PACE 2016 Planning Has Begun!

Posted by Gurinder Walia 
on Mar 31, 2016
 
 

(Last year's participants pictured, right to left: Will (Australia), Arpad (Hungary), Francesca (Italy), Liz (New Zealand), Nadine (Switzerland), Aditya (India))

With summer just around the corner, the 8 Rotaract Clubs of District 5040 as well as Clubs from other Districts (Victoria) are very excited to be planning the 6th annual Pacific Canada Experience (PACE). This year’s trip will run from August 25th to September 4th.

PACE, a unique experience in Canada, serves, first and foremost, as a cultural exchange. Our Clubs work together to invite six Rotaractors from around the world to the BC Lower Mainland to learn more about their culture while sharing ours.  Last year, our participants came from Australia, New Zealand, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, and India. Included in the trip are presentations by attendees about about them, their countries, and their Rotaract Clubs. PACE is an opportunity to build and strengthen global Rotary ties, while building friendships and creating lasting memories.

The six attendees spend ten action-packed  days exploring various parts of Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, Richmond, Burnaby. The visitors are guided by local Rotaractors and Rotarians and shown some of the well-known tourist attractions such as Grouse Mountain (including the Grouse Grind), the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the PNE, and Stanley Park.

Service is an integral aspect of the PACE program. Last year, we took our visitors  to Eagle Creek and spent the morning building a water channel in the area, to support fish habitation. In 2013, participants attended the RCMP musical ride at Swangard Stadium, where they worked with local Rotarians and Rotaractors to entertain guests and run the event. This year we intend to return to Eagle Creek again and make it a legacy project.

PACE has been done to tremendous acclaim every year. Past participants are often  ecstatic they are able to see as much of BC  as they do, while still participating in service, cultural exchange, and networking with the Rotary community. PACE guests highly praise the project and always state that they cannot wait to return to Vancouver in the future.

Here’s what some of our participants  said about our trip last year:

  • “PACE was one of the best trips in my life...if not the best. Beautiful hikes, picturesque landscapes, friendly and kind people, awesome food, amazing activities, great company. Canada and Vancouver are everything I expected and even more. Thanks to the organizers, who did and an amazing job, that sets an example for trips all around the world to follow.”

  • “About how to improve PACE: Simply don’t stop. It’s difficult to portray enough in text, but I hope you, and the Rotarian sponsors, know the value of this trip. We meant what we said at the final BBQ – it was an amazing and unforgettable experience.”

  • “PACE was a once in a lifetime trip without a doubt. I met some amazing people and feel I really got to know Vancouver whilst seeing some other parts of beautiful Canada. There were so many things to see and do and great people to meet. I certainly won't forget this trip or the people I made it with!”

  • “I am so thankful for this experience about culture, willingness, involvement and service above self, enthusiasm and most important: friendship. The committee, participating local Rotaractors, Rotarians, friends and family of those involved are open-minded and provide you a home away from home. I left my heart in Vancouver. Thanks, PACE2015!”

This year’s committee is dedicated to making this year’s PACE the best yet. We hope many Rotarians and Rotaractors will join us for what is going to be, without a doubt, a fantastic experience once again! If you would like to help us with this amazing project, look for our upcoming sponsorship emails, which have now been sent out.