ALBERTA
In one evening, Setia Antoine saw the biggest crowd of people she's ever seen in her life and took in her first professional hockey game.

Angel Baton, left, Setia Antoine and Destiny Cli-Moses get ready for another run at Marmot Basin. Eight students participated in Chief Julian Yendo School's third annual snowboarding trip to Alberta from March 20 to 28. - photo courtesy of Blair and Leona Sellars

Antoine, 9, was one of eight students from Chief Julian Yendo School that teachers Blair and Leona Sellars took on an eight-day school trip. It was the third annual trip to Alberta based around snowboarding that the teachers have organized.

The trip included a lot of firsts for Antoine, because it was her first big school trip.

"It was awesome," she said.

Snowboarding was her favourite part. After leaving Wrigley on March 20 and stopping at High Level and Grande Prairie, the group spent three nights at the Jasper Activity Centre. Their days were filled with non-stop snowboarding.

The students headed up the hills at Marmot Basin at 9 a.m. each day and made sure to catch the last run up before the lifts closed at 4 p.m., said Leona. Antoine, who'd never snowboarded before, took a day of lessons to learn the basics of the sport. Although she fell a lot, Antoine said she improved.

"It was fun," she said.

After the lifts closed, the students had supper and headed for the pool and hot tub to finish their days. Physical activity is a key part of the annual trips.

"It provides a unique opportunity for the kids to positively socially interact with each other and other people," Leona said.

"It also promotes healthy, positive choices and physical activity."

The students look forward to the trip so it acts as a good motivator. It also opens their eyes to the wider world, Blair said.

Watching a NHL game was the other trip highlight for Antoine. The group drove to Edmonton on March 25, got settled in their new hotel, went out for a steak supper and then took in a game between the Oilers and the Sharks at Rexall Place. It was the first time an NHL game has been incorporated into the trip.

"They are just in awe," Leona said about the students' reaction to the stadium, the crowd and the game during the first period.

By the second period the students started to get into the game. Many of them, including Antoine, bought giant foam hands to help them cheer on the Oilers who, disappointingly, lost.

Antoine, who is an Oilers' fan, said she'd like to go to a game again and had never seen so many people in one place before. With a capacity of almost 17,000, the centre could house the population of the Deh Cho with plenty of room to spare.

"It was a really good, positive experience for the children," Blair said about the trip.

The Sellars, with help from students, fundraised for the trip by running a bottle depot, movie and fun nights. Pehdzeh Ki First Nation, the local District Education Authority and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs also supported the trip.