Chelsea - Day 7 Recap

Today marked the final day of the week-long exchange program between Hollyburn and Chelsea Nordiq, and it was filled with meaningful moments and heartfelt farewells. Each athlete had the chance to choose their final morning activity, with some heading out for one last ski, others opting for snowshoeing, exploring a museum, or simply taking it easy with a restful morning at their host house.

Around noon, everyone gathered at Jay and Janet’s home for a wonderful farewell lunch. The meal featured Montreal-style bagels, Schwartz smoked meat sandwiches, and delicious salads, with a special thank you to the families who contributed to this simple yet perfect feast. The group enjoyed reminiscing about the week, watching a slideshow of photos from the trip, and reflecting on the incredible experiences they shared.

Kiara, an athlete with remarkable leadership qualities, played a key role in wrapping up the week. With the support of the coaches, she presented personalized awards to each athlete, complete with beautifully designed certificates featuring both club logos. Even the coaches received their own certificates as a token of appreciation. The award ceremony was a special touch that brought everyone together in celebration.

In an unexpected and creative moment, the girls presented a song they had composed about their experience, set to the tune of *Macarena*. Their bravery in performing it for the group earned them a big round of applause for their creativity and courage.

As the afternoon came to a close, it was time to say goodbye. The bus arrived to take the athletes to the airport for their flight home, marking the end of an unforgettable journey. The memories from this exchange will last a lifetime, and though the program has ended, the connections made and lessons learned will continue to inspire all involved.

A collection of photos from both the Chelsea Nordiq and Hollyburn trips will soon be available on the cloud, and parents will receive the link via email. This blog will stay accessible for readers to revisit the journey whenever they wish. It’s bittersweet that the week has come to a close, but the hope is to see everyone again soon—perhaps on a cross-country trail in the future.

Chelsea Awards:

Athletes :

Alex- strongest opinions about music

Amelia F-best one pole skiing

Amelia S- best sarcasm

Ben- best keen skier

Chloe- most considerate friend

Ella- best firestarter

Helena- best company

Grace- nickname ninja

Henry- best guardian ( for buried person in snow)

Imogen- best snow scientist