Adventures in Citizenship, hosted by the Rotary Club of Ottawa for over 75 years, brings together students from across Canada for five days of learning, cultural exchange, and exploration around the theme of citizenship. Each year, our club sponsors a student to attend.
A First for Many Things
For Jayla, this was her first time at an airport, her first time flying, and her first time travelling away from her family on her own. She admitted she “almost chickened out” but described the trip as a “very big blessing”.
“My mom told me before I got on the plane that she wasn’t worried about me. That helped me a lot—if she wasn’t worried, then I didn’t need to be worried.”
Ottawa Highlights
Jayla shared stories and photos from her trip, including:
Orientation & icebreakers – meeting other students through games and activities.
Parliament – sitting in the House of Commons and hearing from parliamentarians and staff.
City tours – from statues and historic buildings to an open-top bus tour of Ottawa.
Sugar Shack – a visit across the river in Quebec, with maple taffy on snow and a traditional meal.
Talent night – students sharing music, juggling, hula hooping, and more, with “everyone cheering for everyone.”
Museums – exploring exhibits, especially Indigenous culture, at the Canadian Museum of Nature.
She also spoke warmly about making new friends, especially other students of colour, which helped her feel comfortable and connected during the week.
Lasting Impact
Reflecting on her experience, Jayla said:
“Since May I’ve come out of my shell a lot. I’ve been able to talk to people and be more confident in myself. It helped me realize I’m becoming an adult, and that I have more purpose than just the little kid things.”
She also expressed interest in studying psychology after high school so she can help others, just as her own counsellors have helped her.
When asked about the program overall, Jayla was clear:
“I want to say that I appreciate the opportunity very much. It was a very big blessing—more than I expected it to be.”
Investing in Youth
Rotary Halifax Harbour is proud to support Jayla and other young people through programs like Adventures in Citizenship, Rotary Youth Exchange, St. George’s YouthNet, and the Joe Howe Elementary Food Program and PALS. These opportunities help students build confidence, leadership, and community connections that last a lifetime.