P.E.I. Parks Canada teaches camping skills to new residents

New residents of Prince Edward Island learned two crucial things on their first weekend camping trip. 

They learned how to make a campfire and how to make a s'more. 

The first time campers were part of a joint initiative of Parks Canada and the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada called the Learn to Camp program. 

Christel Mbangu and her family took part in the camping trip. They are from the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

"We thought it was going to be hard but it was pretty easy," said Mbangu.

New to the program was Parks Canada staff offering the information and instructions in both official languages. 

"For some people that couldn't get it, it was kinda nice to have someone interpret it in French," said Mbangu.

The program also offers fewer structured activities, says Mike Critchley, the acting visitor experience manager for Prince Edward Island National Park

"What we realised is an important thing is to give people time to enjoy each other's company and enjoy time outside," said Critchley. 

Critchley says the hope is new residents will make camping and enjoying the outdoors part of their life in P.E.I.