Our Youth Program

Spend a week with Encounters with Canada - Canada's largest youth forum!  Every week of the school year, 120 to138 teens from across Canada (ages 14-17) come to Ottawa, where they discover their country through each other, learn about Canadian institutions, meet famous and accomplished Canadians, explore exciting career options, develop their civic leadership skills and live an extraordinary bilingual experience. Over 84,000 youth have lived the EWC experience, so far! 

Read our FAQs, choose from our exciting theme weeks, and register TODAY!


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Vimy: Canada’s Coming of Age

This week offers Canadian youth the opportunity to discover Vimy and its significance to Canada’s evolution from Dominion to a nation among nations. Participants that are interested in Canadian history and international affairs, will especially enjoy learning about Canada’s participation in the First World War, with seminars, conferences and debates on the Canadian Corps, the capture of Vimy Ridge, Canada’s 100 Days, the conscription crisis and the home front, Canada’s identity and new role on the world stage following the First World War and the legacy of Vimy. Visits this week include the Canadian War Museum, a ceremony on Vimy Ridge Day and much more. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the Beaverbrook Vimy Prize (a summer youth experience in England, France and Belgium that takes place every August), and two outstanding participants will be chosen as recipients for the scholarship. Vimy Foundation website

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