Objective and scope

Consistent with the requirements of the Treasury Board Policy on Results (2016) and associated directive, this evaluation examines the relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency of the Learn-to Camp (LTC) Program for the period between 2017-18 and 2024-25. The evaluation was guided by the following questions:

Relevance

To what extent does the Learn-to Camp Program address the needs and interests of its target groups?

To what extent does the Learn-to Camp Program align with Parks Canada strategic priorities, as well as federal government priorities?

Effectiveness

To what extent do the Learn-to Camp program components meet their objectives and targets?

Efficiency

To what extent does the program’s design, including its regional hub model, contribute to the efficient delivery of Learn-to Camp and Learn-to Paddle activities and events?

Key findings

Relevance

The Learn-to Camp Program was found to be well-aligned with Parks Canada’s mandate to connect Canadians with Canada’s natural and cultural heritage and strategic priorities tied to the diversification of its visitor base. Initially launched in 2011 before being expanded in 2017, the Program was also adaptable to emerging priorities, such as transitioning to virtual programming in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Program’s design was found to be grounded in an understanding of the barriers to nature experienced by its target audiences. However, further analyses of its relevance to its audiences were limited by gaps in the data collected from program participants.

Effectiveness

Program Reach: While the COVID-19 pandemic limited the Program’s attendance levels between 2020-21 and 2022-23, the Learn-to Camp Program surpassed its annual reach target of 100,000 contacts and participants in both 2019-20 and 2023-24.

Expected Outcomes: Data collected during overnight camping events and Learn-to Paddle sessions indicated that participants found the events to be highly enjoyable and effective at teaching new skills. Local programming partners described Learn-to Camp activities as memorable and welcoming to diverse groups.

Akin to the analysis of the Program’s relevance to target audiences, exploration of the Learn-to Camp Program’s long-term impacts on barriers to outdoor recreation and time spent in nature were limited by gaps in participant data.

Efficiency

The Learn-to Camp Program was found to be well-resourced and efficient, allowing for program offerings to be free or set at affordable levels for participants.

In addition, local and national partnerships were effectively leveraged, reducing overall equipment costs and helping urban hubs to reach and serve target audiences.

Recommendation 1

The Vice-President, Strategic Policy, Business and Digital Services, should ensure that data collection commitments included in approved funding proposals for the measurement of program performance are clearly communicated to the relevant internal service business units (which may include the Office of Internal Audit and Evaluation, Access to Information and Privacy,  GBA Plus, and Performance and Analytics) and that resulting actions are confirmed between those business units and the program staff.

While monitoring performance is the responsibility of program staff, ensuring internal service business units receive updates and confirm required actions would provide opportunities to:

• Confirm that program performance indicators align with those established in Parks Canada’s Performance Information Profiles, or that any new performance indicators are added to those profiles;
• Ensure that performance data collection strategies are in place, including GBA Plus data requirements;
• Clarify policies and procedures, such as those governing the collection of personal information and means of protecting privacy; and,
• Ensure public opinion research components of planned evaluations are included in Parks Canada’s Risk-Based Audit and Evaluation Plan, as required.

Management response

Agreed. The Vice-President, Strategic Policy, Business and Digital Services (SPBD), will ensure that the outcomes of successful funding proposals that include program performance measurement commitments are communicated to relevant internal service business units. SPBD will also confirm with program areas and relevant internal service business units that required performance measurement elements are understood and addressed, including alignment with Parks Canada’s Performance Information Profiles, data collection strategies (including GBA+ considerations), and privacy requirements related to personal information. The Office of Internal Audit and Evaluation will ensure that evaluation planning requirements from successful funding proposals are integrated into the annual Risk-Based Audit and Evaluation Plan.