.jpg "A group of students posing outdoors beside a flag and large driftwood log.")
Staff and students from Bruce Peninsula District School (BPDS) participated in their annual Footprints Conference from June 10 to 12, 2026, at Cypress Lake Campground in Bruce Peninsula National Park. The conference is a 19-year tradition at BPDS and the culminating trip for secondary students.
While camping at the park, students participate in many team building and leadership activities led by senior Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) students, Student Council, teachers, and community partners. The students sign up for a variety of sessions focused on different pathways and careers in the outdoors.
This year, students got to experience and learn about the Ontario Provincial Police's Canine Unit, shoreline cooking, canoeing, Anishinaabe culture and the Big Canoe, archeology, avian species identification and birdhouse making, as well as arts and crafts using found materials. Park staff visited to talk about careers working for Parks Canada, and students also played the Survival Game, enjoyed a talent show at the campfire, and went hiking.
The conference is free for all students thanks to funding through the SHSM program and donations from several community partners and local businesses. School staff are passionate and dedicated to the tradition and spend the week preparing food, cooking, leading games and activities, and supervising the sessions.
Teacher Emily Cameron noted, "It is a really special event that brings all of us together in a way only small schools can do. We feel grateful to be part of such a dedicated team and appreciate the beautiful environment we get to work in, and enjoy sharing these experiences with our students. We get to see students smile, laugh, learn new skills, become great leaders, and develop friendships that will last a lifetime."
Students ended the week by visiting Tobermory and participating in a scavenger hunt and sporting activity at the municipal ball diamond.
The Footprints Conference is open to every secondary student at BPDS, but also helps SHSM Environment program students satisfy reach-ahead graduation requirements.