Day 8 - The Voyage Home

Breakfast call was early for the final day, 7:15am, since we needed to take all our luggage down and try to beat the rush for the elevators before many of the other departing groups got ready to go. Everyone (well, nearly everyone, not that we want to single out Calvin or anything) had packed up the night before, and so after the luggage and projects went down, it was off to breakfast. Then there was some time to pass talking outside (sun! warmth!), and also a few last games of foosball in the lounge, loosely organized into a "championship" by Adrian, though I don't think anyone remembers who won.





Our bus arrived and we loaded as soon as the Niagara team was on board, since the bus will head down to there after the Hamilton drop-off. A few last-minute packing challenges since the bus they sent was a smaller one, with less luggage space than the one we arrived with. Some careful arranging of the baggage by the CWSF volunteers and we were soon ready to go.



Not much traffic, so the trip was quick, with only an occasional "bottles of beer on the wall" song towards the end... then arrival at the Dofasco parking lot, with a much sunnier welcome than when we left. Oh, and bagpipes too! (Well, at least the practice session of a drum and bagpipe marching band.)

In no time the kids were off the bus, some happy welcomes by families and some sad goodbyes to new friends, and then we all went off in our different directions for the long weekend. (I was too busy saying my own goodbyes to take pictures!)


The Final Words for 2011...

Thank you to everyone following the blog and keeping up with the progress of these great kids. And there are lots of other thanks - the Canada Wide Science Fair Host Committee and organizers, who kept people moving even with the challenges of being in such a big city, and worked hard on the many activities for everybody. Thanks also to the very many BASEF volunteers that work hard all year to make our regional fair and the trips to Canada-Wide possible. Thanks to the BASEF sponsors that making sending these projects possible. Thanks to all the Finalists from all over Canada that helped to make this week memorable - over 500 smart, talented, respectful, and enthusiastic students from every part of the country.

And from me (George) a thank you to my fellow "Delegates", Cathy, Allison, and Dan, who did an absolutely great job in keeping things for our team moving along, and even letting me miss a meeting or two...

Yet (and it should be no suprise) the biggest "Thank You!" goes to the Team BASEF kids - you all made this week fun, memorable, and a great experience. On top of all the hard work and effort everyone put in to get to Canada Wide, you all really showed the respect, talent, humour, and smarts that make you all such amazing young men and women. I was priveledged to be able to share this week with you, and I hope to see many of you again!
- George.