Canada's Largest Youth Forum
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Canada’s largest youth forum 2012- 2013 Message from the Director The change I have already created and the burning passion I live General with everyday, I owe it all to Encounters with Canada. Taylor Quinn from Vancouver, BC, an EWC alumnus (2009), a social activist and motivational speaker who regularly volunteers in Africa to end global poverty, one child at a time. Encounters with Canada helps young people become knowledgeable and engaged Canadian citizens. Participants discover first-hand their country’s political governance and cultural heritage through visits to iconic institutions such as Parliament, national museums, historic landmarks and taking part in a series of interactive modules, with a focus on contemporary issues such as diversity, linguistic duality, peace and youth engagement. Encounters with Canada brings together students with common interests and enthusiasm to experience unique career options. Participating in one of our twelve weekly themes through a series of hands-on activities, interactive presentations and unique workshops Our mascot Lola assists young teens in gaining valuable insights into their potential future careers. Encounters with Canada helps youth acquire the tools 2012 marks the 30th anniversary of Encounters with Canada – our country’s and know-how to reach their potential. Participants develop largest youth forum. valuable leadership and employment skills, including teamwork, self-discipline, reliability, and a strong work ethic. This allows There is nothing more rewarding and gratifying to an educator than to see participants to flourish and push their own limits. young students become the very best they can be. At Encounters with Canada, we encourage teens to aim higher, to push harder and farther than they ever thought they could - to reach their potential. Week after week, I receive moving testimonials from both current participants and our alumni telling me how life-changing their time at Encounters has been. Participants make new discoveries, meet dynamic people, exchange ideas through exclusive workshops, presentations, and hands-on activities and have the opportunity to explore potential career options - plus they gain a greater appreciation of their country and become more informed and engaged citizens. Most important of all, they meet other young Canadians from across our land, forging enduring friendships that will last a lifetime. To discover more about our program, please read this brochure; for a more For more information, visit in-depth and personal view, check out our video in the Promo section of encounters-rencontres.ca our website (encounters-rencontres.ca). or As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, I invite students and teachers, alike, call: 1-800-361-0419 to discover Encounters with Canada for themselves - and become part of our next 30 years of memories. Please register today! Linda Brunet Encounters with Canada is supported in part by Director General Mikayla Petrie, Kelly’s Cross, PEI “It is the right amount of education mixed with fun. I enjoyed every minute of it.” Encounters with Canada is a one-of-a-kind citizenship and youth leadership experience A week of unique that is truly affordable! Thanks to Exchanges Canada, a program of the Department of experiences Canadian Heritage and our major financial partner, all transportation costs (plane, train, bus) ARE ENTIRELY FREE from anywhere in Canada! — a lifetime of Registration fees include lodging, all meals, most planned activities and local transportation - for only $675 per participant! Some provincial and memories territorial ministries of education also offer financial subsidies to reduce their students’ registration fees. More information is available from your regional coordinator or on the Encounters with Canada website. To be eligible, the student must be: Canada’s largest youth forum presents a unique opportunity for high school students from across Canada to spend a week in Ottawa, expanding their knowledge of Canada’s culture and heritage, exploring potential career options and developing new skills. To be eligible, the student must be: Every week, Encounters with Canada (EWC) hosts over 130 dynamic young people aged 14 to 17 years, who travel to the Terry Fox Canadian • Between 14 and 17 years old Youth Centre, forming a mini-Canada representation and taking part in this amazing bilingual adventure. • Enrolled in an educational institution recognized by the Ministry of Education • A Canadian citizen or landed immigrant To register, contact your EWC regional coordinator or school guidance counsellor for an access code today! Visit encounters-rencontres.ca to find out more about how you can register for this once-in-a lifetime experience! How affordable is EWC? Today there are many travel opportunities for students; however Students have a choice of one of 12 career-themed weeks, offered at none match the value of Encounters various times over a 26-week period. Some sessions focus on broadening with Canada. Our dynamic team the knowledge and understanding of Canadian culture, heritage and of dedicated staff ensure that the political institutions. Others delve more deeply into the weekly theme Encounters with Canada experience through interactive presentations, workshops, visits and meeting is safe, unique and superior to any professionals and specialists, who provide a unique perspective of that other travel opportunity that exists. particular career. This potent combination brings Canadian history alive, while giving teens a one-of-a-kind insight into their potential future careers. Participants connect with each other throughout the EWC program, strengthening friendships and creating linkages across the country. Together they go to the theatre, visit national museums, attend EWC Other trips uniquely Canadian events and special ceremonies, and/or interact with politicians, musicians, ecologists, authors, police officers, and other Travel $ 810 Canadian leaders. As our participants get to know one another, they also develop a strong Canadian identity and a pride in their country. Meals $ 500 Accommodation $ 400 Each week concludes with a Friday-night banquet, one last opportunity for participants to be with their newly found friends made during a Programming $ 900 jam-packed week of activities. Participants return home with a stronger Totals $ 675 - $ 2610 sense of community and an increased desire to do their share. all inclusive Law Youth Participants visit the Supreme Court of Canada, an Ottawa Jail Hostel and a police department, leaders in action! among others, as well as having the opportunity to take part in a mock trial. Lawyers come Our program runs from mid-September to early December and from throughout the week to help prepare and assist late January to early May. Students may choose one from among our the participants in their roles as lawyers, court 12 popular career-oriented themes, depending on their interests. clerks, witnesses and the jury. The presence of Throughout the week, participants enjoy a multitude of activities: legal professionals lends an aura of authenticity Parliament and museum visits, a guided tour of the National Capital to the mock trial case, where everyone gets to Region, cultural events, as well as theme-related pursuits. play an active role. Ecology & Sports & Fitness Environment The promotion of fitness as part of During this jam-packed week, many sites are visited: the Canadian a healthy lifestyle is the focus of Agriculture Museum, the National Capital Commission’s Gatineau Park this week and gives participants the with the observation of its unique flora and fauna, and the conservation opportunity to try out a number of and exploration of a 400-year-old forest. Participants learn first-hand sports activities such as: Ultimate from biologists, ecologists and other scientific experts about the use Frisbee, martial arts, wall-climbing, and abuse of our resources, and they provide answers and tools to downhill skiing, snowboarding, swimming, dragon boating, skating, take action. trampoline, and a military-style boot camp, to name a few. Past speakers have included Olympians, nutritionists, and fitness experts. Medicine & Health Arts & Culture Presentations on health research, HIV-AIDS, art therapy, cancer treatment, a medical ethics discussion and a role-play session are but Participants have a fantastic lineup of a few of the activities awaiting Canada’s future generation of health unique workshops to choose from, practitioners. The week may include tours of research labs at a cancer including introduction to art therapy, mime, centre, food analysis, genetics and reproductive technologies, to name swing dancing, slam, environmental a few. A forum with recent university graduates rounds out the week’s art, the foundation of B-Boying, collage, activities, providing vital information about their roles, aspirations and mono-printing, improvisation, and so much future plans in their respective fields. more. To kick off the week, participants experience the uplifting messages from an inspirational and motivational entertainer. Our artistic teens also enjoy a visit to one Canada Remembers of the world’s greatest collections at the (programmed by Veterans Affairs Canada) National Art Gallery. Young Canadians are offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about the significance of Remembrance Day. They attend the Remembrance Day Ceremonies held at the War Memorial, and visit the Canadian War Museum. They hear first-hand accounts of the crucial role that