June 19 is our last date for a 10 am guided field trip this spring. For local groups, consider an afternoon program from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Or book a self-guided or virtual program!
Preschool Programs
Booking Information
Program Seasons
Spring guided programs run from March 3 to 14 and March 31 to June 20. Fall guided programs run from September 15 to November 21. Guided programs run Monday to Friday mornings and begin at 10 am. Select programs are also available at 12:30 pm.
If you’re interested in programs outside of our normal school program season, check out our self-guided or virtual field trips!
Booking a Program
After reading through this page, fill out the booking form below. We have open, ongoing booking for our programs. Please note our fees do change slightly from year to year.
Our staff will confirm your booking if space is available, or contact you for more information if needed. Once confirmed, our cancellation policy will apply (details below).
In order to allow as many groups as possible to come on a field-trip with us, groups can book a maximum of 3 field-trips per season.
Preschool Program Fees
Our program fees vary according to group size and the duration of the program.
2025 Preschool Fees:
- $108.00 for up to 12 children for guided programs
- $200.00 for 13 to 24 children for guided programs
- $3.00 per child for virtual programs and self-guided programs (Eye Spy)
- $2.00 per child to visit the Ecology Centre and watch a nature video
Minimum cost of $60.00 for virtual programs with less than 20 children. Minimum cost of $30.00 for self-guided programs with less than 10 children.
Note that we only run one class field trip at a time (maximum 24 preschoolers).
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 will be charged a $25 administration fee.
Program Options
Available March to June and September to November.
Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 11:30 am or 1:00 to 2:30 pm.
For groups of up to 24 children ages 3 to 5.
What’s For Lunch?
The forest is full of food. Discover the food chains of Lynn Canyon Park! Read a story, search for animal food, and view forest life up close with our amazing projector!
Earth Explorers
Look out below! If you love worms, mud, and fossils, this program will help you explore the world beneath your feet. See fossils from Walter Draycott’s collections, and learn about animals that use rocks and soil as their home.
Going Buggy
Do your students just love bugs? Search for little critters in the forest and learn about the importance of our local invertebrates through outdoor exploration and a story.
30 minutes self-guided Ecology Centre visit. Available all year round during our open hours.
Maximum 30 children plus adults.
Cost: $3.00 per child* (minimum cost of $30.00 for groups with less than 10 children).
Eye Spy
Go on a scavenger hunt to discover nature pictures hidden in the Ecology Centre displays.
Optional: enjoy a nature video in our theatre.
*For classes coming on a guided program, you can add on an Eye Spy at a discounted rate. Fees are $50 for larger classes (13-30 students) and $25 for smaller classes (up to 12 students).
Available all year round. Mondays to Friday at 10:00 to 10:45 am or 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm.
Cost: $3.00 per child (minimum cost of $60 for groups with less than 20 children).
These virtual programs are best suited for children ages 3 – 5.
What’s for Lunch?
The forest is full of food and animals need to find it. Discover the food chains of Lynn Canyon Park! We’ll read a story and learn about the local creatures here in the forest.
Earth Explorers
If you love worms, soil, and fossils, this program will help you explore the world beneath your feet. We’ll show you fossils from Walter Draycott’s collections, and learn about animals that use rocks and soil as their home.
Going Buggy
Do the children in your preschool or daycare love bugs? We’ll read a buggy story, think about where bugs like to live and look at some live bugs from the forest in Lynn Canyon Park.
Park Use Permits
Park Use Permits are required for all groups running programs or events in District of North Vancouver Parks. Please visit the North Vancouver Recreation Commission (NVRC) website and fill out the Park Use Permit application. Apply at least 2 weeks in advance of your visit. If you book a program with the Ecology Centre, you do not need to apply for a Park Use Permit.
Additional Options
Room Rental
Looking for an indoor space for your visit to Lynn Canyon Park? We rent out the upper room in the Lynn Canyon Cafe. This room can hold 40 people classroom/theatre style or 25 people around tables. Please go to our Room Rental page for more information and fill out the inquiry form if you are interested in booking.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
How to Prepare for the Field Trip
Review the information sent to you by e-mail. View a map of the field trip area here.
Plan to arrive in the park at least 15 minutes before your program begins for a snack and washroom break. 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 students and adults 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. The undercover picnic tables can be booked in advance through the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission (NVRC).
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. *The community shuttle cannot hold an entire class.
- Private bus. All buses entering the park are required to purchase a bus permit. We give out complimentary bus permits to group coming to the Ecology Centre for programs. If you are only coming for a museum visit, you will be required to purchase a bus permit.
- 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. District residents are eligible to purchase a $10 (+GST) seasonal DNV Park Parking Pass that will enable them to park in the lot without paying the hourly rate. More information is available here.