French speaking students from across B.C. headed to Comox from May 17-20 for the annual BC Francophone Games.
École Au-coeur-de-l’île hosted the 28th year of the games and saw 130 students come through the doors to participate in a fun-filled weekend of learning and bonding with fellow francophones.
The event is put on by the Francophone Youth Council of B.C., run by a board of francophone youth aged 14 to 25.
In a province where the french speakers are a considerable minority, events like these are extra important, says coordinator for the games, Adrien De Rodez.
“They don’t necessarily have the opportunity to practice [french] in their daily life. For all of us it’s usually in English right, it’s the reality of British Columbia,” he said. “So on top of that, we want them to be able to know a different culture and understand a different language – whether it’s a second or third or fourth language.”
Participants could choose activities in sports, arts or sciences to perfect throughout the weekend.
Sports participants took part in a mini-Olympics, playing soccer, volleyball, basketball, kick ball and track and field. Some students had the opportunity to learn outdoor skills, while others learned science first hand in the local forests.
Arts students had the option to play music, learn visual arts and dance.
The weekend ended with a gala evening and dance where students showed off what they learned throughout the weekend before saying goodbye to their new friends the next day.
jolene.rudisuela@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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