Take Me Outside Student Video Contest

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 four total categories: grades K-3 students, grades 4-8 students, grades 9-12 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.

Contest Period: The Contest will close at 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) on October 9th, 2026. Videos must be uploaded to YouTube and shared before the Contest Close Date.

Category Requirements: Video submissions must adhere to the following requirements based on the category they are entering: 

• K-3 Student Category: Submissions in this category can have help from a parent/guardian in filming and editing, provided the skill set of filming by the adult is still amateur (i.e., we’re not wanting contributions from folks who have a professional background in film-making!)
• Grades 4-8 Student Category: Submissions in this category can have some help from a parent/guardian in filming and editing, provided the skill set of filming by the adult is still amateur (i.e., we’re not wanting contributions from folks who have a professional background in film-making!)
• Grades 9-12 Student Category: Submissions in this category must be filmed and edited solely by the learner making the submission.
• K-12 Class Category: Submissions in this category can be submitted by an educator or learner, but must be filmed and edited by the learners or educators in that class. Only one submission per class! “Class” may also be interpreted within the context of early childhood groups, homeschooling groups, etc.

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, in Take Me Outside’s sole discretion, they are illegal, defamatory, discriminatory, obscene, or not an original composition of the entrant.

Video Requirements: Video submissions must:

1. An original video. 
2. Void of AI content, editing, or assistance. 
3. Have English subtitles if made in a different language.
4. Be a maximum of 4 minutes in length;
5. Be consistent with the theme of ‘Canada’s Backyard: Show the World Where We Learn & Play’.

Submitting Videos: All Videos must be uploaded and shared via YouTube. Selected winners will be asked to share the original files of their videos with Take Me Outside.

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.

Media Release: It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure that media consent has been obtained by all individuals featured in the entry.

Waiver of Moral Rights: Entrants in the Contest and all participants in their Videos 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.

Privacy: All entry forms will be kept strictly confidential. Only winners’ names, ages, and school names will appear in any promotional material, along with the video title, year, length, original language, and format.

Prizes: One grand prize (could be from any category) will be awarded 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 2026 or the beginning of November 2026. 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. Each 1st place in each category will receive $300 towards outdoor gear. Runner-up video selections in each category will receive $200 towards outdoor gear. Under no circumstances are prizes able to be redeemed for any cash value.

Video Requirements: video submission must meet the following criteria:

1. An original video. 
2. Void of AI content, editing, or assistance. 
3. Have English subtitles if made in a different language.
4. Be a maximum of 4 minutes in length;
5. Be consistent with the theme of ‘Canada’s Backyard: Show the World Where We Learn & Play’.

Submissions: 

Submissions can be made by uploading a video to YouTube and then sharing the link to the uploaded video using the submission form on our website, found here. Winners will be asked to share a copy of the video file in order to claim their prize. 

The deadline to submit is October 9th at 11:59 pm EST. 

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.