As they rounded the shore of an island, a blue heron took off from between the reeds in front of them. Eventually, the kayakers pulled into the quiet bay of another island for a break. “My arms will probably be sore tomorrow, but right now I’m in awe,” said Troy Bartman, class chaperone and vice-principal of the students’ school, Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre. It was a particularly memorable day for him as it was his birthday.

Lunch on the island was a buffet of build-your-own sandwiches and fresh fruit. Before every meal, the students participate in a gratitude circle and each time two different students are picked to share something they’re grateful for.

“It’s a big part of our school culture, that feedback and reflection,” said teacher Adele Henderson.

After exploring the island, it was back to the kayaks and on to the mainland, where the bus waited to take the students to Prescott. An hour later it pulled up outside the palisade of Fort Wellington National Historic Site.

Interpreters in full 19^th century costume welcomed them through the gates. The students got a tour of the fort, from the spacious officer’s quarters to the caponnière under the ramparts. Friesen was really impressed by the fort. “They thought of everything for the fortifications — the layout and daily password changes.”

To the surprise of the students and teacher, one of most interesting stops on the tour was at the clapboard building housing the latrines. The latrines were essentially deep pits under the building with a few slats overtop. Although soldiers weren’t allowed to throw things inside, they regularly tossed in contraband and the latrines have turned out to be a treasure trove for archaeologists.

The tour ended in the blockhouse, where students found out that they would be sleeping in the same barracks where the soldiers and their families used to live. In total, there used to be 80 people sleeping on the second floor of the blockhouse and everyone was locked in at night, not only for safety but also as a way to keep people from deserting to the United States. Another fun fact the students learned: children would have slept under the bed.

Before heading out for dinner, John Lawless, one of the Fort Wellington interpreters, offered to do a weapons demonstration. “Who wants to be my target?” joked Lawless. “I’ll put an apple on your head.”

A chorus of “me, me, me” went up from the students as hands shot in the air. Although no one re-enacted the story of William Tell, students got the chance to see Lawless load up and fire his Brunswick rifle, which let out a loud bang that ripped through the air.

Afterwards, students walked along the Prescott harbourfront to the Red George, an old pub with stone walls and and tartan tablecloths. In mess dinner tradition, two students were chosen to lead — Rezner Thickson was president and Tyla Opp was vice-president. Opp read out the rules, which amounted to: hats off, no smoking, no politics, no elbows on table, no leaving the table without permission and no toasts until the end. And then Thickson added a rule of his own, “If anyone says the word food then a piece of silverware will be taken from you.”

That caused some chaos and more than one accusation of “He said the F word!” as spoons and forks were seized. The hearty dinner made up for the chill and drizzle that had crept up from the water and students enjoyed chicken pot pie, soup, bread pudding and custard. Halfway through dinner, Prescott’s mayor Brett Todd paid the students a visit.

After dessert, students one by one raised their glasses and offered a toast. “To the Queen. To our honoured guests. To our fallen comrades. To the regiment. To the ladies. To the staff of the Red George.”

As dusk fell, they returned to the fort for s’mores around a campfire.

Check back tomorrow for more highlights from the trip!