Canada's Coolest School Trip Contest Launched

A grade 8 (secondary 2) class can win an all-expenses-paid trip to Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse national historic sites

OTTAWA, Nov. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, today announced this year's Canada's Coolest School Trip contest, which will give one class of grade 8 (secondary 2) students the opportunity to win the trip of a lifetime to visit Parks Canada places on the spectacular coast of British Columbia.

Parks Canada is partnering with Canadian Geographic Education, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Historica Canada and Nature Canada to present the contest as part of My Parks Pass, a program that promotes lasting relationships between young Canadians and Canada's treasured places. This year, Canada's Coolest School Trip contest is supported by Air Canada.

"I'm proud to announce the Canada's Coolest School Trip contest, which continues to inspire youth to forge a personal connection with Canada's nature and history," said Minister Aglukkaq. "The winning class will embark on an incredible journey to Parks Canada places near Victoria, British Columbia."

The grand prize is a four-day trip to Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse national historic sites. The prize also includes meals, accommodation and return airfare to and from Victoria for a class of up to 30 students and their chaperones. There are many other great prizes to win, including field trips and gift packages.

To enter the contest, the class must select a Parks Canada place and create a video that tells the story of its importance to Canadians, using the theme of Canada's Coolest Stories: where nature and history meet. Contest entries will be accepted online at www.myparkspass.ca until February 24, 2014. The contest is open to all grade 8 (secondary 2) classes and split classes that include grade 8 (secondary 2) students who are residing in Canada. The winning class will be announced in April 2014.

The lucky grand-prize winners will kayak the emerald waters of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and go on amazing beach adventures to observe the wildlife that make this beautiful place their home. The students will also live the life of a World War I or II soldier at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site, connect with the traditions of local First Nations, tour Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site after-dark and sleep under the stars in Parks Canada's new oTENTik camping experience.

The My Parks Pass program gives grade 8 (secondary 2) classes across Canada free access to any national park, national historic site and national marine conservation area administered by Parks Canada. Through a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites and four national marine conservation areas, Parks Canada invites Canadians to experience Canada's treasured places.

For additional information and full contest rules and conditions, please visit www.myparkspass.ca or www.monpasseportparcs.ca.

SOURCE: Parks Canada