Come for the experience, leave with lifelong memories.
An Enriching Experience
Share your talent and expertise, and make a big difference in the lives of our Canadian youth.
Inspire leadership
Join our team of more than 160 Canadian teachers and retired teachers from across the country and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Act as a host
Spend a week or two in the heart of our nation's capital and open the minds of Canadian youth to wider horizons.
HELP US PROMOTE EWC
Promote our program to students in your school and act as a teacher-liaison for EWC.
For Teachers
Every year, some 3,200 teens from across the country come to Encounters with Canada. By helping us promote our program in your school and community, you contribute to opening young minds, strengthening youth voices, inspiring leadership and presenting students with new and exciting educational opportunities.
It is important to note that the EWC program has undergone curriculum audits by provincial and territorial ministries of education across Canada. The program has consistently received glowing reviews and is considered a complement and enhancement to existing school curriculums.
Recommend your student
Students must obtain a signature from a school authority on their hard-copy registration forms, prior to sending them to EWC, indicating they have received permission to miss a week of class.
Organize a group
EWC welcomes groups. But to ensure a pan-Canadian representation of youth attending each week, careful planning is necessary. Please contact your EWC regional coordinator about your group. EWC will work with you to optimize the travel and programming experience for your students.
Promote EWC
Each year, EWC sends promotional packages to every high school across Canada. You could play a vital role in ensuring this information reaches your school administration, teachers and students. If you would like copies of EWC's promotional material for distribution or posting at your school, contact your EWC regional coordinator, or contact us directly!
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"I learned how to play Kin-Ball, Ultimate Frisbee and the girls won tug of war over the boys every time! It’s crazy how close you can get to a complete stranger within a couple days! This experience is all about getting out of your comfort zone, starting the conversation first and being happy.”
"I can say I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Encounters with Canada program. I just love teaching and young people and the ones you get here, show me how much I miss it (now retired). I am honoured to be a part of this program and will continue to support and promote it to others."
"I had an amazing week! I felt I had a lot of support from EWC staff and each activity was planned exceptionally well. I absolutely loved the sense of community that is in the centre, making the centre a true “home away from home”."
"The Terry Fox Canadian Youth Centre is a positive, caring environment, nurtured by people who are obviously dedicated to provide the participants and teacher-monitors with the best possible experience. It was great to be surrounded by positive, supportive individuals who seemed happy to help."
"This week has changed me as a person and I have grown so much during my time in Ottawa. I benefited tremendously from EWC, and I think many other northern youth would too. I sometimes feel isolated up in Yellowknife and coming to Ottawa boosted my confidence."
"This place could even be called Encounters with life as so many positive things come out of being here that have profound effect on my life. I have made new friends, renewed energy and a better appreciation for all things Canadian. I am always humbled by the participants and the EWC experience."
"An AWESOME staff have been assembled here at EWC. Keep up the good work! The Monitors here have to be some of the nicest, most caring people I have met, and they all have such interesting backgrounds. They are a big part of making the participants, and new mentors (like myself) feel at home."
"I met teacher-monitor Lorenzo Dragonieri at the Prime Minister's swearing-in on Nov. 4, 2015. I mentioned to him that I participated in the program back in April 1987, my daughter attended in April 2009 any my son in February 2013! He had such high praise for the students - what a sweet man!"
BECOME A TEACHER-MONITOR
Each year, more than 160 current and retired teachers from across the country spend a week or more in Ottawa, as teacher-monitors. You can too! Come share your talent and expertise; make a big difference in the lives of Canadian youth; unlock their minds; open up new possibilities; strengthen their voices; inspire leadership.
As a volunteer teacher-monitor you will…
Act as a host, facilitator, counsellor, friend and surrogate parent
Serve as an ambassador, sharing the unique characteristics and traits of your province/territory with fellow monitors and participants
Participate in incomparable professional development opportunities
Meet notable and accomplished Canadians
Experience teamwork at its very best
Find Out More
Join us – and leave with lifelong memories! Whether you are a guidance counsellor, teacher’s aide, school principal or vice principal, we are looking forward to working with you!
Transport and accommodation
Transportation costs to come to the Terry Fox Canadian Youth Centre, from anywhere in Canada, are entirely free, thanks to Exchanges Canada, a program of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
You will stay at the Centre in fully equipped, private bedrooms. All meals are provided, and program activities and events are free of charge (city tours, museums, movies, plays, sporting events, etc.).
How to Apply
Use the following Access Code to register online on My Encounters. (Access Code: MON123). You will be contacted by EWC's Program Department, shortly thereafter.
Please only register once! My Encounters will save your information between each visit. If you have chosen a username and password as part of the registration process, do not enter your access code again, even if your registration is not complete or if you have registered for a previous school year. Simply log in using your username and password to access your information.
