School Challenge

Want to use the powers of your local school, college, or university to activate and improve your community? Step up and get involved in The Grand Parade, a family-friendly fundraising walk in support of local charities who celebrate and support seniors across Canada. Here’s what you can do...

1. Pick a Leader

You’ll need a leader, commander, captain: someone who can steer the TGP ship and has a natural talent for bringing people together. This can be a teacher, principal, staff member, or administrator - anyone with a big heart who can get students excited about TGP.

2. Connect with Your Local Charity

Reach out to a local charity in your community that is already participating in The Grand Parade. You can find an official TGP charity close to you by visiting thegrandparade.org/locations.

Talk to them about supporting their work through your own school TGP - they’ll be overjoyed! The charity is your main TGP contact point; they’ll supply you with resources to help make your walk fun.

3. Pick a Route, Date, and Time

Create a route for your school walk that is easy for your students to access - in most cases, this should be on your school’s campus. Outdoors is best (around a soccer field for example), but in a pinch you can even walk the halls or around your school’s gymnasium.

Then, select a date and time that fits in well with your school’s schedule. We highly recommend walking or biking between September 16 and 20 - this is the week preceding TGP’s official event date. Closer to the event is better.

4. Sign Up Online

You’re going to need a team page to collect online donations! The leader you’ve selected should be the captain of this team and the ‘face’ of this school event.

• Register online at thegrandparade.org/register.

• Choose your location + charity, accept the waiver, and select Start a Team - your team name can be the name of your school, or something more fun.

• Pick a goal! Something that your students can get excited about and isn’t too daunting.

• Under The Challenge, enter your school’s name in ‘Organization Name’ and select Community > Schools as your category.

• Set your walk to Offsite since you’ll be walking on your own school campus.

• Presto - you’ve got your own team page link!

5. Tell People About It

Get the word out! You’re riding, walking, and fundraising for TGP, say it loud and proud. Promote widely - share your team page link with students and encourage them to join, fundraise, and collect pledges. Hype it up, incentivize, and recognize hard workers. A few ideas to get the ball rolling:

• Extra, Extra! Got a newsletter? Include a story about how awesome TGP will be at your school!

• Everyone Get $50! Encourage everyone to reach a modest minimum. Reward goal-getters with a sticker!

• Friendly Rivalry. Set up competitions between classes, or even challenge another school to see who can raise more for your local charity!