From Kingston to Ottawa and Back Again! The Sports SHSM Trip
- thearchangelarchiv
- Nov 20
- 2 min read
By: Kalhi Nivins
Students in the Sports Specialist High Skills Major (Sports SHSM) program recently traveled to Ottawa for a three-day experiential learning trip filled with post-secondary exploration, hands-on industry learning, and live professional sports.
The trip began with an early morning departure from St. Michael Catholic Secondary School. After a brief stop along the way, the group arrived in Kingston for a guided tour of Queen’s University. Students explored key areas of the campus and learned about programs connected to sports, health, and human performance. From there, the group continued on to Ottawa, stopping for dinner at East Side Mario’s before checking into the Holiday Inn for the evening.
The following morning began with breakfast at the hotel before heading to the University of Ottawa for a campus tour. Students walked through the downtown campus, viewing academic and student-life spaces, and learning about various programs that align with sports-related pathways. After lunch, the group traveled to the Canadian Tire Centre for the Ottawa Senators’ SHSM Reach Ahead event. This included a behind-the-scenes tour of the arena and a seminar featuring professionals from the Ottawa Senators organization. Students heard from staff working in areas such as team operations, marketing, athletic performance, partnerships, and event management, gaining valuable insight into the wide range of careers within the sports industry.
After returning to the hotel to get ready, students made their way back to the Canadian Tire Centre for the evening’s main event: the Ottawa Senators vs. Dallas Stars hockey game. Experiencing the energy of a live NHL matchup after learning about behind-the-scenes operations helped bring their industry seminar to life in a meaningful way.
The final morning of the trip included breakfast, packing up, and traveling to Carleton University for another guided tour. Students explored the campus and viewed facilities connected to academics, recreation, and student life. With three university tours complete, the group began the journey back to Bolton, arriving at St. Michael later that afternoon.
Overall, the Sports SHSM Ottawa trip offered students a valuable combination of learning, exploration, and real-world exposure to the sports industry. Between touring three major universities, connecting classroom learning to professional settings, and experiencing an NHL game in person, students returned with a broader perspective on the opportunities available to them. The trip sparked new interests, encouraged future planning, and gave students a deeper appreciation for the many pathways they can pursue within the world of sports.
