INUVIK
Eight students from East Three Secondary School have come home with a better understanding of Canada.

Alex Skinner, left, Cody Greenland, Underwood Day, Paul O'Connor, Adrienne Greenland-Jerome, Darcy Setzer, Kolbi Bernhardt and Chrissy Hvatum make the trek to Ottawa earlier this month to participate in Encounters With Canada, along with 140 students from across the country. - photo courtesy of Colin Pybus

The group travelled to the nation's capital earlier this month for one week of an ongoing program called Encounters with Canada that brings together students from all corners of the country to share experiences and learn to be better leaders.

Teacher Colin Pybus took the students for the week, which was devoted to sport and fitness.

"It was a great experience," said Adrienne Greenland-Jerome, adding that the trip was both a fun time and a good learning experience. "The best part was meeting all the people there."

Fellow student Cody Greenland said the highlight for him had been going to an Ottawa Senators game, but that meeting new friends ranked high on the list as well.

"I took so many pictures, there's no more space on my phone," he said.

Among the many visits to Ottawa landmarks and museums, the students took in tours of Parliament and even sat in on Question Period, although were disappointed that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was not there that day. Pybus said that although some complications with flights meant the trip got off to a sleepy start, he and the students had a fantastic time.

In keeping with the sports and fitness theme, the students took in a lecture by Daniele Sauvageau, the head coach of the Olympic women's hockey team on leadership, and participated in various games-related workshops, including soccer, skiing, yoga and cave exploring.

"I hope they came away with an appreciation for their own culture, and an appreciation for Canada and the rest of its cultures and practices," Pybus said. "I hope they come away with more confidence in themselves, that they made new friends and had an amazing time, whatever that looks like for each of them."