The New Boys

John N. Smith,
1974,
27 min 20 s

Synopsis

This short documentary takes us to St. John's Cathedral Boys' School, at Selkirk, Manitoba, one of the most demanding outdoor schools in North America. As the school can’t accommodate every student wishing to enroll, boys of 13 to 15 years old are put through an initiation tougher than they have ever faced. They paddle canoes through some 500 kilometers of wilderness in 2 weeks, portaging and camping all the way, thereby learning vital outdoor lore, cooperation and self-confidence.

Commentaires

«Why can't these (now men) sue? It shouldn't matter about the time frame, they were used and abused and it appears as if these adults get off on making their young lives miserable, at least that's what I have come away thinking.» — JenniferYates, 9 Mai 2013
«I would like to know more about St. john's since my late brother Aleks attended it back in the early 70's along with other boys from Wawa. i also meet then in Fort Francis one year during the Grand Portage trip with my Dad and Betty C. Whose son Mark was also making that canoe trip. i would love to hear from others who attended school and the same time who have stories and photos to share. Thank you.» — AlexKusic, 14 Avr 2013
«I hated St. John's. Ran away umpteen times. Glad it's closed. Too bad we can't sue the bastards, parents included.» — vembapet, 8 Déc 2012
«Correction, it was the fall of 1967 not 1968.» — inroughwater, 22 Mar 2012
«I was one of these boys in the fall of 1968. I'm 59 years old now and the film crushed my heart. I don't know how but looking back we should have turned on all of them. Our new boy trip started at Grand Portage, Minnesota and ended in Fort Frances, ON. We had good weather which infuriated Headmaster Frank Weins. I was one of the bigger boys and carried box of pots, pans, and axes on portages. Frank and I made it to the end of first portage (9 miles) together. He sent me back to the start to help the others. I covered 27 miles that day and got to camp helping with the last canoe. I don't remember if I ate but I know it was dark.» — inroughwater, 22 Mar 2012