November 10, 2011 (Ottawa) – Ian Davidson, Nature Canada’s Executive Director, joined Environment Minister Peter Kent today to launch Canada’s Coolest School Trip Contest, a part of the My Parks Pass program that will help foster lasting relationships between young Canadians and Canada’s treasured places.

“Few countries have been as profoundly shaped by nature as Canada,” said Davidson. “Canada’s parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas provide a vital link to our shared history and culture, and it’s important our youth have the chance to experience them.”

In collaboration with the Historica-Dominion Institute, Brewster Travel Canada, Banff Lake Louise Tourism and Nature Canada, Parks Canada is offering as grand prize, a 4-day, 3-night round trip to Banff National Park for the winning Canadian Grade 8/Secondary 2 class. The prize includes meals, accommodations and return airfare to and from Calgary on board Air Canada for a class of up to 30 students and 10 chaperones. To win, the class must submit a video that re-creates a significant Canadian moment related to a national park, national marine conservation area, or national historic site administered by Parks Canada (please see www.pc.gc.ca for a complete list of Parks Canada places).

The winning class will be welcomed by the Banff Community High School Grade 8 students and they will experience the ultimate Canadian Rockies’ adventure packed with exciting activities, including a trip to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola, storytelling while cruising on Banff Lake, and sightseeing at some of the most beautiful places in the Mountain Parks. They will also visit the renowned Columbia Icefield, where the winning class will sleep over at the Glacier View Inn and venture onto the Athabasca Glacier onboard a massive Ice Explorer on the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure.

Contest entries will be accepted online at the contest websites, www.myparkspass.ca and www.monpasseportparcs.com, until January 8, 2012. A panel of judges will select the winning entry from the top ten class videos that received the most votes on the My Parks Pass website. The Contest is open to all Grade 8 and Secondary 2 classes and split classes containing Grade 8/Secondary 2 students who are residing in any of Canada’s provinces and territories. The winning class will be announced in February 2012.

The My Parks Pass initiative grants Grade 8 / Secondary 2 students across Canada free access for one full year to any of Parks Canada’s parks and sites, including free of charge entry for class visits. The “My Parks Pass” also entitles families to receive an instant discount on daily family or group passes, on annual national park or national historic site passes, or a Parks Canada Discovery Pass.

Nature Canada seeks to foster a better understanding of nature and the role Canadians can play in protecting it. Our programs and outreach materials raise awareness of issues, provide tools and sound advice, and provide access for people to play a part in conserving Canada’s natural heritage, and connect with the natural world.

Parks Canada works to ensure Canada’s historic and natural heritage is protected and, through a network of 43 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas, invites Canadians and people around the world to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery at our treasured natural and historic places.

For additional information and for the full contest rules and conditions, please see www.myparkspass.ca or www.monpasseportparcs.com.

Information:
Office of the Minister
of the Environment
819-997-1441

Media Relations
Parks Canada
819-953-8371

Katherine Lim
Acting Manager, Outreach and Engagement
Nature Canada
613-562-4088 ext. 247