I promised myself I wouldn’t set up a separate blog just for my National Gathering in Banff, but I must say I’m tempted. There is so much information out here, so much I want to know, so many people to discover, its overwhelming, but in a pleasant way. For those just checking into my life, I was invited to participate in YouthScape‘s National Gathering, this year being held in Banff. YS in essence is a nation-wide initiative to engage young people in creating long term change. I sit on the steering committee for GoGrants, a wicked idea fostered by YouthScape and funded & facilitated through Child & Youth Friendly Calgary (did you catch that alliteration?). This conference has brought youth from Victoria all the way to Halifax. We all had a kick-off session of introductions today at Loose Moose Theater, and then loaded unto a luxury bus en route to Banff. We’re currently at the Banff Center, which is across the river from the Banff Springs Hotel, and this place honestly blew me away. Many guests are already referring to it as a “campus” of sorts, with recreation centers, rock climbing, pubs, stores, dining halls, conference rooms, guest towers, everything. I am quiet impressed.
Anyway, since the session in Calgary was very informative, the Banff component tonight was mad chill. We had an amazing dinner and the desserts were to die for;
After dinner, we were all dismissed to a night at our own leisure. A lot of the youth from the east coast, who had been on both a plane and a bus today, headed straight to their rooms. Me? I got settled in, JURR style =)
And now, I’m jamming to Seeing Sounds, something which hasn’t gotten a lotta play recently, and keeping my growing regular readers up to date on my life. I have loads of UNICEF stuff to get through, and hopefully I can do it all tonight, but I’m definitely going to take a break from the world and just have a nice mini vacation before I hit school hard next week. Christmas break was neither “Christmas” nor a “Break” for me, so this is yet. Sorry babe, I won’t be checking my cell phone or my emails =)
BUT, I will keep you kids up to date via my blog, in regards to YS related activities. Check back soon, I’m heading to the pub for some life changing conversations with new friends.
