Yellowknife (Mar 19/03) - For one group of students, French isn't just for the classroom.

But at the end of the day French immersion students often go home and leave their French skills behind.

That's why Camp de Neige is so important. It's a chance for 54 Grade 4 to 6 J.H. Sissons and William McDonald students to use French in a non-academic setting, said J.H. Sissons Grade 5 teacher Marie-Francoise Le Doze.

Last week, the students spent three days at the Yellowknife Ski Club playing in the snow, cooking, creating and playing games while speaking only French.

They were not allowed to speak English to anyone including their parents. But fortunately, there was an exception made for the bilingually challenged reporter.

Camp de Neige can be a bit overwhelming for the Grade 4 students who've only been with the immersion program since September.

Avery Burke, a Grade 5 student from J.H. Sissons said she found the first year hard but is getting along better this year.

"It's a lot easier to understand what everybody is saying (now)," said Burke.

When asked how he liked Camp de Neige, Devin Madsen answered without hesitation, "comme-ci comme-ca" (it's okay).

Madsen, a Grade 5 J.H. Sissons student, loved missing school to play outdoors for three days.

Little did he know how much he was learning.

Parents are thrilled to help with the camp, a project they deem a worthwhile component to the French Immersion program.

"I think it gives them a different opportunity to use their language," said Allison Lamothe, whose son is in Grade 4 at J.H. Sissons.

"It really encourages them to speak French all of the time."

Nick Alty's two eldest daughters went through the immersion program and now his youngest is attending Camp de Neige.

He said bilingualism has opened many doors for his older children and expects the same will happen for his youngest.