I can’t believe we’ve already been here a week at Shad Valley Queen’s! I quickly lost track of time as we’ve done so much! We got a bit of time to relax this morning and I woke up to the sounds of cows mooing, birds chirping, a wind turbine (NOT windmill we learnt) blowing and our tents rustling. Not necessarily the typical sounds we’ve heard at Queen’s.

Last night we pitched our tents in a field in Wolfe Island to prepare for a night’s camping trip. It was a little more luxurious than the Duke of Edinburgh camping I was expecting and I was pleasantly surprised to return from the campfire to temperatures above zero. After a rushed attempt to take down our tent, which had to be repeated properly a second time, we raced to breakfast. Being the last ones awake this was a rushed process as we didn’t want to miss anything.

We started the morning with more leadership activities, including catching each other, providing a path for each other across sticks and creating a seat for those behind you (left) and we successfully completed the tasks given to us by our fabulous guide Walter!

After rec time and lunch we set off on a hayride around the island and stopped to see its wind turbines. They are huge!! Then we got back on the ferry to return to our home for the rest of the month.

We finally had some time to relax. Most of us enjoyed a much needed shower, and took the opportunity to catch up with the world at home. After supper we worked on our house projects and then had our first house social - Casino Night, including a huge game of Uno, poker and, to begin with, a little awkward dancing but finished with everyone singing and dancing to the YMCA.

Then we went upstairs for a game of our own creation of Pictionary meets charades before saying goodnight to the boys as they left for their own floor. Another exciting day at Shad Valley has ended but I know there’s tons more to come! Must go to bed as I’m keeping my fabulous French roommate awake.

Bonne nuit!

Philippa Gosine
Shad Valley Queen's
Hometown: St. John's, Newfoundland