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Shawnigan Welcomes Tour de Rock
Carrying on a tradition as old as the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock itself, Shawnigan welcomed the riders in the long-running childhood cancer fundraiser to campus on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.
The Tour de Rock is a two-week journey down Vancouver Island – from Port Hardy to Victoria – of cyclists representing police services and other emergency responders, raising money for children and their families affected by pediatric cancer. Since 1998, Tour de Rock has raised more than $26 million, including more than $600,000 raised by Shawnigan Lake School over the last 27 years.
The money raised will support the Canadian Cancer Society in fueling pediatric cancer research and sending 600 kids each year to Camp Goodtimes, a recreation experience for children and teens affected by cancer and their families. The very first Camp Goodtimes was held on the Shawnigan campus in 1985.
The School hosted a dinner for the riders on Tuesday evening, followed by a rally in the Quad on Wednesday morning.
On Tuesday, the riders joined the Shawnigan community for a barbecue in the Quad, several students had their heads shaved, and students and staff enjoyed the traditional whipped-cream pie toss, all part of the School’s fundraising efforts. The riders and their support staff – a total of 26 people – stayed on campus overnight.
On Wednesday morning, the Tour de Rock riders rode onto campus where they were greeted by the entire School population sporting pale pink shirts bearing the word “dream,” along with translations in French (rêver) and Hul’q’umi’num' (qul’qul’uthun’). The word was chosen by the Grade 12 class as a theme for the year, with a special definition provided by “The Rev” Jim Holland: “Imagining a life full of promise and possibilities. Contemplating the future with openness of mind and largeness of heart.”
Students Brandon K. and Zoe C. spoke about the impact that cancer has had on their respective families, and Co-Head of School Desi S. welcomed the riders, saying, “The Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock not only serves as a time to uplift cancer research, but also to remember those who have been affected by cancer and to support our community. The word on our word shirts this year, ‘dream,’ is a promise for a better tomorrow and a reminder that dreams can come true.”
Desi’s fellow Co-Head of School, Seb. A, presented the riders with a cheque from Shawnigan for $30,000. As the riders left campus, they were serenaded by the students with an inspiring rendition of the Welsh hymn “Calon Lân,” a staple of the Shawnigan repertoire.
Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraising efforts!
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
