S’mores and tents: Newcomers get first real glimpse of camping in Elk Island National Park
Posted July 8, 2026 6:21 pm.
Last Updated July 8, 2026 7:08 pm.
Summer is a good time for camping and going outdoors, but for some new Canadians, it can be quite daunting. From setting up a tent to knowing what to do if you see a bear or a bison.
A Norquest program is breaking this down, as well as how to make the perfect s’mores. Hoping to give campers a way to connect with Canadian culture.
It was a first-time camping experience for students, from tasting s’mores to building tents with the help of Parks Canada.
“Like in camping, we take the marshmallow; I like that. And the lake at the camping, I like it all,” said Rahel Ftwi, a Norquest student from Eritrea.
Foojnja Bakary Soro, a Norquest student from Ivory Coast, said, “I learned how to build a tent; I didn’t know how to do it, but today I got new knowledge … We also learned how to visit the park because we have something we must do and something we must not do.”
This program is now in its second year and is designed specifically for refugees and newcomers.
“There’s always a gap when our students get to our country. You know they can learn language, but it’s building that connection with our Canadian culture, Canadian residents,” said Jimenez.
The program’s advisor says this helps students to practice English while learning wildlife safety.
“This is what I thought it was, but this is what it really is, and this is when Canadians talk about camping, when we talk about tenting, when we talk about having s’mores,” said Jimenez.
For students, it won’t be their last time camping.
“I like it. I didn’t before. Now I will come, I will try to come. I will be with my family. I will come with my family,” said Ftwi.
Soro added, “I got a new experience. It’s very important for my life. Maybe when I’m going to move over to another park.”
