A class adventure being billed as the ‘trip of a lifetime’ received a $17,000 upgrade courtesy of the Masonic Lodge Foundation.
Fourteen students from North Queens Community School have been planning the trek to Vimy Ridge since 2014.
The masons asked for two things in exchange for their investment – that the group carry the flag of Mechanics Lodge 78 on their journey, and at some point they stop and sing O’Canada together.
Teacher Julie Ramey says it will be a memorable moment.
“This flag was given to masons groups for their 250 anniversary so, you know the likelihood that some of those soldiers were masons is pretty great. So, to be able to take their flag to their space is a pretty powerful moment.”
Ramey says it will allow them to take in a few extras that would have been out of reach otherwise, like a day trip to rural France and a tour of Windsor Castle.
“…and then some other things like the bunker tours at Juno Beach, the London Eye, the Eiffle Tower. Some of those kinds of things that were more expensive that we could afford to do that now we can afford to do.
Eighteen-year-old Hayley Frail says she’s incredibly grateful to the masons for the gift.
The money will go to a number of things including a visit to Windsor Castle and a bunker tour at Juno Beach.
When asked Frail was hard pressed to name the thing she’s most excited to see.
“So much to look forward to, but I think that the two top things that we’re going to–well three top things…It’s too much I can’t decide!”
But Frail was able to pinpoint that the trip is a chance to see how Canada became the nation it is.
“We’re walking where our ancestors did, and we’re going to the place where we became a country, right?”
The group will arrive at Vimy Ridge in time to honour the 100th anniversary of the battle.
They leave on April 6.
