Rules and Criteria

Update regarding COVID-19

*Travel may be disrupted in 2020/2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While Canada’s History will make all efforts to award an appropriate prize to the contest winners, equivalent prize substitutions or deferrals are not guaranteed.

**Canada's History will not be mailing certificates of participation for the 2020 contest. 

Eligibility

Any student in a recognized school or homeschooled, between the ages of 7 and 14 years, can enter an illustrated story of their own creation based on any element of Canada’s past they find of interest. The Kayak Kids' Illustrated History Challenge is open to all nationalities, however, only Canadian residents are eligible for the top prizes of the trip to Ottawa. Non-Canadian resident submissions are still eligible for the Top 25 shortlist, subsequent digital publication and other related promotions. Only single-authored submissions will be eligible for prizes.

Prize Description

The top two entries (one French and one English) will receive:

  • a round trip for two people to Ottawa (leaving from a major city centre) to participant in the Canada's History Youth Awards and related events*.

The top 25 entries will receive:

  • a complimentary subscription to Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids
  • Plus: they’ll have their work published online at KayakMag.ca

All participants will receive:

  • a special certificate commending them on their participation*.

Deadline and Submissions

  • Unless otherwise stated, the deadline for submitting stories is June 15th annually. This year's deadline has been extended to June 30, 2020. 
  • Online entries submitted via this form are preferred, but entries received via other means will not be penalized or effect the judging outcome.
  • Hand-delivered entries must be received by 4:00 p.m. CST on the deadline. Mail or hand-deliver entries to: Kayak Kids' Illustrated History Challenge, Bryce Hall, Main Floor, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 2E9.

Judging

A group of 5–6 individuals representative of the fields of writing, education, historical research, and publishing will be invited to review a short list of entries to help select the Top 25, as well as the English and French Award recipients. Judging will be, by its very nature, subjective and dependent on the professional editorial discretion of the judges.

Publication

Shortlisted entrants and winners' first names, home towns, provinces and submissions may be published on KayakMag.ca. Twenty-five stories will be selected in English and French for publication as a special digital edition of Kayak or published on our website KayakMag.ca. Kayak reserves the non-exclusive right to publish any entry in any or all magazines, websites and/or educational, promotional or other materials produced by Canada's History.

Responsibility

  • Kayak cannot be held responsible for entries that are lost, damaged, or delayed during transportation. Entries will not be returned. 
  • Canada's History Society is not responsible for any failure of the website during this contest. Nor is it responsible for any problems or technical malfunctions of computer online systems, servers, access providers, computer equipment, software or any email, online or internet entry lost due to technical problems or traffic congestion on the internet or at any website or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to an entrant's or any other person's computer or property related to or resulting from playing or downloading any material in the promotion.
  • By entering this challenge, you agree that any information you send to Kayak becomes the property of Canada's History and Kayak, and should you win, your first name will be posted and or published.
  • This challenge is open to all Canadian residents, and who are not employees and immediate families of Canada's History. Subject to all applicable laws. Void where prohibited.
  • If you do not wish to remain eligible for this contest, you may notify Canada's History Society in writing at "Kayak Kids' Illustrated History Challenge," c/o Kayak Magazine, Bryce Hall, Main Floor, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9.
  • For further questions or comments regarding this contest please contact the Canada's History at the address above, at contest@kayakmag.ca, or by telephone at 1-866-952-3444, x. 225.
Project partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.
  • Canadian Heritage / Patrimoine Canadien
  • Government of Canada
  • HBC: Hudson's Bay Company
  • ecentricarts inc.