December

In this one-hour program, students are introduced to contemporary and historical Indigenous uses of selected plants on MOA’s grounds. In small groups, students find, identify and answer questions about plant species and share their findings with the class. Students explore methods for using plants for food, medicine, dyes and belongings based on Indigenous knowledge. Hands-on engagement with belongings from the teaching collection helps students understand how they are created and used. The goal of the program is to encourage discussions about sustainability, stewardship and our shared responsibilities by learning about the cultural significance of plants and incorporating Indigenous perspectives.

To book this program, please submit a booking request.

https://moa.ubc.ca/school-programs/types/indigenous-plants-and-connections/

In this 90-minute program, students learn about the cedar tree and the variety of cultural belongings created from its trunk, bark and roots. A presentation of images and maps introduces the historical and ongoing importance of cedar trees to the First Nations of the Northwest Coast.

A tour through the galleries illustrates the depth of knowledge required to create cedar belongings such as bentwood boxes, baskets and canoes. The tour is followed by a hands-on classroom activity with students interacting with a range of belongings and tools, learning directly from handling, looking and listening.

To book this program, please submit a booking request.

https://moa.ubc.ca/school-programs/types/cedar-tree-of-life/

This large-format, illustrated book and Teacher's Package look at the history, traditions and culture of the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. Written by Squamish language teacher Khelsilem, the book highlights significant aspects of traditional and contemporary cultures.

The Kit includes lesson plans for intermediate or secondary levels that encourage discussion and critical thinking at all grade levels. Also available in French: Le livre des peuples autochtones a Vancouver Nord.

Format: The Kit comes with one hardcover copy of the book as well as an electrionic copy of it, 22 laminate pages from the book, and lesson plans for intermediate or secondary grades.

Visit https://monova.ca/indigenous-peoples-in-north-vancouver/ to view the intermediate and secondary teacher's guides.

The Vancouver Writers Fest is one of the largest, and most prestigious literary festivals in North America. The 2020 Festival takes place ONLINE from October 19-25, 2020. In addition to the programming we offer adults, we also hold events specifically for K-12 students.

Through our youth educational outreach programs, we offer students the opportunity to interact with celebrated writers from across the globe in designed specifically for young people, teachers, schools and student groups. Each year, we reach more than 7,000 students across British Columbia—in the classroom or at the Festival.

This year our youth education outreach programming will include:

10+ weekday Festival virtual events featuring presentations and discussions with engaging authors from Canada and around the world, programmed with BC curriculum goals in mind. Some of the authors particpating in the Festival this year are Kenneth Oppel, Oliver Jeffers, Steven Heighton, Jess Keating, Christy Jordan-Fenton, David A. Robertson, and many more!

All our events are pay what you can this year.

Writers in the Classroom: 10+ events where writers meet students for reading, writing and/or drawing workshops on Microsoft Teams or Zoom. 

Learn to ski or snowboard at Grouse Mountain! Students will develop skills and good sportsmanship in a fun and playful winter environment.

One and four day sessions available.

Please visit our PureClean initiatives for the health and safety of our guests.

Fun for all ages! Join our experienced guides for outdoor adventure program sessions.

Snowshoe Tours: Wander through the snowy trails exploring the sub-alpine forest of the Coastal Mountain Range. Students will learn outdoor safety and survival skills and avalanche awareness. Duration: 1.5 hours

Alpine Wilderness Survival: A blend of hands-on survival skills and outdoor adventure experiences, neatly bound by friendly group competition. Duration: ull Day

Scavenger Hunts: The Mountain Scavenger Hunt takes school groups on an adventure to stunning locations and hidden hideouts of Grouse Mountain. Duration: 3 hours

Mountain Ropes Adventure: A series of four aerial ropes courses with varying degrees of difficulty. Balance, jump, climb, swing and zip your way to the finish! School group pricing available. Duration: variable

Ziplining: Our dual-line, five-line circuit gives you an adrenaline-pumping tour across the peaks and canyons of Grouse and Dam Mountains. School group pricing available. Tour Duration: 2 hrs

The health and safety of our guests and team members is our highest priority. We want you to enjoy everything Grouse Mountain has to offer with absolute confidence so we developed Grouse Mountain Resort PureClean to elevate our existing high standards of hygiene and cleanliness procedures.

Pretty much everyone in Metro Vancouver knows about Stanley Park. It’s world famous for its dense forest, spectacular views, seawall, beaches, and fabulous trails. The park even won the title of “World’s Greatest Park” in a TripAdvisor contest. But while the park hosts millions of people every year, very few come away from their visit with any knowledge of the park’s remarkable social history.

Stanley Park is not an untouched rainforest. It was home to local Coast Salish people for thousands of years before it became a park, and even for decades afterwards. Numerous villages dotted the shoreline, including Whoi Whoi, which hosted large potlaches and from where a delegation sailed to meet Captain George Vancouver as he explored the area in 1792.

The story of the forced eviction of indigenous people from the land that would become Stanley Park is a shocking background to the park’s creation. Some mixed race indigenous and European families were able to fight back against the City’s onslaught of lawsuits, and keep their homes in the park near Brockton Point until the 1950s. Today their memory and resilience is honoured by the statue Shore to Shore, by Salish artist Luke Marston, which we visit on the tour.

The creation of the park was also about more than creating a space for Vancouverites to enjoy afternoon strolls and picnics. The land was originally intended as a military reserve, established to protect the city should the Americans decide to invade. After it became clear that wouldn’t happen, real estate developers, the Canadian Pacific Railway, the City of Vancouver, and the Federal Government all battled for control of the land. The fact it became a park illustrates the colossal power the CPR once had in Vancouver. 

Throw into the mix the tale of Deadman’s Island, stories of true crime, smallpox pest houses, buried treasure, public art, crow shoots and poetry and you’ll find that despite its beauty, there’s a lot more to Stanley Park than meets the eye!

A unique field trip for students from Grade 5 – University:

• Duration – 2 hours
• Start and end point – Outside the Vancouver Aquarium entrance by the whale fountain at 845 Avison Way