Uko Akpanuko
Daily Herald
Residents who love film and outdoor adventures will have plenty to look forward to when selections from the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival are shows at the EA Rawlinson Centre on April 30.
The event will not only showcase the festival’s best selections, it will also help raise money for a Prince Albert Collegiate outdoor education course.
PAC teacher Jordan Holmen oversees the program and has travelled to Saskatoon for similar festivals in the past. He said they were looking for fundraising opportunities, and this seemed like a good fit for Prince Albert.
“I seem to remember it was on a Monday in Saskatoon and I was driving in a snowstorm to make it to the event,” Holmen said with a chuckle. “It was maybe in those moments I thought, ‘we should have one of these in PA.’”
The festival runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Rawlinson. Holmen described the films as a “collection of inspiration”.
“I don’t think I would ever dream of somebody doing some of the things that are in these videos, but it does myself and my friend groups kind of excited about doing this kind of sports and activities like skiing or climbing or whatever it might be,” he said. “I just think that if you have any sort of passion for being outside in any shape or form, it motivates you and gets you to see what the possibilities are. Plus, the filmmaking quality is phenomenal.”
This event is proudly sponsored by the Malcolm J. Jenkins Family Foundation. Holmen said the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival lineup is packed with thought-provoking, action-inspiring mountain films celebrating climbing, snowsports, biking, the environment and more.
The proceeds from this event will be used to support the Outdoor Adventures Program at Prince Albert Collegiate (PACI). The Outdoor Adventures Program offers high-quality, experiential land-based learning opportunities for students in Grades 10 and 11.
Holmen said the program allows students opportunities to explore diverse landscapes across Saskatchewan, from the grasslands to the northern shield. He said these experiences provide lifelong skills and knowledge that extend far beyond the classroom.
Holmen added that land-based and outdoor education provides significant benefits for students’ academic, physical, and personal growth. The Outdoor Adventures Program at PACI harnesses these advantages to create lasting, positive impacts on student success, he said.
Engaging, hands-on experiences keep students motivated and on track for long-term success. Students in outdoor education programs are more likely to graduate and pursue further educational opportunities.
“It just gives kids an alternative to the classroom exposure,” Holmen explained. “It’s just all hands-on learning. We take them to different parts of the Province and they explore different ecosystems and habitats. It’s really successful for students who just can’t find their groove in the four walls of the classroom.”
The Rawlinson doors will open at 6 p.m. on April 30 for a sponsor trade show, with film screenings starting at 7 p.m.
“It’s a great opportunity to get out and enjoy something different,” Holemn said. “We are trying to bring something to PA that is a little bit different from the usual stuff that we might see here in town.”
–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald
