The competition was fierce and hopes were high for the classes who participated in the amazing video competition to win Canada’s Coolest School Trip.
The students of Northside Christian School in Vanderhoof felt a surge of excitement and pride as they found out they had won one of three runner-up prizes.
Mrs. Lauze’s Gr. 7/8 class won the unique experience of having a whole national historic site to themselves for a night. They will spend the night in 1896 in the most luxurious accommodation New Caledonia had to offer...the sprawling Murray house, home of Fort St. James National Historic Site’s bed and breakfast.
Students will enjoy special period activities designed just for them, followed by dinner in the Old Fort Cafe served by costumed interpreters. After a hanging out late 1800’s style by a blazing campfire, it will be time to bunk down in the historic Murray House, home of A.C. Murray and his family who was the officer in charge of the Fort in the 1890s.
Morning may bring the sound of sheep hooves on the boardwalk or the crow of the rooster, but a hardy breakfast will wait in the warm, cozy cafe. After breakfast, students will head back home a hundred and eighteen years older!
Northside Christian School Grade 7/8’s winning video insightfully explores one the most significant moments in Canadian history, the driving of the Last Spike, which completed the country’s first trans-continental railway.
(The Last Spike celebrated 100 years on April 7th, 2014 see page 3 for more information.)
This runner-up class was one of the many Grade 8 and secondary 2 classes across the country that created amazing videos on the importance of Parks Canada places to Canadians, focusing on its natural and historical significance.
The grand prize winners, from École Antoine-Roy in Rivière-au-Renard, Quebec, won the trip of a lifetime to visit Parks Canada’s treasured places on the magnificent coast of British Columbia.
They will embark on a four-day trip in June to participate in some truly Canadian experiences. They will go whale watching and kayaking on the emerald waters of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, live the life of a soldier of the First or Second World War 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. What a way to end the school year!
“Thank you to all the students and teachers who put the time and effort into creating these fantastic videos. Your creativity has helped shine a light on our natural and historical treasures and showed the importance of protecting and visiting these beautiful places,” said Leona Aglukkaq, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
Canada’s Coolest School Trip is a contest offered through the My Parks Pass program. My Parks Pass is a collaborative program between Parks Canada, Canadian Geographic Education, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Nature Canada and Historica Canada. The program invites youth to learn about Canada’s natural and cultural heritage and experience Parks Canada places first-hand.
The contest was open to all Grade 8 and secondary 2 classes in Canada and ran from October 2013 to February 2014.
There were a total of 38 videos submitted. A panel of judges selected the winning entry from the ten videos that received the most public votes online.