Appleby College - Argus Yearbook (Oakville, Ontario Canada)

Page 120 text:

E. R. II The role of the instructor in the Northward Bound programme is very frequently neglected; few people realize how important the instructor really is to the smooth operation of the course. In camp, it is the instructor ' s job to see that nothing goes wrong. He must see that the meals are prepared, that they get to bed each night safely after a hard day ' s work, and that they get up each morning and run. Out of camp, on a trip, all you have, is the in- structor, his patrol, and the wilderness. The in- structor is completely responsible for the safety and well-being of six or seven young men; their lives are in his hands. But in addition to this, the instructor must teach the members of his patrol the basics of wilderness survival, canoeing, water safety, wilderness navigation and elementary first aid. Therefore, the instructors that are to face such immense responsibility must be carefully selected and trained to meet the vigorous requirements of a northern leader. This is what E.R. II is all about. After the boys in grade ten complete their course, some of them volunteer to go on with the E.R., and from this group, fourteen to sixteen boys are chosen to take E.R. II with the probabihty that some of them will be in- structors in the north. While Mr. O ' Leary preaches the basic elements of ecology. Knobby and Mr. Stuart instruct us in the fundamentals of survival, decision-making, and first -vyA.

Page 119 text:

Northward Bound was designed to teach students about survival in the wilderness, and, from their experiences, to gain respect for nature. In addition, an understanding of the untamed wilderness and its ways will help a boy to understand Canada ' s heritage of hardy voyageurs and pioneers who formed the backbone of our nation. The fall session, the introductory one, is designed gently to break in the students to the harsh realities of the north and to prepare them for bigger things. The weather was mild and pleasant. This fact surprises the new recruit, who has mentally prepared himself for timdra temperatures. As time goes on, the younger camper finds camping to be exhilarating and the mellow temperatures just right. The canoeing is quiet and relaxing, with the added bonus of allowing the canoeist time to drink in the beauty that surrounds him. On the other hand, the winter term proved to be the true test of endurance and patience. The weather was summoned by Cassandra, harsh and morbid, depressingly regular. The constant battle between the sun and the clouds casts the surroundings in sombre shades. The landscape is caught in vdnter ' s icy clutches, restricting any small movements of trees, birds, waves or insects which seem ever- present in the fall. Snowshoeing is not pleasant or relaxing, exciting or stimulating; it is monotonous - and tiring. The poorly lit black and white landscape never varies and the constant plod, plod, plod of the snowshoes is as numbing to the brain as the Chinese water torture. The winter term was a challenge, and most challenges are good; but the fall was more pleasant and much more pleasurable, and therefore the better of the two in my eyes. Andrew Krempulec

Page 121 text:

aid. The course includes one week of practical work at the northern campus. Without a doubt, the instructors that are chosen from the E.R.II course will always be competent and rehable in their duties at the northern campus. Rob Cartotto and Dave Green I i«2v«n iii|i