2025 Program Description
The free, half-day-long, Classroom at the Crosses education program consists of three 30-minute sessions through which three separate classes/groups of 20-40 students/youth will be rotated. The program will run Oct. 26 – Nov. 10 inclusive.
Young Calgarians will experience: (1) A Guided Tour of the Field of Crosses – outdoors, including Tim Horton’s donated hot chocolate, (2) Artifact Handling: real historical items from Canadian military history – inside a heated tent, and (3) A Classroom session with activity: The Battle of Vimy Ridge or The Sinking of Llandovery Castle – indoors at the adjacent Calgary Curling Club. We also have a special session for younger children (i.e., Gr. 1 – 3, Cubs, Embers): The 4 Forces of Flight.
If you are interested in helping to fund this educational program, please CONTACT US or visit our DONATE page. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our VOLUNTEER page. Click here to see a summary and photos of last year’s program.
To Sign Up your CLASSROOM (Gr. 4-12), please Click HERE
To Sign Up your Guides/Scouts/Cadets, please Click HERE
Capacity & Cost: We are only able to host a maximum of 100-110 students/youth per half day (i.e., max of 40 students per group/session). This is a free educational program.
Busing: Please arrange your own busing based on the arrival & departure times indicated by the program timing option you have chosen (shown below).
Valour Canada can subsidize $250 per bus (all grades) – but your school must invoice us following the field trip. Private schools are ineligible for subsidies.
Amenities: Students will receive hot chocolate. Other food/drinks are not available on site. There are porta-potties for bathroom needs (and bathrooms at the Curling Club).
2025 Scheduling Options & Dates:
WE ARE 95% FULL – so please look at Table 2 carefully before signing up.
How to book a half-day for your class(es):
-
- Review “Table 1” and make note of which half-day program timing option works best for your group. Note that each half-day has two program timing options, and that schedule option B is only available on Wednesdays and one evening so far (Over 80% of teachers chose an option A last year).
- Review “Table 2” for dates that (i) align well with your day/date needs, (ii) matches your selected program timing option, AND (iii) have available slots. NOTE: Table 2 will be updated regularly.
- Click the appropriate Signup Link above (just below the 3rd paragraph), then answer all questions and submit the form.
- Within 5 business days you will receive a confirmatory response from Aaron Curtis (aaron.curtis@valourcanada.ca).
- Arrange your busing and apply to Daytrippers for bus subsidy.
- Review “Table 1” and make note of which half-day program timing option works best for your group. Note that each half-day has two program timing options, and that schedule option B is only available on Wednesdays and one evening so far (Over 80% of teachers chose an option A last year).
Please note that the morning and afternoon of Oct. 30 & 31, 2025, are already fully booked, and Nov. 7 & 10, 2025, have been reserved for private schools. Also, please note that last year saw 90% of the slots filled by the end of the third week of September.
History of the Program
In the months prior to November 2023, Valour Canada and Field of Crosses agreed to collaborate on delivering an engaging and effective in-person educational program that would teach young Calgarians about Canada’s efforts, especially the sacrifices made by Canadians from southern Alberta, during military conflicts throughout Canada’s history.
During that first iteration of the program (2023), we hosted slightly more than 1,000 youth from Calgary and area. Last year, our second iteration, we hosted approximately 1,500. This year, our third, we are aiming for 1,750 students, scouts, guides, and cadets!
Our most sincere thanks to all our supporters, volunteers, and donors – this would not be possible without you!
