In addition to those things that each year’s group of students decides to do on its own, student life at Augustine College revolves around the following regular events.
COMMUNITY DINNER
One
night a week the student body shares a meal prepared by the Resident
Advisor, joined occasionally by faculty and guests – a time for
fellowship, conversation, and fun.
WORSHIP
A
weekly Chapel service is conducted at the College by the Reverend Doug
Hayman. On Sundays students worship at churches of their own choosing
in Ottawa. Some students find a single church home while others use the
year to explore a variety of denominations. Local students (students in
the current year as well as College alumni) often invite students
arriving from out of town to attend their churches.
The
nearby University of Ottawa has an active InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship chapter, which Augustine students are welcome to attend.
RESTLESS HEARTS CAFÉ
Typically
held around February 14, this pot pourri of entertainment includes
readings, music, recitations, and lampoonery (sometimes harpoonery)
presented by the students, faculty, and staff of the College.
THE OTTAWA SYMPHONY
Tickets to four concerts by the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra are provided for all students by a generous benefactor.
EVENINGS/MOVIE NIGHTS AT PROFESSORS’ HOMES
During the year professors and their families have invited the students over for dinner and debate, conversation and slides, music, movies, and laughter.
HYMN SING
Each
November students and faculty gather in the contemplative and beautiful
setting of St. Barnabas’ Church for an evening of worship and
contemplation. Music complemented by meditations on a theme, with
Scripture readings and reflections by faculty, staff, and students of
the College, have made every Hymn Sing a wonderful and memorable
evening of worship.
SKATING ON THE CANAL
Ottawa
is known for the Rideau Canal (an easy walk from the College), which,
among other things, is used in winter as a skating rink. At about 8 km
(over 3 miles) of ice, the Canal is the World’s Longest Skating
Rink.
SPORTS
Depending
on interest, different pick-up sports are played. Ultimate frisbee was
the game of choice one year; street football another, while
in yet another year ping-pong madness reigned.
CYCLING
Ottawa
is a city of bicycle paths, which many citizens choose over cars.
Cycling is both a good warm-weather pastime and a good way to commute
around Ottawa. There are paths along both sides of the Canal and the
nearby Ottawa and Rideau rivers. The Gatineau Hills across the Ottawa
River are also an excellent cycling destination (in years past there
have been pre-church rides on Sunday to the highest point of the
Hills and back - approximately 40 km or 18 miles).
HIKING AND SPELUNKING
The Gatineau Hills also have interesting caves and the Lusk Caves have been a destination for hikes. In fall the caves sport great views and sections of semi-submersed paths which are great fun to navigate (don’t forget a change of clothes, especially socks).