Wynchemna Day 2: Soccer, Roller Skating & Fun Times!!
Day 2 at Wynchemna kicked off with a burst of energy—and just a little bit of yawning—as students made their way to their breakfast rooms for the first time. These smaller groups are a fun way to start each day together, and they help everyone ease into the morning with food, friends, and a few laughs. Some students tried new cereals, others asked politely for second helpings of waffles, and everyone got a chance to greet their new groupmates in English.
After breakfast, we got moving with a round of “Get to Know You Bingo”—a lively activity that had students racing around to find classmates who fit certain descriptions. “Find someone who has a dog,” “Find someone who’s been to more than 3 countries,” or “Find someone who can whistle” had everyone chatting, pointing, and laughing. It was a great way to break the ice and discover surprising things about each other.
Next up, we all headed to the dining hall for lunch, where students bonded over pasta, steak, sandwiches, and the buffet. Meals at Wynchemna are not only tasty but also another great time for students to practice casual English with friends and staff in a relaxed setting.
After lunch, we shifted gears to something a little more academic: the English proficiency exam. Don’t worry—it wasn’t too scary! The exam helps teachers get a better sense of everyone’s current English level so they can plan fun, level-appropriate lessons. Students took it seriously, but there was still lots of support and encouragement in the room. Once the exams were done, it was time to run off some steam.
We started with a few dribbling, passing, and shooting drills, then hit the field for a friendly game of soccer, and students showed off their teamwork, sportsmanship, and impressive goal-scoring skills. Whether they were seasoned players or kicking a ball for the first time, everyone had a chance to participate and cheer each other on.
Then came one of the biggest highlights of the day: roller skating! We all hopped onto a yellow school bus driven by Roger—a fan favorite already. Roger might just be the nicest bus driver in Calgary. He greeted everyone with a smile and even cracked a few jokes as we headed to the roller rink. Some students were nervous to try skating, but by the end, nearly everyone was rolling, gliding, or at least laughing their way around the rink. We even had dinner right there at the roller skating center—chicken nuggets and lots of different types of fries, and water to keep us going!
After heading back to residence, we wrapped up the night with students playing ping pong, hung out in the common room, and chatted with new friends about the day.
From breakfast bonding to roller rink adventures, Day 2 was packed with energy, laughter, and connection. The friendships are already forming, and we can’t wait to see what Day 3 has in store!
