Explorica has been helping teachers plan educational tours to commemorate important events in Canada’s history for years, but this year has been especially exciting for us as we prepare for Canada’s 150th anniversary. On the eve of this monumental celebration, we are proud to announce the grand prize winner of our special Canada Day essay contest!
Launched earlier this spring, the contest asked Keating by Explorica travellers to share what they thought the world should know about Canada. The winner receives a free spot on their Keating by Explorica tour!
Essays poured in, and we were very impressed by the thoughtfulness and pride that showed in each submission. After careful review, we have determined that the official grand prize winner is Audrey from Hagersville, ON!
Here is Audrey’s essay, entitled “The True North:”
Tim Horton’s and maple syrup are what Canada is all aboot right? Although we enjoy delicious donuts and a sugary topping on our pancakes, there is much much more to Canada than what meets the eye. Canada has many of the traits of the intrepid and ingenious explorer. An explorer must be more than just courageous and curious, they must also be relentless. Canadians all over the nation help to fulfill the amazing image that we are known for, including grade eight students and courteous companies like Explorica.
Canada is first and foremost courageous! About a year ago the Fort McMurray wildfire hit. “The fire destroyed 2,400 structures, nearly ten percent of the city, when it ripped through in May and forced more than 80,000 residents to flee” (“The Fort McMurray Fire”, The Globe and Mail, 01/05/2017). Canada as a country, was dauntless and helped raise money to fix the damages. As a country we began by getting small donations at local grocery stores and quickly began to send large monthly donations to the Canadian Red Cross. Now our brave citizenry are already moving back. It takes courage to sacrifice a dollar let alone 7500, because every bit counts! Canada’s generosity and courageousness has been proven to be able to conquer anything!
Canada’s next great exploring characteristic is curiosity. Canadians are constantly discovering new things. Last year the discovery of a 14,000 year old settlement on Triquet Island in British Columbia occurred. The settlement acted as a haven for our ancestors during the end of the last ice age. Remains of tools, charcoal, and spears were found on the island. Students from the University of Victoria were able to help find and research these objects! Our curiosity is not only ancient, but current. Our contribution to space exploration shows that our curiosity will never die. Like an explorer Canada’s curiosity is a part of our inner identity.
Like an explorer, our future can be determined by us. Since Canada is relentless we are helping to make the world a better place. We have been giving aid to refugees by providing homes and a better place to live. We are showing others that gender equality and the right to express ourselves in the matters that concern the world help to make a healthy environment. We will continue to strive to accomplish sustainable development goals (SDGs), such as eliminating all of the poverty and hunger in the world. By being relentless Canada displays our true explorer and improves humankind.
Canada is the very essence of an explorer. We show courage, curiosity and relentlessness. Through wildfires and new discoveries this country has still managed to continue to work on helping other Canadians and people all over the world. We hold ourselves to a higher standard and try to be a beacon for others to aspire to. Here is to 150 years of the True North!
Sourcing
The Fort McMurray Fire: What’s happening now, and what you’ve missed, The Globe and Mail, 01/05/17, 04/17/17, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/ablerta/the-fort-mcmurray-disaster-read-the-latest-weekend/article22930041/
Wildfire Evacuee Registration Information, Canadian Red Cross, 04/19/17, www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/emergencies-and-disasters-in-canada/how-we-
help-canadians/red-cross-services/northern-alberta-wildfires-registration
Discovery Og 14,000-Year-Old Settlement In Canada Could Rewrite North American History, IFLSCIENCE, 05/23/17, https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/ discovery-of-14000yearold-settlement-in-canada-could-rewrite-north-american-
history
Curiosity and the Mars Science Laboratory Mission, Canadian Space Agency, 05/26/17, www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronomy/mars/curiosity.asp
Our most sincere congratulations to Audrey, and a big thanks to everyone who participated in the contest!
Happy 150th from all of us at Explorica Canada!