With an intrepid group of 8 to 11 year olds, we set off into our community to interview employees at local businesses and organizations and learn about the history and community that is present in our neighbourhood.

One of the most exciting things about this camp was the connections that students were able to make between different stories from people they met throughout their travels. At Folk Art Interiors, we learned how Taylor was turning a very broken boudoir that had fallen off a truck into an entertainment cabinet. His message about repurposing and reclaiming wood was picked up again at Jericho Shoe Repair, where Brian told us that one of his favourite things about the neighbourhood is helping environmentally conscious people repair their shoes rather than throw them out.

At Simply French, Isabelle told us that her passion for art meant that she exhibited and sold the work of local artists from her cafe without charging commission. Across the street, Zoe at Coco Nymph told us that the piano displaying the chocolates represented her boss’s love of music. It is used after hours to showcase local talent.

At Hartley and Marks the students made a connection between the publisher’s commitment to giving jobs to recent immigrants and the multicultural staff at Grounds for Coffee (9 different accents!) Both Andrea at West Point Grey Cycles and Monique at Moksha Yoga said their favourite part of their jobs was helping people who had never seen themselves as fit become confident in their athletic abilities.

At the Hastings Mill Store Museum we explored the oldest building in Vancouver and were enchanted by the curiosities we found there (including a whale’s eardrum!) At Rufus’ Guitar Shop we were shown a musical curiosity– a backwards guitar built during a dispute between a guitar manufacturer and a distributor. The group also witnessed some of the neighbourhood’s generosity. At Jericho Base, Master Corporal Costillo took us into his own quarters, while at Mayhew Sherwood, Will gave each member of the group an African violet.

When we began the camp we asked “What makes a community?” and by the end we were able to answer. It’s the connections between people, their friendliness and generosity. It’s the history of the place and the stories of its inhabitants.

Special Thanks to Our Neighbours

Almond Park (where we learned about Harry Almond)
Talyor at Folk Art Interiors
Isabelle at Simply French
Scott and Laura at Hartley and Marks Publishers
Danielle at Grounds for Coffee
Blaine, Sarah and Jenny at Rufus’ Guitar Shop
Zoe at Coco Nymph
Andrea at West Point Cycles
Monique at Moksha Yoga
Master Corporal Otto Costillo at Jericho Base
Brian and Family at Jericho Shoe Repair
Lois at Hastings Mill Store Museum
Will, Vicky and Ollie at Mayhew Sherwood Florist