1. Eligible Entrants: The Contest is open to all K-12 learners in Canada, including home schooled pupils and those in alternative learning arrangements. There are three categories: grades K-6 students, grades 7-12 students and grades K-12 classes. This contest can have either individual or class entries. “Class” may also be interpreted within the context of early childhood groups, homeschooling groups, etc.
2. Contest Period: The Contest will close at 11:59pm (Eastern Standard Time) on Wednesday, October 1st, 2025. Videos must be uploaded using DriveUploader and all contest and release forms received before the Contest Close Date.
3. Binding Contest Rules: By entering the Contest, entrants agree to be bound by the Contest’s official rules (Rules). All decisions by Take Me Outside, including without limitation the eligibility of entries, are final and binding. Entries will be disqualified if, by Take Me Outside’s sole discretion, they are illegal, defamatory, discriminatory or obscene or not an original composition of the entrant.
4. Video Requirements: Your video submission (Video) must:
   1. Have English subtitles if made in a different language.
   2. Be a maximum of 4 minutes in length;
   3. Be consistent with the theme of ‘Canada’s Backyard – Show us why we have one of the best backyards in the world and how you like spending time in it’.
5. Permissions: Due to copyright laws, each entrant is responsible for obtaining written permission for music and/or images created by others that are used in the entrant’s video. In the absence of properly-obtained permission, original music and/or images created by the entrant or copyright-free music available through video programs may be used.
6. Media Release: It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure that media consent has been obtained by all individuals featured in the entry.
7. Wavier of Moral Rights: Entrants in the Contest and all participants in their Video waive all moral rights in their Videos and grant to the Sponsor the right to display the Videos in any form of media including but not limited to newspapers, television, internet websites and to edit the Videos for purposes of better editorial display.
8. All entry forms will be kept strictly confidential: Only winners’ names, ages and school name will appear in any promotional material, along with the video title, year, length, original language and format.
9. Submitting Videos: All Videos must be submitted via DriveUploader (link: https://driveuploader.com/upload/2Q2ffXb2ck/)
10. Prizes: One grand prize (could be from any category) will be $400 towards Mountain Equipment Company (MEC), and a 3 day trip to Banff National Park for 2 people (usually 1 student and 1 adult). In the case of a winning class/group entry, one student can be chosen and accompanied by one adult/educator. Airfare and accommodation, as well as complimentary tickets to the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival will be included. Please note that the winning film will be shared online, and screened on-stage during the Banff Mountain Film Festival’s Marketplace on the second weekend of the Festival. The grand prize trip will be planned to coincide with this showing, and will occur at the end of October 2025 or beginning of November 2025. Under extenuating circumstances, the 3 day trip can be rescheduled if needed to a later date. The student who is chosen to go on the trip will have to be available to do so.
11. Each 1st place in each category will receive $400 towards Mountain Equipment Company (MEC). Runner up video selections in each category will receive $200 towards Mountain Equipment Company (MEC). Under no circumstances are prizes able to be redeemed for any cash value.

Video Requirements:

To see the complete Rules and Guidelines, click here.

Length: 

4 minutes or less.

Language: 

Videos can be created in any language. English subtitles must be used in all non-English videos.

Submissions: 

Submissions can be made by uploading video files using the following submission portal. Please make sure your video files are labeled and indicate the title and creator.

We are storytelling creatures. We want to hear yours! Get creative. Tell us, and better yet, show us why Canada has the best backyard in the world and how you like spending time in it. If you’re submitting in the individual student category, there are so many different ways you can film this and so many options for showcasing the land and all it has to offer.

If it’s your class making a submission, show us how you’re finding adventures and exploring beyond the your classroom and schoolyard fence. Does your class go on field trips? How does your teacher enable you to explore outside the classroom? What adventures are used as learning opportunities while exploring Canada’s backyard?

What kind of story will you tell? Great stories come in many different forms – a short drama, comedy, montage, documentary – the options are endless. Figure out how you want to tell yours, then make it your own! All are encouraged to enter: classes, home school groups, and independent learners as well.

Don’t forget to check out our Rules and Guidelines before submitting your video.