Congratulations to our 2019 Ontario Parks Partners Bursary recipients!

The summer student workforce is the life-blood of the Ontario Parks summer operating season. Our provincial parks simply could not operate without our student workers.

This week, we gathered in Peterborough to award the 2019 Ontario Parks Partners Bursaries.

The Ontario Parks Partners Bursary was established in 2000 by several Ontario Parks corporate partners to recognize students who excel in their jobs with Ontario Parks. The $500.00 awards acknowledge the innovation and leadership of young people who work in Ontario’s provincial parks.

Our 2019 winners drew praise for their roles as mentors, educators and innovators. Whether they were administering First Aid, managing recycling programs or sharing park history and heritage with visitors, each student went above and beyond to earn their nomination.

Special congratulations to Christopher Cole, who received the Amber Booth Award

This award carries special recognition for bursary recipients whose efforts stand out in the areas of health, safety and wellness.

As a member of Algonquin Provincial Park’s maintenance crew, Chris and his team members faced several hazards each and every day. Chris, more than all his peers, took safety very seriously.

This went beyond always ensuring that he and his peers were working in a safe manner with appropriate personal protective equipment, which Chris did constantly. He took charge of the team’s daily “tailgate safety meetings,” and suggested new safety matters to review and discuss during these meetings, and consistently brought safety concerns to supervisors.

Chris’s safety-oriented approach to his work made the Algonquin’s maintenance team perform in a safer and more efficient manner overall.

Our 2019 student speaker

Hearing about the experiences of our students is always a highlight of the ceremony. This year, Whitney Otis shared how her experiences working at Ontario Parks helped shape her music career.

Thanks to Whitney for bringing this special moment to our 2019 celebration.

Whitney is from Mattice, and has worked as a gate attendant at Nagagamisis Provincial Park for the past five summers. In the delivery of exceptional customer service, Whitney leads by example. Being completely bilingual, Whitney’s ability to converse in French and English seamlessly is a perfectly placed asset at Nagagamisis.

Whitney was also instrumental in running the park’s Musical Campfire this past summer, which was a huge hit with campers. Whitney’s musical talents, initiative, and dedication make her an essential member of the Nagagamisis team.

Without the support of the following partners, the bursary program would not be possible

Since 2000, our corporate partners have provided over $250,000 to our students.

Big thanks to our 2019 partners!

This song from our “Singing Superintendent” Scott Thomas commemorates all the amazing work and passion our summer students bring to parks:

Congratulations to all our 2019 winners!

You truly do put the heart into the park!