The Royal Canadian Legion is committed to ensuring youth understand and continue the tradition of Remembrance.
Legion Branches support youth involvement in Remembrance in a variety of ways. From holding Remembrance ceremonies at schools, speaking with students and youth organizations about Veterans, inviting youth to participate in community and Branch commemorative services, to inviting Cadets to help with the Poppy Campaign, and much more. Legion Branches offer youth many opportunities to get involved and participate in honouring and Remembering Canada’s Veterans.
Educational Resources
Educators: Veterans Affairs Canada has provided information and links to excellent educational resources. Please see:
National Youth Remembrance Contests
Through the annual National Youth Remembrance Contests, the Legion National Foundation, with the assistance of The Royal Canadian Legion and schools across the country, invite Canadian youth and children to honour Canada’s Veterans and foster the tradition of Remembrance through visual art, writing, and video. Please click on the title above to find out more about how Zone G5 and its branches launch the contests from the bottom up.
The contests have several levels. Poster and literary entries start at the local Legion Branch, and winners move on to provincial judging. Video entries are judged first at the provincial Legion Command. Provincial finalists from all categories are then sent to the Legion National Foundation for national judging, where the top entries in Canada are chosen.
National winners receive cash prizes for their achievements. First Place Senior winners can also earn the Legion’s top youth honour: a trip to Ottawa to represent Canadian youth at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Zone G5 Participation
Most of the branches in Zone G5 welcome Poster and Literary contest entries from participants of all ages. Most entries come from local schools, but individual entries are accepted if your school is not taking part. You can submit Poem and Essay entries in either English or French.
Please include an entry form with each of your submissions (you can draw a poster and compose a poem, each one needs its own entry form) and take it (them) to the correct Royal Canadian Legion branch. The deadline varies by branch, but is not long after Remembrance Day. Zone G5 holds its judging session after the branches have concluded theirs, and the winners are usually announced the following January, with Zone G5 and branch prizes and certificates being presented in local branch Award Ceremonies.
Check the map to find out which Legion branch is responsible for your school.
How to Enter
Visit the Legion National website to find educational guides, entry forms, and judging guidelines.
Important Notes
- You must include one entry form for every submission. For example, if you submit a poem and drawing, you must include an entry form for each one, specifying the category.
- Make sure your entry form is easy to read, especially your email address and phone number. If you can, fill out the PDF entry form on a computer.
- It’s important to provide clear and complete contact details for students, parents, and teachers. This helps us notify you about results and prizes quickly.
Please contact the Zone G5 Youth Education Chair for more information, or if you are not sure which branch you should deliver your entries to.