The 2024 Adopt a Ship program has ended, join us again next year!
For the fourth year in a row, Canadian Geographic Education and the Canadian Coast Guard are partnering to bring you Adopt A Ship, a unique program all about inspiring classrooms to learn about maritime science and careers. This year, we are excited to announce that the program, designed primarily for Grades 5-7, is now available for free to all classes in Canada. With new presentations, updated learning activities, and a fun contest, this year’s program is what it’s all a-boat!
Take a look at our schedule of live virtual events and download our learning activities to learn about the Canadian Coast Guard with your students.
*Scroll to the bottom of the page to see a list of active CCG vessels.
Presentation schedule
All events are virtual and last approximately 35 minutes. Register for as many events as you want! Although the presentations are designed primarily for Grades 5-7, all educators and learners, in classrooms, homeschools, and informal educational settings are welcome to join.
Note: If you are unable to join the live events due to a scheduling conflict, please register for events that you are interested in regardless. We will share recordings of the events, which you will be able to watch later at your convenience.
- January 24 – 11:00 a.m. ET – Marine communications and traffic services
- The MCTS will discuss their goals and operations, such as safety and navigation-related services for vessels, boaters, and fishers.
- Watch the recording here!
- January 31 – 11:00 a.m. ET – Canadian Coast Guard College
- The CCG College specializes in marine training to develop future Coast Guard officers and provide ongoing training for CCG personnel. At the college they learn the skills to save lives, safeguard marine life, and protect the environment in Canadian waters.
- Watch the recording here!
- February 14 – 11:00 a.m. ET – Sea Island Hovercraft Station (weather and operations dependent – teachers will be advised of any changes to the schedule)
- On vessels, logistics personnel perform various operations, including food catering and supplies, as well as shipboard safety and search and rescue drills and operations.
- Watch the recording here!
- RESCHEDULED – February 16 – 11:00 a.m. ET – Science at sea
- Across the country, scientists with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans are at sea collecting information needed for safe navigation and the sustainable management of our aquatic ecosystems and resources.
- Watch the recording here!
- February 21 – 11:00 a.m. ET – Commissioner Mario Pelletier (operations dependent – teachers will be advised of any changes to the schedule)
- Meet with the Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard and have the chance to take part in an interview that features your questions!
- Watch the recording here!
Ask the Commissioner your questions!
This year’s Adopt a Ship program will feature a live interview with the Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, Mario Pelletier. Commissioner Pelletier graduated from the Canadian Coast Guard College in 1985 and was appointed Commissioner in 2019. He enjoys speaking to youth about his career path and responsibilities and is looking forward to hearing what students are most interested in learning about.
We are collecting questions for the Commissioner from all participating classes and will ask them during his live interview. Please submit your questions here:
Contest
This year, we’re launching a brand new contest for classrooms! Participating classrooms are invited to design an art project that reflects what they learned throughout the program. Projects can take any shape or form, from a PowerPoint presentation to a collage — creativity is encouraged! One submission per class will be accepted.
All submissions must be received by midnight (EST) on April 5, 2024, to be eligible for prizes. Ten randomly selected participating classrooms will win prize packs consisting of merchandise and learning materials from the Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Geographic Education. All program participants are eligible to apply, regardless of grade level or educational setting.
Please submit contest entries via email to [email protected].
Educational resources
Below are a student workbook with learning activities that can be used in conjunction with the presentations or on their own. Students will have the chance to follow active Canadian Coast Guard vessels and to complete learning activities to discover what it’s like to be a part of a CCG crew! The teacher’s guide contains answers to the questions in the student workbook.
*Scroll to the bottom of the page to see a list of active CCG vessels.
Recordings of past events
Check back here to view recordings of the live presentations you were unable to attend.
Active Canadian Coast Guard Vessels
This is a list of the active Canadian Coast Guard vessels that can be found across Canada! To find out more about the Canadian Coast Guard fleet click here!
Western Region
- All Cape class vessels (SAR)
- Sea Island hovercraft station
- CCGS Sir John Franklin
- CCGS Captain Goddard M.S.M
- CCGS M. Charles M.B
Central Region
Atlantic Region
Questions?
If you have questions about the Adopt a Ship program, please contact us at [email protected].