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Self-improvement seminar aids student travel

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Here is the article from http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2012-01-22/article-2871252/Self-improvement-seminar-aids-student-travel/1

SUMMERSIDE – A unique fundraiser aimed at helping participants make a great first impression will also help local students broaden their horizons.

Proceeds from “Building a Better Brand: What Do Your Clothes Say About You” will help offset costs for two different local student travel groups – one heading to the South Pacific this March on for an 18-day eco-tour and the second group departing in March 2013 for 13 days in Ecuador where students will help build a school.

Although not a school-organized trip, the majority of the youth participating in the trips are students at Three Oaks Senior High School, said Cara DeCoste, a chaperone and organizer for the trip to Ecuador.

She took part in a “voluntour” to Ecuador last year with 15 students and fellow teacher and chaperone Tammy Craig where the group helped build schools.

“We spent several days on a build site where they had us doing different jobs. We were helping them with moving some of the dirt, cutting rebar, putting stones on a building,” said DeCoste. “It was very interesting. My favourite part of the trip was actually discussing with the students the different aspects of what they saw and what that meant to them.”

The students, from grades 9 through 12, reflected at the end each day on what they did and saw and the impact on them.

“Through reading those things and through what the guides did for us … the level of respect for what they have greatly increased,” said DeCoste. “They no longer want to waste as much as they have in the past. They’ve learned about the value of travel. They want to have opportunities like this again.”

Twelve students are signed on for the March 2013 trip. There’s room for 22.

But the cost is hefty, estimated at $4,500 per person. Through fundraising, DeCoste hopes $1,500 to $2,000 of each participant’s cost will be covered.

Kelly Drummond is one of the chaperones on the South Pacific trip and is helping plan the fundraiser at Centre Belle Alliance.

“It’s an opportunity for kids to be able to go and travel and learn about different countries and learn about different cultures and help them really with their decision making on where they go form here, what do they want to do with their lives,” said Drummond, whose daughter Rebecca is going on the trip.

The group departs March 16 and will spend five days in Hawaii, five days in New Zealand and eight days in Australia.

They’ll visit Pearl Harbour, learn about ecological features of each locale, visit the hot springs in New Zealand, a sheep farm and learn about different ecosystems and animals in Australia, the rainforests and visit the Great Barrier Reef.

“It’s really a key time in life. When you come from such a small province it is important to give kids an opportunity to see what else is available out there,” said Drummond. “What it does is brings back with them a whole level of excitement and possibilities of where to go in the future.”

ABOUT THE FUNDRAISER

Coming up with a unique fundraiser that captures the imagination and the dollar isn’t always easy, admitted Kelly Drummond.

The mother has been helping organize fundraisers for various groups her children have been involved with over the years and now is helping put together one of the more unique fundraising events in her repertoire.

“Building a Better Brand: What Do Your Clothes Say About You” takes place Feb. 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Centre Belle Alliance in Summerside with Margaret Gallant of Fresh Image 360.

Proceeds will help two student travel groups cover costs of upcoming trips.

“There are so many different organizations that are fundraising so you always try to come up with new concepts and things where people are really getting value for what they’re participating in.”

With resolutions to lose weight and live healthier a session on body image, style, makeup and how to accessorize seemed to be a perfect way to get people to dig into their pockets and help.

“It’s not specific to women. The type of information she provides is beneficial to all age groups. It’s really about how to de-clutter your life, really how to represent yourself in the best way,” said Drummond. “She gives fashion tips on what’s in, what’s not, what you should wear and what you shouldn’t wear, looking at different body types and stuff. It’s something fun that we can also get some of our businesses involved with in the community as well.”

Various vendors will be on hand with new products and tips, including Simply For Life, Arbonne, Classy Diva Designs and Lifestyles Hair Spa.