Local boys win Challenge 2010

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Two students from Riverview Elementary school in Rainy River have district honours and two beautiful canoe paddles to their credit.
Ernie Drennan and Zack Tolen, both in grade 8, travelled to Mink Lake near Quetico two weeks ago to participate in the first Challenge 2010 for boys.
Two grade 8 boys were chosen from each elementary school in the district for a total of 14. The three day challenge involved getting their level one certification for canoeing on day one. The second day they learned how to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) and how to tie three knots and build a shelter. The three knots were Bow Line, Trucker’s Hitch and the Half Hitch.
Day three saw all they had learned be put the test. They had to canoe across the lake and use the GPS to track hidden cans with letters in them. Each team had a different order of cans to find as to not allow them to follow other teams around.
On this journey they also had to portage their canoe and make a shelter using tarps, ropes and the knots they had learned. The letters they collected spelled Jack Pine.
The pair completed their tasks in 51 minutes! That was 10 minutes faster than the second place team! Both said it was a great experience and they would do it again however, next year it will be up to a new pair of grade 8 students as they are advancing to high school in the fall.