Sharing Canadian Experiences

Gales of laughter, smiles of delight, gazes of wonder and voices joined in song are being heard at national parks and historic sites across the country. Parks Canada is welcoming students with programs that introduce them to our treasured national parks and shared history through the places that Parks Canada protects and presents.

This article appears courtesy of Experiences, a Parks Canada series.

Two Successful and Fun Programs Standout

No camping gear? No car? No problem. Together with its partners, Parks Canada makes sure that all the needs of the students are met so that the next generation of Canadians – especially those who might not otherwise have had the opportunity – get to experience the best of our land and our history.

In The West: Stars and Marshmallows in the Rockies

Jasper National Park hosts programs in collaboration with Outward Bound that introduce students to activities including overnight camping, rock climbing, hiking and canoeing on fabled Lake Edith. With financial assistance from The Calgary Foundation and contributions of gear, leaders and use of the Palisades Stewardship Education Centre as base camp from Parks Canada, these jointly-produced programs build lasting memories for approximately 3,000 students each year!

Each night ends around a campfire, a timeless Canadian tradition, where many students look up at the star-filled night sky for the very first time. They return home with new friends, great stories, and a new appreciation for national parks.

In The East: Making History with The Fur Trade

A program launched at The Fur Trade At Lachine National Historic Site in Montreal by Parks Canada and the McCord Museum of Canadian History, has been so successful that Quebec's Ministry of Education runs a lottery to select participating schools. With the life of a real fur trader as a focus, grades 3 and 4 students interview family and friends to create an account of their own personal history.

All participating schools end the program sharing their stories with one another, thereby adding their own experiences to the ongoing story and history of Canada.

A Memorable Moment for Everyone

Perhaps their parents don’t camp, perhaps they didn’t know about the historic site, or perhaps their destination seems too far away…whatever the reason, programs like those showcased here ensure that all students feel the wonder of participating in quintessential Canadian experiences with their peers.