The Pacific Canada Experience (PACE) is a round trip experience hosted by Rotaract District 5040 aimed at fostering global ties and intercultural exchange. Six international Rotaractors are chosen to take part in an authentic 10-day experience of Western Canada facilitated by Rotaractors within the district.
Participants can expect various activities and outings featuring a unique blend of nature, city, and eco-friendly living. Designed to explore several interesting places within the province of British Columbia, specifically within Rotaract Districts 5040 and 5020, participants are slated to kayak around Vancouver's Burrard Inlet, hike the Grouse Grind, take a scenic tour of the city of Victoria (our provincial capital), explore Whistler Village, volunteer with local Rotaractors, and so much more!
Please note: the activities mentioned above are subject to change if new opportunities become available.
Following a successful application process, six Rotaractors will be invited to join this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Participants should arrive by the evening of Thursday, 21 August 2025, ready to begin the trip on the 22nd. The program ends on 31 August 2025.
Thanks to sponsorship from Rotary and Rotaract clubs in District 5040, the program fee for each participant is $500 CAD. This fee covers meals, activity costs, accommodation, and transportation within the district during the program.
The cost of flights to and from Vancouver, as well as personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, international health insurance), are not included.
In previous years, participants visited the following cities in British Columbia: Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Victoria, Squamish, Whistler, North Vancouver, Coquitlam, and Port Moody. During those visits, they got to:
Take a picturesque ferry ride to Victoria - BC’s capital - and explore the city's history
Hike the Stawamus Chief in Squamish for a breathtaking view of Howe Sound
Conquer the Grouse Grind hiking trail step by step in North Vancouver
Taste cuisines from various cultures
Tour historic sites to learn about the heritage and culture of the Indigenous peoples in the Vancouver area
Volunteer in our communities with local Rotaract clubs
Go kayaking and paddle boarding around the Burrard Inlet and Deep Cove
Best of all, experience the unique Rotaract fellowship with Rotaractors of West Coast Canada
Check out some photos of past PACE trips on Facebook.
British Columbia is known for its breathtaking outdoor landscape, nestled between the mountains and the ocean. To provide an authentic experience, the PACE program includes two physically challenging hikes. All successful applicants should be generally healthy and physically fit. The hikes will elevate heart rates, but with a bit of fitness, water, hiking shoes or runners, a positive attitude, and perseverance, they’re achievable by people aged 5 to 80. The Grouse Grind has been nicknamed “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster".
All participants are expected to take part in activities to the best of their ability and communicate any exceptions clearly and in advance.
BC is located between the Coast Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean, offering a perfect balance of city and nature. Home to Canada’s third-largest metropolitan area - Metro Vancouver - the province features lush green forests, towering mountains, and vivid sunsets over the Salish Sea. Since hosting the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Metro Vancouver has blossomed into a vibrant urban centre with a buzzing nightlife.
Metro Vancouver comprises 21 municipalities, one electoral area, and one treaty First Nation. It is a multicultural region that caters to a diverse population. The city of Vancouver, the region’s largest urban centre, is consistently ranked among the most livable cities in the world. Often referred to as a “city of neighbourhoods,” Vancouver features a range of ethnic commercial areas, each with its own distinct character and charm.