Proudly presented by the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Canada Day Challenge invites youth between 8 and 18 years old (who live in Canada) to express their pride in being Canadian. by submitting an entry inspired by the theme CANADA: STRONG AND FREE.
Enter the contest in the following categories:
-DRAW IT! (submit a poster design)
-SNAP IT! (submit digital photographs)
-WRITE IT! (submit a piece of creative writing)
Participation can be through schools, clubs, associations, or individual interest!
This year, we also encourage students to learn more about the defining moments that helped to shape our country. For example, in 2014, Canada will mark the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences. These two conferences laid the foundations for Confederation in 1867 and what would eventually become Canada.
Prizes:
Winners from across Canada will be selected for a chance to win great prizes from our partners, including iPad minis and more! Winning entries will also be displayed at the Canadian Museum of Civilization from June to September 2014.
Plus, our partner, Parks Canada, will provide all three national winners (one from each category) with an all-expenses paid grand prize trip for two to Ottawa to visit Canada’s national institutions and to celebrate Canada Day 2014 on Parliament Hill, as well as visit exciting Parks Canada sites in the region.
Check out pictures from last year's grand prize trip online! It was an unforgettable time for our national winners. They were given VIP access to exciting places and they got to meet some of Canada's most inspiring personalities, including the Governor General of Canada, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, and singer Marie Mai! On July 1st, they were treated to VIP seating for both the Canada Day Noon Show and the iconic Evening Show and fireworks display.
And, there’s more! One lucky winner* in the Write It! category will be invited to spend a week in Ottawa with our partner, Encounters with Canada, Canada’s largest youth forum, to learn about Canadian institutions, explore exciting career options, develop their civic leadership skills and live an extraordinary bilingual experience! (*For participants between the ages of 14 and 17 only.)
The Canada Day Challenge is open now and will accept submissions until National Flag Day, February 15, 2014.
Please visit our website at www.challenge.pch.gc.ca to learn more. If you would like to order Canada Day Challenge promotional materials, please send us an email with your mailing address to challenge@pch.gc.ca.
Best of luck to all who participate!
The Canada Day Challenge Team
