Afternoon: Independent arrivals and transfers to the program hotel after 4:00 pm. Please note that rooms are not generally available until mid to late afternoon.

Dinner: Welcome dinner at a local restaurant at 6:30 p.m.

Evening: INTRODUCTIONS: Following dinner, you will meet for introductions, a review of the program and site orientation.

Lodging: The Banff Inn

Meals Included: Dinner

Note: Johnston Canyon trail walk is approximately 2 miles/3 km along paved pathways with guardrails. Optional 1.25 mile/2 km trail walk at Lake Louise.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Banff National Park & Johnston Canyon. Discussions will focus on the formation of Canada's park system; history of Alberta's ranching industry; First Nations study with emphasis on the Stoney Indian people; formation of the Northwest Mounted Police (NWMP) and mountain geology. Arrive at Johnston Canyon for a trail walk while learning about the area flora/fauna; examine the measures taken to preserve the ecological integrity of the area.

Lunch: Picnic Lunch

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Lake Louise. Explore the alpine beauty of the Lake Louise area with guided trail walks and free time to explore the heritage exhibits at the renowned Chateau Lake Louise. Discuss the human history and exploration of the Lake Louise area, and study the impact of glacier formation on mountain geology while viewing the stunning Victoria Glacier. Knowledgeable guides will discuss the founding of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the hot springs discovery, and the park's connections to Hollywood film-making.

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.

Lodging: The Banff Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Travel time from Banff to Calgary will be approximately 1.5 hours on the coach (washroom available).

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Whyte Museum. Take a walk back in time and get to know the colorful individuals who built the town of Banff. This guided tour meanders through history to take you to the riverside site where Tom Wilson established one of the first outfitting operations in the area, St. Georges-in-the-Pines Anglican Church with its unique stained glass windows, and the Luxton Home and Garden. These and many other intriguing stops reveal the fascinating history of this town.

Lunch: Lunch en route to Calgary.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Glenbow Museum. Explore the colorful western history and heritage of the Canadian west at the Glenbow Museum, western Canada's largest. Hear tales of the RCMP, the Blackfoot people, early European pioneers, whiskey traders, and ground-breaking entrepreneurs. Discover the new permanent exhibit, "Mavericks: An Incorrigible History of Alberta", which illustrates the province's history through the dynamic stories of over 40 mavericks from Western Canada's Past

Dinner: Dinner on your own at the Stampede grounds.

Evening: STAMPEDE EVENT: Event to be confirmed - one option is the Heavy Horse Competition which showcases light, middle, and heavy weight classes of heavy horses as they try to pull loads of over five times their own body weight across various distances. The Pull competitions are fun to watch and it's fascinating to see how powerful these horses really are. Will confirm details as Stampede finalizes and confirms the 2013 lineup.

Lodging: Sandman Hotel and Suites Calgary South

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: PRESENTATION: Calgary and the Calgary Stampede. Introduction to the city of Calgary, highlighting the 'Big Four' founders of the world famous Calgary Stampede. American promoter and trick rider Guy Weadick launched the first rodeo and festival in 1912 in the hopes of establishing an event that more accurately represented the "wild west" than the shows he was a part of. Hear how he convinced several businessmen to put up $100,000 to guarantee funding for the event who came to be known as The Big Four. Over 100,000 people attended the first event in 1912. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the Stampede grounds.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: STAMPEDE EVENT: Rodeo. We will take in one of the rodeo events at the Calgary Stampede with reserved seating. Attend the Rodeo and watch the world's best rodeo athletes - both humans and livestock. Your reserved seat gives you a great view of this major Stampede event. Thrill to the contest between cowboy and stock and see which one comes out on top! There will be additional time before dinner to further explore the grounds and take in more of the activities that the Stampede has to offer.

Dinner: Dinner at the Stampede grounds.

Evening: STAMPEDE EVENT: Will confirm details as Stampede finalizes and confirms the 2013 lineup.

Lodging: Sandman Hotel and Suites Calgary South

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Full Day at the Calgary Stampede/Indian Village/Chuckwagon Races & Grandstand Show

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Calgary Stampede. Enjoy a full day and evening at the Calgary Stampede, 'The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth'. We will have some scheduled activities and participants will have free time to explore the grounds. Aside from our scheduled events, there are lots of other exciting activities to choose from - see a working cow horse competition and rodeo events in the Northern Lights Arena, learn how the West was built with horsepower at Saddledome Lane or visit the Western Oasis and experience artistic excellence in photographs, bronzes, paintings, cooking demos, arts & crafts and western entertainment. We will provide a list of events.

Lunch: Lunch on your own at the Stampede Grounds. There are many venues including The Cantina, Nashville North, Mavericks Dining Room and Lounge: Harvest Room Cafe and The Range.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Indian Village. Learn about the history of the Treaty 7 First Nations historic partnership with the Calgary Stampede. A major part of the Calgary Stampede since its inception in 1912, the Indian Village provides the opportunity for visitors to experience the First Nations traditions and culture first hand. Knowledgeable Native interpreters will guide you through the village to demonstrate the heritage and culture of the Treaty 7 natives.

Dinner: Farewell dinner on the grounds of the Calgary Stampede.

Evening: STAMPEDE EVENT: Chuckwagon Races and Grandstand Show. Your farewell evening begins with the exciting Rangeland Derby and the thundering Chuckwagon Races. The pounding of hooves and trembling of the ground marks the beginning of the world's premier chuckwagon event. Witness all the heart-stopping action as the teams vie for over $1.15 million in prize money! During the Stampede, the races start nightly at 8 pm. Then finish the night with a real blast at the Grandstand Show where it's all about heat, horses and hoof beats. It promises gravity defying sights at dizzying heights and combines equine magnificence, whimsical dreamscapes and spontaneous bursts of pyrotechnic energy. This extravaganza blends music, dancing, singing and spectacle into a remarkable production that is sure to create an unforgettable experience. The climax of the evening is the explosive, award-winning fireworks finale. The show is a blazing ball of energy featuring popular artists, fantastic acrobats and amazing scenes. The Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede are joined by a world-class line-up of performers that will awe you, inspire you and energize you.

Lodging: Sandman Hotel and Suites Calgary South

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel is at 7:30 am.

Morning: Independent departures from the Calgary hotel after breakfast. Hotel check out is 11:00 am.

Meals Included: Breakfast