Bingo, Ballgames & The Amazing Race: A Day to Remember in Calgar

Today at Wynchemna was a whirlwind of a day, packed from morning to night!

We started bright and early with placement exams for all of our new students, helping us get everyone settled into the right level for their English lessons. There were a few nervous faces first thing in the morning, but everyone tackled it like champs!

Once exams wrapped up, it was time for a well-deserved breakfast to refuel.

Right after breakfast, we jumped into a game of bingo, but not just any bingo — a get-to-know-you bingo designed to help everyone mingle and meet their new campmates. There was so much mingling going on, with students meeting friends from brand new countries, swapping names, hometowns, and stories. Cards were handed out, markers went flying, and students raced around the room hunting for classmates who matched the squares on their cards.

From there, we headed over to the SAIT cafeteria for lunch, where everyone grabbed a tray and found a spot with their newly made friends. The cafeteria was loud and lively, full of laughter and conversation as students continued getting to know each other over their meals, comparing bingo cards and swapping stories from back home.

After lunch, we made our way to the school nearby for some fresh air and friendly competition. Students split off into games of soccer, basketball, frisbee, and volleyball, showing off their skills in the sunshine. The soccer field had shots flying and goals being celebrated with big group cheers, the basketball hoop saw its fair share of impressive (and not-so-impressive) shots, the frisbee circle had some seriously nice throws and even nicer diving catches, and the volleyball net saw rally after rally with plenty of bumps, sets, and spikes. It didn't take long for teams to form and rivalries (all in good fun) to kick in, with students cheering each other on no matter which team they were on.

Then came the main event of the day: The Great Amazing Calgary Race! Students split into teams and set off to explore downtown Calgary, working together to complete a list of tasks along the way. Teams navigated the city streets, checked landmarks off their lists, and had to use their best English and teamwork skills to figure out where to go next and how to get there fastest. Lots of tasks required asking strangers for directions, no phones were used for navigations! By the time everyone made it back, tired but triumphant, the whole city of Calgary had basically been conquered.

Everyone met up at Rajdoot Restaurant for supper, where the group enjoyed some seriously delicious Indian food. Plates were piled high with rice, naan, and curry, and for a lot of students it was their very first time trying Indian food. The verdict was in fast — plates were cleared quickly, and more than a few students went back for seconds (some even for thirds)!

To close out the day, we held an International Supper Meeting, where students gathered together in groups with others from their own countries to brainstorm ideas for traditional dishes.

From placement exams to bingo cards to city streets to curry, today truly had it all. A huge thank you to everyone who brought the energy from morning until night — it made for an unforgettable first day. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!