A friend of mine used to live in a lake filled with ducks but he moved out when he got fed up with all the bills.

We went to Loon Lake last year as a PLP 9 group and it was pretty fun, but this year (to say the least) was much different. 

A little while before we went to loon lake this year we were introduced to some future field studies we would be going on. Those being Loon lake and California. But soon before leaving for LL we were told the news that California wouldn’t be happening. After being told the news my mind shifted. It shifted to not thinking Loon Lake would be that good, to thinking it better be the best field trip possible. It somehow managed to live up to my unrealistic expectations.

Details about the trip:

5 days and 4 nights long

3 meals a day 4 and 6 hours apart (only bad part about the trip)

Cabins hold 6 people

Cabin mates: Max R, Max L, Mateo, Sepaus and Declan

Day one may have been the least memorable one of each. We started the day at the school waiting for the bus to arrive. Once it did we were on our way to Loon Lake Maple Ridge. I really liked that bus ride because I got to watch “Frasier” while laying down on the seat. We then arrived and got right into a “get to know you” kind of game with Jono and a girl who’s name escapes me at the moment.

 Then we had lunch which is always good there. Then we had our first of many workshops. Oh and we got told the real “mission” of us being there was to deepen our personal relationships with ourselves and others, and strengthen our leadership skills. 

We did that for a while then got told where we would be sleeping during the trip. I was pleasantly surprised by who my bunk mates were because I didn’t like mine from the year prior. But this time around I was put with some of my best friends, which instantly made the trip better. 

Then we had dinner, another workshop, some free time then went to sleep.

On Day 2 me and Max R started off the day at 6:50 to go to the gym and play some basketball (we had to do it that early because breakfast was at 7:30). Then the usual stuff, breakfast, some workshops, some team building. Then we were instructed to draw a poster that represents “you”, then when finished write down some things down on another persons poster. The things you had to write had to be things that you notice about the person, good things. Then we did some out door activities and some in the gym. Then of course dinner, free time, then we went to sleep.

This is the day that changed everything. It started off the same as every other day really. Basketball in the morning, breakfast, workshops, lunch. Then we mixed it up by doing some rock climbing and high ropes. Then another workshop, and dinner. Then we went back to our usual meeting spot to have another workshop. This is when it all went sideways. We started playing a game where we had two different “zones”. Jono had a list of things that he would say and if it is something that corresponds with you, you go to the other zone (everyone starts in the same zone). The questions started off pretty normal. Things like “do you play an instrument” or “do you have any siblings”. Then it picked up to things like “have you had a family member die from cancer” or “do you have any relatives that are alcoholics”. This made a lot of people very emotional. Then we made a big circle and talked about what we thought of the exercise, and to everyone’s surprise, people started talking, and talking, and talking. I learned so many things about so many people that night. Almost everyone got emotional and started crying. Even some guys (like yours truly). That night I opened up to people that I never thought I would to. That night changed my life for the better.

On this day everything cooled off. Jono and his helpers left and it was just us and our teachers.  We did some fun things as a groups like walking around the whole lake, and watching “Apollo 13” before bed. But we also got much more free time to do things like play basketball, and homework for other classes. The meals that day were amazing as well. 

On this day nothing really happened because we left just after breakfast. The bus ride was fun though because I watched some episodes of Frasier again👍.

Wrap up:

This trip was the most amazing school experience that I’ve ever had. I broke even further out of my shell, I built deeper bonds with my friends and classmates. I became more of a leader. I came out of Loon Lake as a better person and Pinnacle Pursuits is to thank. Thank you Mr Hughes for organizing it, and thanks for “strongly suggesting” people go on the trip.