Student Life
RSGC Experience

Beyond the Classroom

Experience RSGC

Beyond the Classroom

Students at RSGC learn as much outside the classroom as they do within the walls of the school. There is an old adage that says a person learns more about themselves and others in an hour of play than in a lifetime of work. This is supported by research and our experience at RSGC – experiential, kinesthetic, and interactive learning has a deep and lasting impact on a student’s personal, interpersonal, and values development.

Our Co-Curricular Program

The mission of Royal St. George’s College directs us to challenge each of our students to become the best version of themselves. Our co-curricular program supports this by providing our students with opportunities to experience the world beyond campus, and in doing so, support the development of authentic academic, emotional, physical, and social growth as part of their Georgian experience.
 
RSGC offers ample opportunities for our students to take their learning outside the classroom – whether it’s a field trip to a local park to discover bugs under a stone, a trip across the world to sing in a Cathedral, snowshoeing on an overnight camping trip, an exchange trip to experience another culture, learn another language and make friends from a different country, or the chance to open trading at the stock exchange.

Outdoor Education

At RSGC outdoor education has, of course, the important focus of providing students with the opportunity of being physically active in beautiful and positive outdoor settings while having fun with their friends and teachers. 

But RSGC’s tradition of outdoor education is also very much about connection and leadership. Designed specifically for the age and grade of our students, ultimately our outdoor education program is a foundation of the incredible relationships that are a hallmark of being Georgian. As well, the outdoor ed trips provide opportunities for our “Student Leaders” group, who join the outings and act as role models for the younger Georgians, and assist the adults with activities.
Many outdoor ed activities take place at RSGC, such as canoe trips and hiking. We have specific trips with specific aims (beyond fun, that is) for Grades 3 to 11:

List of 6 items.

  • Outdoor Education: Grades 3-6

      Students in Grades 3 to 6 participate in a thoughtfully designed Outdoor Education program that alternates between overnight trips and year-long outdoor learning experiences.
      Overnight Outdoor Education at Camp Wanakita
      Every other year, students embark on an overnight trip to Camp Wanakita to help students become comfortable away from home while fostering independence and a sense of belonging within the school community. Through activities such as winter sports, team challenges, and group-based exploration, students build confidence, develop teamwork skills, and deepen their appreciation for the beauty of winter.
      Year-Long Outdoor Education Experiences
      In alternating years, students engage in outdoor education spread across the entire school year. They participate in four out-of-city excursion days, where they explore and develop a variety of skills, including:
      • Orienteering and navigation
      • Team building and collaborative problem-solving
      • Creating art inspired by nature
      • Cross-country skiing
      • Practical survival skills
      These excursions provide students with opportunities to connect with nature, develop resilience, and discover new strengths.

    • Community Building: Grade 7

      With Grade 7 a key entry point into the RSGC community this trip, to Camp Onondaga in September, has a strong emphasis on community. The focus of this trip has the boys working together and interacting with their new peer group.

    • Leadership Building: Grade 8

      The Grade 8s attend Camp Wanakita in February (alongside the Grade 3 to 6 students). The students explore a variety of fun and challenging winter camp activities, and act as leaders to the Grade 5s and 6s, giving the Grade 8 boys an opportunity to explore different leadership approaches and styles, and build on their role as the Junior School’s student leaders. As well, the trip helps strengthen and develop friendships.

    • Community Building: Grade 9

      The first week of school each September finds our Grade 9 students at Camp Arowhon. Though many begin the week as strangers, after a week of team-building activities, shared meals and community-building workshops, students return to school with new connections and new and strengthened friendships, as they embark on the next four years of high school.

    • Self Discovery and Skill Development: Grade 10

      In January, Grade 10 students can choose a four-day dog sledding trip in Algonquin Park, or a four-day, winter skills adventure at Camp Wanakita; both designed to allow students to explore their personal interests. These trips are designed to allow students to challenge themselves and develop skills they can draw upon when back on campus and contributing to the school community.

    • Personal Adventure and Leadership Development: Grade 11

      Spent in the mountains of BC in early April at Strathcona Park Lodge on Vancouver Island, the Grade 11 outdoor experience focuses on students recognizing moments when leadership is needed, and the different styles of leadership in varied contexts. The expectation is that each student will come to recognize their own leadership strengths and grow in their confidence in using those skills as they move into their final year, and become senior leaders in the school.

    Excursions & Exchanges

    List of 3 items.

    • Student Exchange Programs

      Grade 8 students can participate in an exchange program with RSGC’s partner institution – George Watson College in Edinburgh, Scotland – travelling to and living in Scotland over the March Break for two weeks. In the fall the George Watson students visit RSGC.

    • Cultural Immersion Trips

      Students have the opportunity to participate in language and cultural exchanges, providing unique opportunities to partner with other students from around the world, and to study and use other languages, all while enriching their knowledge of diverse cultures. Our students report they are impacted not only by the academic aspects of their exchanges, but also by living and learning in a new community:
       
      French exchanges take place in France and Belgium, while a Spanish immersion trip took our students to Guatemala. Another opportunity allows our students to experience Judo in Japan.
       

    • Band and Choir Tours

      RSGC has a rich choir and instrumental music history, which continues today with strong music programs in both the Senior and Junior schools. RSGC provides wonderful opportunities for our Senior School band and choir students to participate in annual tours (e.g. Japan and Portugal are recent destinations). The students participate in a number of musical performances with opportunities to perform at unique and historic venues, and work with other musicians and singers. At the same time, the tours give students a chance to explore historical and cultural sites, and meet people throughout the countries they visit, expanding their world view. 

      Closer to home, RSGC’s choir has for six decades been featured in the annual Service of Lessons and Carols at Toronto’s The Cathedral Church of St. James – one of the College’s oldest traditions and one that is a cornerstone of our community and school. 

    Find Us

    120 Howland Ave | Toronto, ON | M5R 3B5
    416-533-9481 
    info@rsgc.on.ca

    About

    Royal St. George's College is an independent school for boys located in The Annex neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Our mission is to challenge and inspire each of our students to become the best version of himself.
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