Town of Banff

A trip to Banff a grand prize for Canada’s students

November 10, 2011
For Immediate Release

Banff, AB – As mayor of Banff, Karen Sorensen spends considerable time greeting visitors from all over the world to the small community in Canada’s first and most famous national park. It’s one of the perks, she says.

But today, Mayor Sorensen has travelled a little further than usual to extend very special greetings on behalf of her home town. She joined the Hon. Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and Alan Latourelle, CEO of Parks Canada, at École secondaire Étienne-Brûlé  in Toronto for the launch today of the “Canada’s Coolest School Trip” contest, sponsored by Parks Canada, Brewster Travel Canada, Air Canada and Banff Lake Louise Tourism.

The prize: an all-expense paid trip for four days to Banff National Park for an entire Grade 8 class.

“I wish I had class trips like this when I was in school,” said Sorensen who grew up in Orangeville, Ontario. “There can be no better classroom in the country than Banff National Park. It’s an incredible learning opportunity and an exciting and fun contest.”

The mayor introduced a video featuring Banff’s own grade 8 students exploring the park. The video, produced by the students and Banff Lake Louise Tourism, will be shown in theatres across the country.

To win, classes must recreate a significant Canadian moment related to a national park, national historic site or national marine conservation area on video and submit it for nationwide judging via Parks Canada’s “My Parks Pass” website. Canada’s students, teachers and Canadians across the country will vote on their favorites starting January 8, 2012. The most popular videos will be judged by a panel of esteemed jury members, based on originality, content and creativity, on February 8. The trip will be May 28 to 31, 2012.

Sorensen said the town looks forward to welcoming the lucky class who wins the prize.  “Sharing our  town and the park’s spectacular beauty and awesome array of activities with youth from another part of Canada is both a privilege and a delight. On behalf of all our grade 8 students and the residents of Banff, we wish everyone good luck.”

About the Town of Banff
The Town of Banff is located in the heart of Banff National Park and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to over 8,300 residents and greets more than three million visitors from around the world each year.