Interactive series, starring Canadian celebrity Jordan Francis, premieres on Saturday, September 15 at 9:30 a.m. ET (10 a.m. NT). For more information about Cross Country Fun Hunt, a new multi-platform project, go to www.cbc.ca/kids/funhunt
Canadian kids know better than anyone where to find fun in their communities. That’s why Jordan Francis (Camp Rock) and CBC asked them to lead the hunt, sharing the activities and places they love. The result is the show, Cross Country Fun Hunt, premiering Saturday, Sept. 15, which will highlight Canada’s most fun things to do - as chosen by under-16 youth.
From kite boarding in Squamish, B.C. to pole-vaulting in Edmonton, from skateboarding in Winnipeg to mining for gems in Thunder Bay, Ont., Jordan’s journey is truly an epic Canadian road trip that invites kids to join in on the excitement. Some of the other destinations include: Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City, Hampton N.B., Regina, Inuvik, Whistler, B.C. and Canmore, Alberta.
Jordan embarked on his journey July 12, with stops in every province. His travel itinerary followed kids’ suggestions; many stops were chosen by an online vote of the submissions posted by kids highlighting their local fun spots. The most popular places, and their young ambassadors, received a visit.
But the hunt is far from over—during the TV run, kids are encouraged to continue to share what they like to do for fun by uploading videos and pictures of their fun spots and putting their communities on the map. All destinations entered on the Fun Hunt map will be entered in a contest for the series’ grand prize: a Fun Hunt concert for the winning community. Voting will take place in December, and a special concert episode (featuring a special guest) will air on CBC this March.
The interactive, multimedia series allows kids at home to participate in multiple ways at www.cbc.ca/kids/funhunt:
- • Submit videos online to get their local fun spot on the interactive map and have a chance to be nominated to host the Fun Hunt concert in their hometown.
- • Kids who post their destinations will be entered into a contest to win an iPod touch in October.
- • Explore the Fun Hunt map to check out submissions from kids around the country, exclusive webisodes that feature stops along the way, news from Jordan and more.
- • Enter secret codes to win a trip to the concert. Each episode of the series will feature a secret code allowing kids to enter the contest online. (The code will also unlock exclusive footage from the series).
- • Vote on the top fun spot after the season finale on Dec. 1, 2012.
- • Check out great new exclusive music by Jordan. He wrote songs for the series, which will be available each week on iTunes, after each episode airs. (The tracks will eventually be released as a complete album).
Cross Country Fun Hunt, produced by Montreal-based Apartment 11, offers a safe, interactive, social media platform for kids. The site even offers a soapbox for kids to offer moderated shout outs directly to Jordan.
This 12-part series celebrates Canadian kids and offers a unique opportunity for youth to interact and highlight what makes this country - and their communities - great. Canadians have some of the most fun spots in the world in our own backyards. With kids’ help, teen idol Jordan Francis is uncovering them.
About APARTMENT 11 PRODUCTIONS
Founded in 2000 by Jonathan Finkelstein, Montreal-based Apartment 11 Productions is a development and production company committed to creating compelling, story-driven television programming and digital content. Apartment 11 has produced over 300 half-hours of television programming seen by audiences worldwide including In Real Life, Prank Patrol, Mystery Hunters, Edible Incredible, Finding Stuff Out and Way Off Broadway. The company has also received multiple international awards including a Peabody Award, a Prix Jeunesse International Award, and four Gemini Awards, the Canadian industry’s top television award.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus seven languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada celebrated 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.
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