RRHS students now get credit for experiencing the outdoors

By Ken Johnston
Editor

There is a new program at Rainy River High School that some residents may have noticed in the past few weeks.
The school received a shipment of 16 fiberglass canoes at Christmas time and in the past several weeks have been using them to their fullest. In fact they recently returned from a three day trip to the Quetico area where they used the boats as well as many of the skills learned in a brand new course taught at the school called Outdoor Activities.
Principal Jim Chorney said the idea has been kicking around for about four years. Teacher Guy Arpin said it really got wings when former RRHS administrator and now school board administrator Casey Slack asked, “What would it take to make this happen.” Arpin said he gave him a wish list and now it is a reality.
However, the program is not just about canoes. This past winter the students learned winter survival techniques and then went on an overnight dog sledding excursion with a trapper. “Some students slept in cabins while others slept in small shelters made out of snow,” said Arpin.
Students are also able to earn certification for different types of canoeing and also regular boat safety and operators licensing.
Arpin said that he has had a great deal of help from Atikokan High School and Sioux Lookout High School where both have had programs running for years. This is the second year of the program at RRHS and Arpin is working his way up the certification ladder for canoeing as well. He is already a certified motor boat license instructor.
Other outdoor activities the course studies include hunting and fishing, archery, global positioning systems and survival techniques.
The course has proven to be very popular. With only one instructor to date, Arpin can only accommodate ten students. When more teachers are certified they may be able to add more spots in the course. The board of education is offering a certification course this summer and teachers from Rainy River to Fort Frances have shown interest.
The canoes at RRHS are for the entire board to use. They will be stored in Rainy River but other schools will have access to them.
Chorney said the program may eventually become a dual credit course where the students will earn both high school and college credits.
Arpin said that his personal love for the outdoors has made this course very special to him and he has seen its impact on students. “After each trip I had them write about their experiences. Some said it was one of the best things they have ever done in their life.”