The Origins of Camp Trois-Saumon

by Bianka Roberge and Edgar Courouble

Each and every student of Saint-Charles-Garnier knows of the traditional adventure at Camp Trois-Saumons. The activity consists of a group of volunteering sec 5 students helping the first-year students accommodate to their new school, the new rhythm of life, and the new people. It is an event during which bonds like none others are created, both between the fifth-year students and the first-year students.

2017-2022 Cohort

However, what exactly are the origins of Camp Trois-Saumons? Where does the idea even come from? Who’s behind the scenes of such an adventure? The more you think about it, and the more the mystery thickens until only wonders and questions without answers are left.

Curious, we decided to lead our own investigation to find said answers to these questions.

Thanks to the generous help of Guylaine Pineault, we were able to gather some much valuable information:

At first, the activity of Camp Trois-Saumons was held for a handful of students only, mainly those part of the A.G.E, or other such clubs that had a direct influence on the school system and the students. It was mainly a way to thank them for their service and help, like a reward.

It is only in between 2000 and 2005 -many years have passed since then, and a certain date thus wasn’t able to be confirmed- that it changed. Marc-Alain Ferragne, former sports coordinator, Michelle Pouliot, and other teachers and colleagues put together the main idea of a welcoming camp, of a sort.

The idea was simple: the secondary 5 students would welcome the first-year students through bonding activities so as to pass down the values of the school: sharing, caring about others, respect of others, respect of self, cooperation… these are the original values of the Jésuites, and they believed the students would be more receptive to fellow peers rather than normal teachers.

As the years passed one after the other, the activity proved to be successful and well received by all of the students. Soon enough, it became one of the most awaited traditions of the College.

All in all, the Camp Trois-Saumons not only helps the younger generation to accommodate, but it also forges some important bonds that will support them during all of their high school years. And, when comes their turn to perpetuate their tradition, the majority are eager to do so.

Take this year, for example: a great adventure, with amazing memories and fantastic moments, has been completed. However, if you ever ask, all will agree that it never truly ended, and it was actually only the beginning of something even greater.