Fall GUIDED School Field Trips
Welcome Back!
We're excited to welcome schools and children back to Prairie Gardens for our fantastic fall field trips!
We have a great selection of programs available: choose from our Pumpkins, Scarecrows & Fall in the County, Rock & Mineral Gem Mine Expedition, Junior Farmer, Turtle Island Indigenous Conservation Program. Enjoy our wide open spaces, mazes, playgrounds, and pumpkin patches! As always, our field trip programs take place outside, which means children should dress for the weather - layers are great.
COST AND CONFIRMATION
1.5 Hour Programs $16.00+GST/student. 3 Hour Program $20.00+GST/student. Turtle Island Indigenous Conservation Program $50.00+GST/student . Teachers, teacher’s aides and our required ratio of parent helpers (1 adult per 5 students) are Free. Additional parents and siblings will be charged the program cost/student. (Babes in arms or strollers are free.)BOOK HERE >
Mondays to Thursdays in September & October Available
DATES AND TIMES: We are booking our “Scarecrows, Pumpkins & Fall in the Country” program now. Guided tours take a full 1½ hours. We are booking for 9:30 am, 11:30 am, and 12:30 pm tours. Please check with your bus company about loading and driving times, as you will want to be prompt in order not to miss a moment of this program. Please call to discuss your tour itinerary.
Turtle Island Indigenous Conservation Program
3-hour Interpretive Program - The objectives of our Turtle Island Conservation program are provided under the guidance and wisdom of Elder Bill Bertschy: 1) To foster respect for self, community, Mother Earth, and the Creator. 2) To recognize and share natural landscapes valued by First Nation communities. 3) To integrate traditional ways of knowing with western science to monitor, protect, and respect natural landscapes. 4) To integrate language, art, and crafts to sustain traditional ways of knowing among non-Aboriginals. 5) To facilitate an understanding of the diversity of First Nations culture and ways of knowing among non-Aboriginals. As part of the program, youth will have numerous hands-on, immersive opportunities to learn about the Medicine Wheel, and the teachings shared by Knowledge Keeper, Elder Bill Bertschy (Prairie Gardens' Resident Elder)$50.00/student + GST For more information about this program, please email reserve@prairiegardens.org.LOST LEMON GEM MINE
Children are provided with mini buckets of "paydirt" ore to take to the sluice to pan for real gems to take home. The kids will be delighted to find gems in their sieves as the water washes away the sand. This is followed by a gem and mineral investigation and discussion. Temperature sensitive – water sluice does not operate below freezing.
TAKE HOME: You will take home some great follow-up activity ideas for your classroom! Each student will take home some fall “scavenger hunt” finds, and one of the following items depending on your program: A) Mini Pumpkin & Gems, B) Mini Pumpkin, C) Gems, D) Mini Pumpkin. Extra pumpkins for parents & siblings cost $2 each.
LUNCH AREA & FOOD OPTIONS
BYO Lunch to eat at a Private Outdoor Picnic Area -- $50.00+GST. We offer a private INDOOR lunch seating area for $75.00+GST. (Optional) Lunch Options:- BBQ all beef hot dog, drink & chips for $7
- Roasted Dilly Garlic Potatoes - Our famous dill & garlic roasted farm potatoes; sour cream on side $7
- Pumpkin Pie, Popsicles, and Little Bear Gelato cups are available ($5).
- Lunch areas (outside or indoors) must be booked when placing a lunch order (i.e. BBQ Hot Dog Lunch). All lunch orders must be pre-booked & pre-paid. Refunds given with one-week cancellation notice.
- Please note: there are NO water fountains/re-fill stations on the farm. Make sure to bring enough water and refreshments to last the entirety of your trip. Please do not bring hot lunches as there are no microwaves available.
Dear Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grades 1-3 Teachers: We have some wonderful options for field trips at our farm!
A) Combined All Day Junior Farmer Tour - Pumpkins and Gem Mining Cost: $20.00/person + GST
B) Pumpkins, Scarecrows Fall in the Country Program 1.5 hour Tour Cost: $16.00/person + GST
C) Gem Mine Expedition, Maze, and Petting Farm with Train Ride. Cost $16.00/person + GST
D) Turtle Island Indigenous Conservation Program 3 hours $50.00/person + GST
A typical field trip begins on the bus with a welcome and program introduction, followed by safety instructions for the wagon ride. Please ensure children and volunteers are dressed appropriately for fall weather! Winter boots, scarves, hats, mittens, and warm jackets are best if it is cold. As this is a rural working farm, please prepare children for the ‘outhouse’ experience.
AROUND THE FARM
- The children will get ‘lost’ in a maze
- Pet the farm goats, sheep, and bunnies while visiting the petting farm
- Learn about pumpkins, and see pumpkins in our indoor ‘Pumpkin Land’ or outdoor Pumpkin Patch
- Team-build real life-size scarecrows with straw
- If they are brave, go through the (optional) spooktacular Haunted Pumpkin Festival attractions – including the Haunted House, Cemetery, and 'Boon' Accord
WAGON RIDE & SNACK TIME
Children will love the wagon ride! All are invited to enjoy a Halloween Cookie. Please advise children to bring a beverage. The children will have this time to enjoy their cookies while sitting on straw bale seats.
WHAT IF IT RAINS OR SNOWS? We will do as many outdoor activities as the weather will
allow. We have room inside to hold an alternate program including the petting farm, pumpkin
greenhouse, & scarecrow-making indoors.
“BOO”-TIQUE SHOPPING: Visit our farm shop Pumpkins galore, tricks or treats, and Halloween fun.
Looking for SELF-GUIDED field trips on Fridays? Click here!
