Living The North
Round Square is an internationally diverse network of 200 like-minded schools in 50 countries on six continents that connect and collaborate to offer world-class programmes and experiences, developing global competence, character and confidence in our students. Round Square schools are like-minded in their shared understanding of the link between character education and academic success. Round Square network offers exchanges, service trips and Conferences to engage students in activities that develop global citizenship.
Round Square schools share a commitment to character education and experiential learning built around six themes – our IDEALS – International Understanding, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership and Service.
Delegates will discover what it means to live in winter weather and enjoy experiences on ice and snow. They will learn about the North and Canada’s Arctic from the perspective of indigenous, political, and environmental voices. Keynote speakers will spark intriguing and engaging discussions about climate change, Arctic sovereignty and the shared stewardship of a fragile ecosystem with exceptional biodiversity. The conference features a variety of winter sports, and activities that will bring the community together. Ashbury families will billet our guests and delegates can look forward to unique activities like a 2-night stay at the Chateau Montebello resort, an Ottawa Senators hockey game, a snow-themed dance and more. The conference will be held over six days and overlaps with Ashbury’s winter carnival and Ottawa’s Winterlude festival.
This is Ashbury’s opportunity to welcome international student delegates to Ottawa to experience winter. We will welcome delegates from Australia, Colombia, Canada, USA, Kenya and Romania and we will learn more about “Living the North” together.
February 13th-19th, 2023

Schedule for Winter Round Square Conference
Day 1: Monday, February 13 | Arrival Day At Ashbury College
Timings | Activites |
---|---|
12:30 to 15:00 | • Registration |
• Meet Baraza Group and Leaders | |
• Workshops | |
17:00 | • Student Delegates meet Host Families and Depart |
Day 2: Tuesday, February 14 | Activities at Ashbury College
Timings | Activites |
---|---|
7:30 to 8:15 | • Morning Arrival at Ashbury College (bring outdoor gear) |
8:15 | • Delegates Shadow Student Classes |
9:00 to 10:30 | • Special Full-School Assembly with Keynote Speaker: Sheila Watt Cloutier |
• Baraza Discussion | |
11:40 to 12:40 | • Arctic Perspectives Panel: Kaya Hipfner, Senator Margaret Anderson, Natan Obed, Hanne Eskjaer, Geoff Green |
• Lunch | |
• Baraza Discussion | |
14:00 to 15:15 | • Winter Carnival Activities |
15:30 | • Student Delegates depart with Host Families* |
*Optional Activities for Host Families and Delegates || Camp Fortune
Day 3: Wednesday, February 15 | Arrival Day at Chateau Montebello
Timings | Activites |
---|---|
8:30 to 9:00 | • Morning Arrival at Ashbury College |
9:30 to 11:00 | • Guest Speaker: Adam Shoalts |
11:15 to 12:00 | • Baraza Discussion |
12:00 to 13:30 | • Food Truck Lunch – Outside, near Matthews House/Gillin House |
12:00 to 13:30 | • Dog Sledding Activity on Campus |
14:00 | • Depart for Chateau Montebello |
15:30 | • Baraza Meeting |
18:00 to 19:30 | • Dinner |
19:30 to 22:00 | • Indigenous Storyteller |
Day 4: Thursday, February 16 | Adventure at Chateau Montebello
Timings | Activites |
---|---|
7:00 to 10:00 | • Continental Breakfast |
10:00 to 12:30 | • Parc Omega |
12:30 to 13:30 | • Lunch |
13:30 to 15:30 | • Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, curling and tubing |
16:00 | • Baraza Meeting |
18:30 to 19:30 | • Sugar-shack Buffet Dinner |
19:30 to 21:00 | • Special Presentation |
21:00 to 22:00 | • Free Time |
Day 5: Friday, February 17 | Departure for Ashbury College
Timings | Activites |
---|---|
7:00 to 10:00 | • Continental Breakfast |
10:00 | • Departure |
11:15 – 12:00 | • Indigenous Lunch at Ashbury College |
12:00 to 12:45 | • Guest Speaker: Waneek Horn-Miller |
13:00 to 15:00 | • Service and Activity Rotations |
15:30 | • Depart with Host Families |
19:00 to 22:30 | • Ottawa Senators Hockey Game* |
*We encourage all to attend! For tickets contact Eliza Blanchi, eliza.bianchi@ashbury.ca
Day 6: Saturday, February 18 | Winterlude Day and Snowball Dance
Timings | Activites |
---|---|
13:00 to 15:00 | • Meet-up Station by the Rideau Canal for Refreshments |
18:00 to 20:00 | • Ashbury College for Closing Dinner |
20:00 to 21:30 | • Snowball Dance |
21:30 to 22:00 | • Departure – Student Delegates with Host Families |
Day 7: Sunday, February 19 | Departure Day
Timings | Activites |
---|---|
9:00 | • Meet at Ashbury College |
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