2026 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 20-35 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) An indoor Classroom session & activity (hosted by the Calgary Curling Club): The Battle of Vimy Ridge or The Sinking of Llandovery Castle. For younger children (i.e., Gr. 1 – 3, Cubs, Embers), we have a special session: Whitey the Collie’s Journey.
2026 Scheduling Options & Dates:
Schools (half days, mornings/afternoons): Oct. 26-30, Nov. 2-6, 9-10
Guides & Scouts: Evenings of Oct. 27, 28, 29, Nov. 2, 3, 4, & 9; Weekend: Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 7
To Sign Up, click the appropriate image:
When signing up, please be sure to provide all requested information (i.e., your contact info, group/school name, age range/grade, and number of youth likely to attend). Within 5-10 business days you will receive a confirmatory response from a member of our education team.
Please note that last year saw 90% of the slots filled within 3 days.
Capacity & Cost: We are only able to host a maximum of 100-110 students/youth per half day (i.e., max of 35 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 & clubs 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).
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.
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.
In 2023, our first iteration of the program, we hosted slightly more than 1,000 youth from Calgary and area.
In 2024, we hosted approximately 1,500.
In 2025, despite the Alberta Education – ATA Labour Dispute, the team educated 1,375 youth. We also better tracked our “drop-in” numbers: we hosted another approximately 625 youth and 1,000 adults (most visiting on Nov. 10 & 11).
Our most sincere thanks to all our supporters, volunteers, and donors – this would not be possible without you!
