On July 18, six local teens–Ria Cuthbertson, Jennifer Sobkowicz, Adam Jewell, Karl Martinson, Matthew Gustafson, and Chantel Shine– along with two leaders–Carol Gustafson and Kathy Cuthbertson–left Fort Frances to travel to Halifax for the Canadian Lutheran Youth Gathering.
The event drew over 1,600 youths from across the country.
The local group has been fundraising for the trip by preparing meals for their congregation since the last gathering in Alberta, two years ago.
The group drove to Winnipeg, and boarded a flight for Toronto. They stayed overnight in the city, sleeping in a church basement there.
The next morning, the group joined a convoy of 25 buses, holding a total of 1,100 people, who were touring their way to Halifax for the convention.
The first stop was in Quebec City, where they had time to explore old Quebec and Laval.
After more travelling, the group ended up in staying at the beautiful university in Sackville, N. B. Much of the next day was spent sight-seeing in Prince Edward Island, after the teens crossed the amazing Confederation Bridge connecting the two provinces.
The afternoon was spent on Cavendish Beach, which included a viewing of the home of “Anne of Green Gables” and a play.
That night was spent on the cement floor of the Charlottetown Civic Centre, as the entire group of over 1000 packed in the arena.
“I don’t think there was one night where we got more than four hours sleep,” said Carol Gustafson.
The group arrived at Dalhousie University in Halifax, N.S. on July 22. The gathering itself began the next day.
“It was an awesome experience,” stated Kathy Cuthbertson. “It was very inspirational.”
Everyone was given a choice of what they would like to do in Halifax, and so the group split two ways. Leaders Gustafson and Cuthbertson chose to see Peggy’s Cove, and explore the beautiful waterfront.
All the teens went whale watching, where they were soon lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking motion of the boat, not to mention a lack of sleep. None of the teens reported seeing any whales, but who knows what they missed while asleep?
All 1,850 people who attended the gathering were fed at Pier 22, on the waterfront that evening. Dinner was followed by an entertaining concert, featuring Celtic rock band, “MacKeel.”
The return trip involved a 22-bus convoy back to Toronto, where the group caught a return flight to Winnipeg. They arrived back in Fort Frances around midnight July 27.
What was best about the trip?
“I just liked all the people,” said Matthew Gustafson, adding the length of the journey didn’t bother him one bit. “It was a pretty fun trip, all the way through.”
Kathy Cuthbertson agreed, noting it was “a beautiful tour, but exhausting.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
