An unsolicited email from an Adventurer to The Rotary Club of Ottawa (We love this stuff)

 Hi, my name is Laura Hayes, and I was one of the 13 New Brunswick students chosen to participate in the Rotary Adventure.

 Heading to the airport, I had no idea what was ahead of me. I held firmly in my hand a letter with my host family's names, and a zest for adventure in my heart. At the airport, I met four other Maritimers (from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) who were preparing for the same journey as myself. I was surprised by how open and excited they were to participate as well. One of the student I met was going to be my roommate for the week. We had never met but hit it off immediately, requesting plane tickets adjacent so we could get to know each other.

As we connected to our flight in Montreal, our group had created even more of a following. By the time we reached Ottawa there was about 15 of us flying together, excitedly awaiting the commencement to our journey.

 My week in Ottawa taught me many things. I learnt a lot about our government, the city of Ottawa, and how proud I am to be a Canadian citizen and how lucky we all are. But primarily, I realized how many great people are out there, and how enriching it is to share such a tremendous experience with complete strangers, and walk away with a bind of friendship so strong, it's almost like we have all known each other forever.

There we're approximately 220 teenagers at the Rotary conference. In four days, I did meet most of the, but I walked away with about 25 new friends, 10 close ones, and some knowledge that will stay with me forever. I would like to share with you the main thing I took away, to encourage others to do what I have done:

            -Do not be afraid. The world is full of magical experiences, if only you let yourself experience them. As teenagers, we live in a society where we are influenced by our peers.

-Do not let them hold you back because some things you must do on your own, and you will not regret it. Not only will you learn a lot about others, you will learn even more about yourself and what you represent. 

After coming home from Ottawa, I felt a newfound sense of freedom. Currently I'm in my Grade 12 year in high school, preparing to fill out university applications. I have applied to the House of Commons Page Program for next fall. Many people ask me why I would dream of going so far away. I tell them that I know now that life has no boundaries, and the decisions I make should be for me, and not what my parents want, or where my friends are going. I have learned to follow my heart.

 Laura Hayes

Adventurers Laura and Julie

visiting RCMP Headquarters.