Vic Trip Chronicles!

28 September 2025Fiona C, Hope ‘26

There’s something special about piling onto buses with your housemates, buzzing with excitement for a day away from schoolwork and the usual Sunday routine in Mill Bay. The annual Vic Trip is a famous day where all of us get to go to Downtown Victoria.

For the journey to Victoria, the sister and brother houses came together in a way that felt different from a normal school day. Laughter bounced from row to row as Tolani S, Privett ‘26 brought the hype to the bus by bringing a speaker. A majority of the bus sang along to “Cheerleader” by OMI as the bus ride through the Brentwood gates began.

Once we arrived in Victoria, we gathered into our small groups and headed off to explore whether it was to sightsee, shop, or sit down to enjoy the sunny weather next to the pier. The streets of downtown were alive with shops, boutiques, and little bookstores that numerous students lunged at, and it wasn’t long before shopping bags started to fill up. Rachelle S, Hope ‘27, recalled, “BEAT recommended several vintage thrift stores, which inspired multiple students and me to check them out!”

It wouldn’t be a successful Vic Trip without good food, and Victoria did not disappoint. Some groups sat down at cozy cafes for sandwiches and soup, while others sought out pho or Korean BBQ. William L, Ellis ‘26 shared his experience with the Ellis boys and describes their adventures, “It genuinely felt good walking around downtown with my friends, and getting to discover new things on each street.” The best part of the day simply was being together outside the usual classroom walls, roaming the streets of the pier, or exploring Chinatown; there was a sense that this was more than just a school event: it was a memory in the making.

By the time we checked in for our time to go home, scanning the QR code for Reach had become a simple routine. Soon, buses filled with people’s arms full of shopping bags, posters, vinyls, and bellies full of food. Students lounged in their seats, ready to take naps as we headed back to the campus. Lily A, Hope ‘26, exclaimed, “All I really wanted was a burrito. God Bless Vic Trip for allowing me to have this delectable meal!”

This would not have been possible without the help of the many staff and BFAs who came out on a Sunday to escort and ensure the safety of 500 students. A special and huge thank you to all of the Houseparents and BFAs, and of course, Mr. Neufeld’s prized possession: the Reach App. This made life a lot easier for the staff and for us to be able to conveniently scan a QR code to sign in.

Although our bank accounts may be significantly lower, this was an amazing and successful event once again!

Fiona C, Hope ‘26

Where Students Choose To Be