Rhema students see how far they can jump during the Fun Fair May 8.
Fun Fair raises money for graduation trip and is a good time for all
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 -- Jennifer Higgs
On a sunny May afternoon, many Rhema students can be found outside in the schoolyard playing basketball, participating in long jump and digging in dirt. And it’s not recess.

Rhema’s Grade 8 class hosted this year’s Fun Fair to raise money for their graduation trip to Ottawa. From making the signs to running the activities the students did it all, says Grade 8 teacher Steve Savoy.

"It’s actually running itself now," he says, noting that the morning took a bit more work to get the activities organized.

One of the stations is an archaeological dig. Students Emily Burton and Emma Murray created the activity, where students have to try to dig up "ancient coins." If the student is successful, he or she receives a prize ticket to choose something from the prize table.

"We were thinking about unique games to do because we didn’t want it to be a regular, run-of-the-mill Fun Fair," says Burton.

Savoy says the students have to raise their own funds for the year-end trip, and the Fun Fair is one of several events to fundraise. Another class project was a coffee house they hosted May 4 in Rhema’s gym.

The coffee house included entertainment by the class, with help from an older sibling and parent. They served coffee and desserts to guests.

Students can also do their own fundraising for the trip, and many have chosen to rake leaves and help with lawn care.

Holly Darling, Grade 8, helps at the ticket table, where masses of fellow Rhema students line-up to buy their 25 cent tickets.

She says the best part of the Fun Fair is, "being outside all day."

The trip, which runs June 20 to 22, features a variety of excursions in the nation’s capital. Students will spend one night at Carleton University residence, and another sleeping under the planes at the Aviation Museum. The students will also go to a water park, the Parliament buildings and Museum of Civilization.