8 minutes

Weather reports here in Quebec are a little different....We learn about any expected snow, are given a predicted temperature scale (today, -28 Celcius low, or -18 Farenheit) and then, we are given a time frame. Today is "eight minutes." That is, you have eight minutes outside before your exposed flesh will be irrevocably frostbitten. This, to me, means looking at my watch before leaving the house and making sure I am back indoors in less than five minutes, just to be safe. However, I was told this morning by a Canadien friend that this is more of a guideline. "As long as your skin stays in the pale white stage, and doesn't start fringing blue," she says, "Then you are ok." I suppose this is good to know, not that we'll be testing it.

It is another winter camp weekend, and today 150 teenagers, ages 13-17, will be hitting our slopes. (hopefully for no longer than 8 minutes at a time!)