Wednesday

Explore how different world views from time immemorial to today have shaped the fate of North Vancouver’s forests. 

Program Highlights:  

• Tree identification game  

• Analysis of Coast Salish belongings and artifacts  

• Moodyville image and/or document analysis  

• Students try a cross-cut saw!  

With connections to the science and socials curricula, students will find out how the North Shore mountains and other landforms have impacted the development of communities here over time. 

Program Highlights:  

• A Coast Salish legend

• Image and artifact analysis

• Hands-on erosion experiment

• Exploration of common rocks and minerals from the North Shore mountains

Our field trips provide an opportunity for children to see and learn about a working certified organic farm and to discuss important social and ecological aspects of food production in our area.

Barkerville Historic Town & Park, situated in BC's central interior on the traditional territories of the Lhtako Dene Nation and Secwépemc Peoples, offers an immersive journey into BC’s gold rush era, with over 125 restored heritage buildings, museums, shops, and engaging living history programs. Declared a National Historic Site in 1924, Barkerville brings to life the story of the 1860s gold rush. Students and teachers can experience gold panning, stagecoach rides, live demonstrations, cultural programs, guided tours, and performances at the Theatre Royal. Barkerville’s 2026 Main Season programming begins on May 30th, and school groups receive a special admission rate, with most programming included except for the theatre, stagecoach, gold panning, and photo studio. Because some programs are very popular and fill quickly, teachers can book ahead and check availability; detailed information on booking, pricing, accommodations, and dining options is available at barkerville.ca/schools. With single day and two day admission rates and rich curriculum aligned activities, Barkerville provides an unforgettable educational journey into BC’s golden beginnings.

It is 1918, four years after the devastating rockslide at Hell’s Gate that blocked millions of Fraser River salmon from reaching their spawning grounds. Salmon stocks have plummeted, and the low stocks are threatening the future of the fishing industry. A commission of stakeholders has been called to determine how to help the species recover from this disaster.

Students will role play and work together to solve the problem. The 1914 Hell’s Gate rockslide and its consequences provide a historic example of the complexities of natural resource management that is still relevant today.

This program makes connections between all six Historical Thinking Principles; historical causes of today’s environmental concerns; and the shared history of BC, including topics of social justice, science, and Indigenous issues. The program takes a historical event and dramatizes it for relevant contemporary conversations that can be held in the classroom.

Bring your class to The Reach for an interactive field trip that connects art, history, and culture to the curriculum in fun and meaningful ways. Students explore exhibitions through guided tours, hands-on activities, and creative projects that encourage critical thinking and personal connections.

Tour Options:

• Tour & Try – Exhibition tour + art activity (70–90 min) – $10/person

• Tour Only – Exhibition tour (30–45 min) – $7/person

• The Reach + Clearbrook Library – Tour & Try + Storytime and new Library Cards (2 hrs) – $10/person at The Reach, free at the Library

Exhibitions & Activities:

• Parallax(e): Perspectives on the Canada–U.S. Border – Explore how borders shape communities, cultures, and ecosystems. Includes a scavenger hunt for added fun!

• Collective Making – Get hands-on by painting your own “Personal Geography,” exploring Stó:lō waterways on an interactive map, and learning about the border through creative activities.

• Voices of the Valley – Discover Abbotsford’s past through artifacts, photos, and documents. Interactive touchscreens let students dig into primary sources while exploring stories of how our community has grown and changed.

Details:

• Open to groups of all ages and abilities

• Available Tuesday–Friday

• Maximum group size: 90 at The Reach / 120 with Library partnership

• One adult chaperone per 10 students - teachers & chaperones free entry

Make history and art come alive for your students—book your group tour today!