Fall 2023 – Elementary School Programs
Booking Information
Program Seasons
The Ecology Centre has a fall and spring school program season. Fall in-person programs begin September 18, 2023 and end November 17, 2023. Spring in-person programs begin the first week of April and end on the third week of June. In-person programs run Monday to Friday mornings and begin at 10 am. If you’re interested in programs outside of our normal school program season, check out our self-guided programs or virtual field trips!
Booking a School Program
Fill out the form below! One of our staff members will review your information and contact you with the next steps to confirm a booking, or to request more information if needed. We will respond to inquiries in the order they are received. You can also book a field trip over the phone during the week at 604-990-3755 or by email at [email protected].
In order to allow as many schools as possible to come on a field trip with us, schools can book a maximum of 3 field trips per season.
School Program Fees
Our program fees vary according to group size and the duration of the program. Our 2023 fees are:
Kindergarten to Grade 7
- Up to 12 students – $98.00
- 13 to 30 students – $174.50
- $3.00 – per student for virtual programs and self-guided programs (Eye Spy, Eco Quest, Forest Quest)
- $2.00 – per student to visit the Ecology Centre and watch a nature video
Minimum cost of $30.00 for self-guided and virtual programs with less than 10 children.
Note that we only run one class field trip at a time (maximum 30 students). For schools wanting to bring more than one class, please consider our self-guided programs.
Cancellation Policy
Guided field trips that are cancelled with more than 3 weeks notice will be charged a $50 fee. Guided field trips that are cancelled with less than 3 weeks notice will be charged the full program fee.
Any self-guided or virtual program cancellations or no shows will be charged a $25 administration fee.
Stream programs are unavailable for Fall 2023 due to construction.
Program Options
Super Survivors
Runs September to November, and April to June
10 am to 12 pm. K to 3
How do animals and plants survive in the cool, wet, temperate rainforest? From magnificent mayflies to the spectacular salmonberry, learn about the amazing adaptations of animals and plants and discover the diversity of forest life. Through hands-on and sensory activities, explore how animals and plants work together to create a thriving ecosystem.
No Bones About It
Runs September to November, and April to June
10 am to 12:00 pm. K to 7
Discover the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates. Take a close-up look at the interesting features of vertebrate skulls, bones, teeth, and claws. Learn about the amazing adaptations that help temperate rainforest animals thrive in this cool, wet environment.
Once Upon a Tree
Runs September to November, and April to June
10 am to 12:30 pm. Grades 2 and 3
Deep in Lynn Canyon Park live giant plants that clean the air and water and create food and habitats for animals. What are they? Trees of course! In this program, students will learn about the life cycles of these giant plants, discover how trees grow food and create habitats, and learn about the connections between trees and the soil, air, and water cycles.
BC Biodiversity
Runs September to November, and April to June
10 am to 12:30 pm. Grades 4 to 7
British Columbia is rich in plants, animals, and habitats! This program explores the concept of biodiversity with a fun indoor introduction, followed by a hands-on outdoor field study. By exploring microhabitats in the park, students gain an appreciation for the biodiversity of the rainforest and discover how different animals and plants survive in this wet and diverse environment.
Building a Rainforest
Runs September to November, and April to June
10 am to 12:30 pm. Grades 4 to 7
What makes the temperate rainforest unique? Discover how our forest is different from other ecosystems around the world. Through field studies, we will learn about the building blocks of ecosystems and discover how light levels, water, and nutrient cycles help build a temperate rainforest in Lynn Canyon Park. Head outside to explore the connections between the plants and animals of the temperate rainforest, and peer into the miniature worlds of the rainforest with our magnifying projector.
No Bones About It
Runs September to November, and April to June
10 am to 12:00 pm. Grades 4 to 7
Discover the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates. Take a close-up look at the interesting features of vertebrate skulls, bones, teeth, and claws. Learn about the amazing adaptations that help temperate rainforest animals thrive in this cool, wet environment.
Monday to Friday from 1 pm – 2 pm.
Cost: $3.00 per student.
What Bug Is That?
Kindergarten to Grade 7
Get excited about the tiny creatures that live in Lynn Canyon Park. This on-line program features a short introduction to invertebrate biology and a live video session with some local animals such as slugs, worms, and woodbugs. We’ll also take a close-up look at a few of our tiny friends under a powerful magnifier.
No Bones About It
Kindergarten to Grade 7
Discover the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates. In this workshop, you’ll take a close-up look at invertebrates and then look at the interesting features of vertebrate skulls, bones, teeth, and claws. You’ll also learn about the adaptations that help temperate rainforest animals thrive in this cool, wet environment.
