Some Park View Education Centre basketball players are getting ready for the team road trip of a lifetime.

 "November is always an exciting time in Panther country as a new basketball season is just getting underway," said coach Eric Dolliver in an October 28 e-mail.

 "This year 14 of the Panther boys are even more excited than normal, as on November 6 they will embark on a training camp unlike any other in school history. These boys, members of both the division 1 and [junior varsity] teams will spend two weeks touring, practicing and playing in Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Austria and Germany."

 The group will travel up 3,454 metres through the famous Eiger mountain to Jungfraujoch, play in a tournament and take part in two clinics, including one with professional team Union Olympija, the Slovenian champions.

 Educationally, they will visit five International Baccalaureatte sister schools in four countries and tour the Palace des Nations in Geneva - former headquarters of the League of Nations.

 "Visits to the Leonardo Da Vinci museum, Lipizzaner Stallion training centre, the natural wonder of the Postojna Caves, Venice Italy, a salt mine in Salzburg, Austria, a former concentration camp in Dachau, Germany and much more will make this an educational experience of a lifetime. "

 The players will primarily be based in Nova Gorica, Slovenia.

 "Slovenia as a nation is an infant, declaring its independence in 1990. However, the region's history begins in the late sixth century," said Mr. Dolliver.

 "While learning the culture and history of their hosts, the Panthers will very proudly share one of Canada's most important traditions. On November 11 the boys will lead a Remembrance Day ceremony in a country that does not have such a day. Special thanks go out to the Royal Canadian Legion for their support in this endeavour."

 He said the Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay communities have also shown phenomenal interest and support towards making this experience a reality for the participants.

 "This alone has taught these boys the value and meaning of community."

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 To follow their overseas adventures, check on-line at http://www.pvec.ednet.ns.ca.

posted on 11/03/09