On Sidney Island, the students had a quick lunch and were then welcomed by Eric Pelkey, the hereditary chief of the Tsawout First Nation, who once called the Gulf Islands and part of Vancouver Island home. He invited everyone to enjoy the fruits of the land before the students feasted on dungeness crab, caught and cooked by Aaron Sam, in the traditional Saanich way — boiled whole in sea water. A few of the students accumulated piles of shells, enjoying the sweet but salty taste of the crab, while most of the adults indulged in the rare, delicious treat.

The class moved to another beach on the island to fish with a seine in the eel grass. The collection of gunnels, fish and crabs were put in water-filled jars so Robin Sealy from Parks Canada could discuss each. Sealy also showed the students how to dig for clams. After a quick dip in the chilly water, the class headed up a path shaded by Douglas Fir, arbutus and cedar to dinner. Following the meal, the students headed off to bed, with plans for sea kayaking and travelling to Victoria on their schedule for the next day.

Read what the students were up to as they headed across Canada for the trip and enjoyed their first full day in British Columbia. To find out how your school could win Canada’s Coolest School Trip, go to the contest website.