Unique schooling organization brings ideas to Jasperite

Last week, Jasper National Park hosted a group of students from all over the world who attend schools that teach them a unique set of ideals.

Round Square is an international association that focuses on internationalism, democracy, environment, adventure, leadership and service (IDEALS) as the cornerstones of education. About 70 schools from six continents belong to the association. 

The Round Square annual conference presents a unique opportunity to youth, typically in Grades 9 through 11, who get to travel the world not only to the conference destination but to a pre-conference program as well. 

School groups may choose which of a variety of pre-conference locations they would like to attend, and 23 selected a program at the Palisades Center in Jasper National Park held from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2. The group included students from Thailand and Victoria, B.C., as well as six from Alberta. Though the students from Grande Cache and Jasper don’t attend Round Square schools, the GYRD school board paid for them to attend.

Kelly Neufeld, a teacher’s assistant at Grande Cache Community High School, said Round Square is a fascinating organization. “I think GYRD should get on, I think we’re missing out,” she said. “I would love to go to the conference, it seems like a fantastic opportunity.” Schools that are committed to providing service and can demonstrate they adhere to the ideals can apply to become Round Square schools.

Paul Crouch, Round Square coordinator at Regent’s School in Thailand, said the theme at this year’s conference is sustainability and conservation, and that the students selected to attend will complete assignments and present to their peers based on what they learn. The conference will include keynote speakers as well as a variety of discussion groups and learning sessions.

James Bartram, stewardship education project lead for Parks Canada, said Parks’ three pillars are education, experience and protection. “There’s lots of crossover in terms of work we’re doing... it’s such a great fit for an organization like the Round Square,” Bartram said. “We wanted to make sure we put a program together for them that would be attractive.”

The kids went rafting, hiked the Valley of the Five Lakes, visited Lake Edith, and worked with Parks Canada staff on a stewardship project – to name just a few of the items on their packed schedules. 

Tomer Borenstein, 17, is from Israel but attends Regent’s School in Thailand and said coming to Jasper was an incredible experience. “I’ve just been having so much fun,” he said. “And I didn’t know what elk were before I came here.”

Visiting a pre-conference destination is intended to allow groups of students to connect with one another, to mentally prepare for the conference, and to recover if they’ve travelled a great distance, Crouch said.

From Jasper the students, except those from GYRD, left to go to this year’s conference which is hosted by two Round Square schools in British Columbia – Glenlyon Norfolk in Victoria and Collingwood in Vancouver – and runs from Oct. 3-9.