February 2, 2010

Merton Williams Middle School French students travel to Quebec

Hilton's Merton Williams Middle School French students in teacher Diane Campbell's class visited Quebec Jan. 15-18. "Forty students and five chaperones made the winter trek to Quebec and what an adventure we all had!" Mrs. Campbell said. "During our stay we experienced things that will last us a lifetime.  Each of us participated in a walking tour of the city guided by local guides.  We were fortunate to stay right with in the walls of the city so it made it very easy for us to get around, shop, eat, and sightsee." 

"We saw an amazing view of the St Lawrence River with its ice breakers and people preparing for the winter carnival race across the river in a canoe!  Students had the fun of climbing a huge ramp with a toboggan and riding it down at 40 mph. Friday evening we ventured to the Sugar Shack where we ate a tradition Quebecois meal, played the spoons, listened to great music, and danced the night away."

The group toured the Beaupré Coast visiting a woodcarving shop where we heard old tales of Quebec and touring the beautiful Cathedral of Ste. Anne de Beaupré.  In addition, students learned to drive a dog sled through the woods for several miles.  "Each pair of students had a sled and five dogs to lead.  There we 250 dogs in all not including the puppies.  It was so fun to run behind the sled, dodge the trees. Once we got our dogs parked we strapped on snow shoes and tromped through the woods," she said.  "Needless to say we had an awesome snowball fight on the way.  We ended up in a First Nation longhouse where we met a chief named 'Bear.'  We visited the Ice Hotel, one of only two such places in the world and we were fortunate enough to be able to tour it.  There were bedrooms, ice beds, ice chairs, ice carvings, animal pelts for warmth, a disco, and a bar with ice glasses.  We began our trip home with big smiles on our faces and memories to treasures for a lifetime."  For more about Middle School French, Mrs. Campbell may be reached at 585-392-1000 ext. 3159.

French students celebrate Mardi Gras!