"Ottawa - a week at the Terry Fox Centre" Ottawa by fairy_dust

Ottawa Travel Guide: 1,797 reviews and 4,417 photos

The whole group at Parliament Hill - Ottawa
The whole group at Parliament Hill

Last time I went to Ottawa was in November 1999, during my last year of high school. I participated in the Encounters With Canada program at the Terry Fox Centre, which is my best high school memory. At the Terry Fox Centre, big groups of over 100 Canadian teens from different provinces and backgrounds come together to learn about Canadian identity and about Canada in general. Both official languages (English and French) were used during the week. Each week has a different group, as well as a theme. Mine was Arts and Culture, which was perfect for me. I can't imagine going to any other week.

We didn't stay locked up in the Centre all week. There were all sorts of activities planned for us, such as a visit to the Parliament buildings, a bus tour of Ottawa, visits to museums, a day of shopping, and a night at the theatre. In the Centre, we also had guest speakers, workshops (modern dance was my favorite), and we also got to make the Canada 360 video - a video of skits, where everyone got together with the people of their province and made a fun little skit to portray their province. We had lots of fun, and many people cried when it was time to leave the Centre.

Basically, Encounters with Canada is a program for young Canadians to learn about Canada and Canadian identity, meet fellow Canadians from around the country, and learn from each other. Young people from every race, ethnic background, religion, etc came together, and we were all Canadians. Contrary to popular belief, Canada is not just snow, hockey, and mounties. We're not a poorer copy of the US either. We have a rich and unique heritage, and a week at the Terry Fox Centre is a great way for young Canadians to discover it and learn about it.

  • Last visit to Ottawa: Nov 1999
  • Intro Updated Feb 14, 2004
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (11)

Chateau Laurier Things to Do (6)

I only spent a few minutes in Chateau Laurier, because one of the girls I was shopping with wanted to buy a Chateau... more travel advice

The Coin Museum Things to Do (6)

There is a coin museum in Ottawa, but I can't remember the name for the life of me... It includes coins and currency... more travel advice

The Mall Shopping (1)

On our last day at the Terry Fox Centre, we went shopping at the mall close to Chateau Laurier. The mall itself is quite... more travel advice

Bilingualism Local Customs (1)

Since Ottawa is the capital of Canada, it's an officially bilingual city. Everything is available in English and French,... more travel advice

Comments (3)

fairy_dust's Related Pages

Ottawa Travel Guide

 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
fairy_dust's Profile Photo

fairy_dust

“Draco Dormiens Nunquam Tittilandus”

Online Now

Female

Top 1,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 0 5 7 4
Forum Rank:
0 1 9 8 0

Badges & Stats in Ottawa

  • 11 Reviews
  • 1 Photos
  • 0 Forum posts
  • 3 Comments
  • 2,352PageViews
  • See All Stats
  • See All Badges (13)

Have you been to Ottawa?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in Ottawa

Photos in Ottawa

See All Photos (1)

Top 10 Pages

See All Travel Pages (48)

Friends

See All Friends (69)

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (5)

Latest Ottawa hotel reviews

Delta Ottawa City Centre
235 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 16, 2013
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
683 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 16, 2013
The Westin Ottawa
733 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 17, 2013
Marriott Ottawa
518 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 17, 2013
Chateau Cartier Resort
103 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 8, 2013
Hotel Indigo Ottawa Downtown
354 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 16, 2013
Lord Elgin Hotel
752 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 16, 2013
Albert At Bay Suite Hotel
540 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 14, 2013
The National Hotel and Suites Ottawa
227 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 14, 2013
Beacon Hill Motel
16 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 14, 2013
Travelodge Hotel & Convention Centre - Ottawa West
239 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 17, 2013
HI Ottawa Jail Hostel
89 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 7, 2013
Minto Place Suite Hotel
534 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 9, 2013
Days Inn Ottawa Airport
75 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 14, 2013
Value Inn Ottawa
36 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 14, 2013