2012-11-20 14:36:36 -

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 11/20/12 -- The Honourable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today launched 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. The Minister made the announcement while attending the opening ceremony of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada's annual Tourism Congress held this year in Gatineau, Quebec.



"I'm happy to announce that this contest is launching into its second year today and will continue to help build deeper connections between youth and our natural and historic heritage," said Minister Kent. "One lucky grade 8 or secondary 2 class will win an amazing opportunity to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Fortress of Louisbourg by visiting this national historic site; they will also tour Cape Breton Highlands National Park and other Parks Canada sites in Cape Breton."


In collaboration with Canadian Geographic Education, Nature Canada and The Historica-Dominion Institute, Parks Canada is offering the winning class a grand prize consisting of a four-day trip to Parks Canada places in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The prize includes meals, accommodations and return airfare to and from Sydney, Nova Scotia, for a class of up to 30 students and six chaperones. To win, the class must produce an advertisement, in a print, audio or video format, about the people, places or things unique to Cape Breton.


Contest entries will be accepted online at the contest websites, www.myparkspass.ca : www.myparkspass.ca and www.monpasseportparcs.ca, until February 24, 2013. 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 Canada. The winning class will be announced in April 2013.


My Parks Pass program grants grade 8/secondary 2 students across Canada free access for one full year to any of Parks Canada's parks and sites, as well as free 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 the Parks Canada Discovery Pass.


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



Contacts:

Office of the Minister

of the Environment

819-997-1441


Media Relations

Parks Canada

819-953-8371

www.twitter.com/parkscanada