foley to edit a single scene for a film. Introduction to film storytelling

Day 2 and 3 Film Shoot (12pm to 6pm, starts and ends later to include optimal filming hours of 3 to 5pm)
– Introduction to: Handheld camera techniques, Basic shot sizes and their use, Shot types, Framing, The 4-second shot rule, The three invisible externally and internally generated moving shoots, How to shoot a moving master shot, How to ‘block’ a scene – space – shapes – lines – subtext/contrast
– Film workshop: Students will block and shoot a short film scene.

Day 4 (9am to 6pm includes rafting the Bow in the afternoon) and 5 (9am to 7pm includes evening BBQ with families) – Post Production
– Students will edit, export, and show their films

Seminar requirements
A video camera or cell phone  that can shoot video clips Students must be able to transfer video clips from their cell phones to a laptop computer. Students will be asked to download and install the editing software DaVinci Resolve 18, which is free for download.