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An Experience of a Lifetime - 2006 National Youth Conference in Valcartier, Quebec
By Krystal Hawkins, MFRC Children/Youth & Emergency Childcare Coordinator, Moose Jaw
Delegates from CF locations in Canada, the United States and Europe gathered at the CFPSA National Youth Conference held May 8-11 in Valcartier, Quebec. Two youth (15 years or older,) one MFRC staff and one PSP staff were invited to attend from each CF location.
The Moose Jaw contingent included Matthew Noel and Kiefer Mercer from the Youth Advisory Committee, Cindy Driscoll, PSP Facilities and Aquatic Coordinator and Krystal Hawkins, MFRC Children/Youth & Emergency Childcare Coordinator. The four of us gathered in Quebec City for an experience of a lifetime.
 The Moose Jaw contingent from left to right: Matthew Noel, Cindy Driscoll, Keifer Mercer and Krystal Hawkins |
Our arrival was met with a carnival, complete with clowns.
The conference began the following day, with a motivational speaker, and later the youth delegates visited CFB Valcartier's Centre Castor to enjoy an afternoon of archery, rock climbing, team building and stationary biking. At suppertime the youth and adult delegates met at the Citadelle (the oldest military building in Quebec) for a delicious catered meal, and later, a two-hour walking tour of Old Quebec.
Day three included a choice of workshops for youth on topics like self esteem, violence, stress management, suicide, self-defence, and logo's are us. Meanwhile, the adults enjoyed a motivational talk about teamwork. The remainder of the day was used to share ideas and form relationships. That evening we were treated to a formal banquet with French cuisine and presentations from MGen Langton and Senator Lucie Pepin. The evening ended with a high-energy, live-band dance. Needless to say, by day four we were all pretty tired. The morning began with a youth town hall and ended mid-morning. We visited a mall for some shopping before our flight home and enjoyed the challenge of hiring a taxi and finding our way around without an ounce of bilingual talent. There's nothing like immersion to force you to learn the language! On the way home Cindy and I asked Matthew and Kiefer a few questions about their experience in Quebec. Kiefer said his favourite experience involved Team Oboe. Team Oboe is a group of six guys and two girls from all across Canada who are all different, and very funny. Many lessons were learned during the conference, from basic self-defence to increased knowledge of the National Youth Model. Kiefer learned that "it is important to have friends. People you like to hang out with will like you for who you are, even if you act stupid." When asked what information the boys wanted to share with their peers, Matthew stated, "We are working on making everything better. That's what this conference was all about." Kiefer said he learned things and had fun at the same time. "I have never laughed so much in my life."
Thank you to the CFPSA for providing an experience of a lifetime!
