Newcomers learn the ropes of camping at Elk Island National Park

NorQuest students are seen at an educational camping session at Elk Island National Park on July 8, 2026 (Curtis Goodrum/CTV News Edmonton)

Dozens of newcomers from Norquest College were at Elk Island National Park on Wednesday to learn the ropes of camping.

Camping is a novel experience for many of the students in the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program, said community connections advisor Natalia Jimenez.

“Like anybody, when you travel to a new country, you have this idea of what a country looks like, what they do,” she explained. “We bring them here and they can actually connect that experience.”

Taught by Parks Canada experts, the students learned how to build a tent, start and tend a campfire safely, be bear aware, and prepare s’mores.

“The students feel very vulnerable. One of their biggest barriers is they are concerned about things they don’t know,” said Jimenez. “For a lot of them, they’re in awe of Canada, its beauty, the national parks.”

One student said he was proud to have learned some of the skills taught Wednesday so he can enjoy the parks safely on his own and with friends.

“I like Canada life because we have a lot of lakes, the nature is very beautiful,” said Foognidoe Bakarisuru. “A lot of people come to Canada, it’s very, very important for our life.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Curtis Goodrum