Once Upon A Tree
Kindergarten to Grade 7
What is a tree, and how does it work? Your students will learn how trees make their own food and how they are part of the soil, air, and water cycles of the temperate rainforest. They will also discover how a diversity of trees and other plants creates habitat for local wildlife.
Take Flight
Grade 4 to Grade 7
Hop, dive, and flutter your way to this on-line workshop about birds! In this program, you’ll learn about the evolution and adaptations of birds. We’ll discover the feeding and nesting habits of local birds and the remarkable ways that different birds find niches in the temperate rainforest ecosystem.
The World Under Your Feet
Grade 4 to Grade 7
Soil is much more than rocks and old leaves – it’s a vibrant ecosystem. Since people walk on top of the soil, we often don’t consider what’s underneath. Your students will explore how soil is made, the layers of the soil, and the animals, plants, and fungi that both rely on and help create a healthy ecosystem.
BC Biodiversity
Grade 4 to Grade 7
What is biodiversity, and why is it important? In this on-line field trip, your students will learn about genetic, species, and habitat diversity. We will explore British Columbia’s diverse ecosystems from deserts to rainforests and learn how local plants and animals are well-adapted to our temperate rainforest ecosystem.
These group programs are for a maximum of 30 children plus adults.
Cost: $3.00 per child. Minimum cost of $30.00 for groups of less than 10 children.
Phone: 604-990-3755 to book a time
Eye Spy
Grades K to 2 – maximum 30 children plus adults
30 minute self-guided Ecology Centre tour – $3.00 per child
Go on a scavenger hunt to discover nature pictures hidden in the Ecology Centre displays. Receive a small prize when you complete the Eye Spy booklet and then enjoy a nature video in our theatre. Free if booked with a guided program.
Eco Quest
Grades 3 to 7 – maximum 30 children plus adults
45 minute self-guided Ecology Centre tour – $3.00 per child
Go on a quest for nature knowledge! The Eco Quest takes your students through the Ecology Centre’s displays. Get interactive with our displays as you find the answers to the scavenger hunt questions and decode the secret message. Receive a small prize when you complete the Eco Quest booklet and then enjoy a nature video in our theatre. Free if booked with a guided program.
Forest Quest
Grades 2 to 7 – maximum 30 children plus adults
1.5 hour self-guided rainforest tour – $3.00 per child
Take your students on an educational adventure that combines a treasure hunt and ecology knowledge! Led by clues and a forest map, your students will decode the mysteries of temperate rainforest plants and animals, searching for the secret of life in the rainforest. You’ll also have a chance to view forest life up close with our amazing projector!
Additional Programs
Storm Drain Marking Kits
Grades 1 to 7
Salmon and other wildlife are susceptible to pollution entering rivers, streams and the ocean from storm drains. Place fish symbols on the storm drains and let others know that these drains lead to local waterways. Phone 604-990-3755 or email us at [email protected] to book a kit. Watch the instructional video here.
Trail and Habitat Restoration
Volunteer in our District of North Vancouver parks to remove invasive plants, plant native species, and restore park areas. Please go to the District of North Vancouver Volunteer in a Park page for more information.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
How to Prepare for the Field Trip
- To get ready for your visit, please review information sent to you by e-mail.
- Plan to arrive in the park at 9:45 am to leave 15 minutes for a snack and toilet break before you come into the Ecology Centre. This is especially important if you are visiting with younger children. There is no snack break during the program.
- It’s often wet in the mountains, even if it’s not raining elsewhere in Metro Vancouver. Make sure that students and adult assistants are dressed for the weather. Please ask your students and assistants to come wearing layers, with waterproof boots and a waterproof jacket. Rain pants are also highly recommended!
- Remind adult assistants that the forest is a great place to unwind… and unplug. Please leave electronic devices at home. If you’d like to take photographs, keep your camera or phone in a zippered pocket during the rest of the field trip to make sure that it is safe and dry.
When you arrive at the Ecology Centre, check in at the front desk. As your students explore the Centre, our program staff will speak with you about the program and the learning needs of your group.
If you are planning on eating lunch after the program, please note there are undercover picnic tables located between the upper and lower parking lots.
Getting to the Park
Lynn Canyon Park is easy to access.
- Public transit. Take the #227 community shuttle to Peters Road at Duval Road or the #228 bus to Burrill Avenue and Lynn Valley Road.
- Private bus. Bus parking is limited. Please notify us in advance if you will be arriving by private bus so we can make arrangements for parking.
- Car. If you’re visiting with parent drivers, the closest parking to the Ecology Centre is the upper paved parking lot. Pay parking is in effect seasonally from March 1 to October 31. Parking is $3 per hour, for a maximum of 4 hours. The parking meter only accepts credit cards. District residents are eligible to purchase a $10 annual DNV Park Parking Pass that will enable them to park in the lot without paying the hourly rate. More information is available here.