Friday night was spent with Mississauga Rotaractors playing whirlyball (bumper cars, scoopball and basketball all rolled into one) and laser tag, then staying with a host family overnight. On Saturday morning they had a discussion about personal branding and did some Canadian crafts, then their historical journey began.

 

First they toured Benares Historic House, a property that was first developed in the early 1800s, with the grand house built by 1850. Here they learned the work required when being granted 200 acres of land by the Crown, and saw how the very rich were able to live in some comfort.

 

They then travelled to Bradley Museum, where they stayed overnight in a typical 1850 settlers log cabin and make pancakes for breakfast. While at Bradley House they did some Community Work by spending an hour cleaning up the “kitchen garden”, saw the beautiful Toronto skyline along Lake Ontario, and learned about different kinds of fire building, using flint to start a fire, and proper technique to split wood with an axe. Of course the evening had to be at a campfire, eating smores, and singing with our Italian student who brought her guitar. Inside the museum they saw a typical kitchen of a poor settler, where they learned about candle making and some typical foods of the time. In the parlour they learned about weaving and other tasks that kept the settlers extremely busy.

 

Also sprinkled into the weekend was a discussion about values in each of their countries, a Kahoot trivia game about themselves and the RYE committee, then the weekend ended with a general trivia game of songs, movies and world cities. Thanks to the Rotary Club of Mississauga West for hosting, with RYE committee and District supervision, leading sessions and support, along with host family support from Rotary Club of Mississauga Rotarians.