On Monday (July 12), more than 35 international students from 27 different countries stopped in Squamish on Day 12 of their 30-day trip across Canada to help beautify the community.
As part of the Rotary International Youth Exchange program, the students helped decorate a chainlink fence along Cleveland Avenue. with painted cutouts of different animals that represent different aspects of the environment of Squamish.
The outing was co-organized by the Squamish Rotary Club and Communities in Bloom, a community-oriented project that makes a dedicated effort to improve the visual appeal of public, commercial and private spaces in neighborhoods.
Part of the Communities in Bloom project is to enhance the community through various art projects for all to enjoy.
Having the international students on hand to help was a perfect fit.
"We wanted to involve as many people as possible," said Communities in Bloom co-ordinator Maya Charnell. "This is our art project as part of Communities in Bloom, and we're glad that these students have helped us make Squamish even more beautiful."
The students helped hang hundreds of wooden animal cut-outs that were painted by students at Squamish Elementary and visitors to the North Vancouver Outdoor School's open house in June. Eagles, owls, fish, seagulls, bears and a few other non-animal related figures were hung all along the fence.
The students then boarded the bus and began the journey back east to Ontario.
