Parks Canada launches event for new Canadians

In their 100th year, Parks Canada is extending their celebrations to new Canadians.

This week will see one of 10 Learning to Camp events happening in cities across the country that Parks Canada has launched. The Maritime's event is being held at Fort Beausejour-Fort Cumberland, in Aulac.

About 115 new Canadians from the Charlottetown, Halifax and Moncton areas have signed up for the overnight camping experience. Participants are from 18 countries, including Nicaragua, Vietnam, China, Algeria, Iran, Iraq and Sierra Leone.

"It's really for the interest and to initiate the urban population, particularly new Canadians, into our parks and historic sites," said Geraldine Arsenault, external relations manager for the Northern New Brunswick field unit with Parks Canada.

"They don't often get the opportunity to find out more about our history and our nature."

Participants will be bussed to the Fort tomorrow, where they will set up their tents and enjoy guided tours of Fort Beausejour-Fort Cumberland. A workshop on Camping 101, including how to cook in the outdoors, will teach participants the basics of camping.

To follow closely with a proper Canadian camping experience, a campfire with smores and music will end the evening.

"It will give them a sense of what this country is all about through our national parks," Arsenault said. "Some of these people have only been in Canada for a month or two. Some haven't really been out of a city. So we decided to do it as a Maritime experience at Fort Beausejour."

On Sunday, there will be a guided nature walk and more workshops, including one about kites and choosing the proper camping equipment.

Arsenault said a lot of these people wouldn't dare go camping in their native countries, whether because it was too dangerous or simply not a part of their culture.

But in Canada, camping is most certainly a part of our culture, and that's what Parks Canada is wanting new Canadians to experience.

"It's about overcoming the barriers they might have as new Canadians and giving it a try," she said. "Most of the Canadian population lives in urban centres, so we need to make our parks accessible to all Canadians."

Parks Canada is the oldest parks system in the world. They want to make sure everyone gets out and enjoys the history and nature of the country's parks.

"We want to show them a window into Parks Canada," said Arsenault. "A window into camping and fun activities that they can enjoy in our parks and national sites."

Learning to Camp is taking place in collaboration with Mountain Equipment Co-op. Parks Canada is also holding events in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec and Winnipeg.