K-12 School Class Field Trip Booking Form
This form can also be used by non-school youth groups, and for post-secondary classes that wish to take advantage of our educational programs.
Important Notes
- Fees are $125/hour + GST for VIU educator‐led programs (see variations below).
- School groups are limited to 30 students.
- Transportation is the responsibility of the school/teacher.
- School classes may use classroom or outdoor areas for lunch or snack if not in use.
- Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to ensure that your program begins on time.
Attention Teachers: Plan Field Trips Early!
Secure your preferred dates now for an enriching educational experience using the form below.
Classroom Program dates for fall 2024 are now full. We really appreciate all the interest from teachers in marine STEM education.
We continue to welcome field trip requests for spring 2025.
Spring/Summer Intertidal Programs ('Beach Field School') are tide-dependant and only are offered in spring, summer and fall when the lowest tides are happening. We are now booking for spring 2025, however the full tide tables have not yet been published so our available dates list is not yet posted here. In late November 2024 it will be posted so that you can select dates. You can check your own dates of interest at the Fisheries and Oceans Tides page at https://tides.gc.ca/en/stations/07955 (this link is for Denman Island, our nearest tide station).
Wanting to book more than one class, or more than one program for a single class on one date? No problem!
We often have two classes visit from one school on the same day to reduce transportation (bus) costs and carbon emissions. From September to mid-May we can only accommodate one VIU educator-led class activity at a time due to limited space and staff availability, but the second class can do a scavenger hunt activity while they wait their turn for the programmed activity. This teacher-guided activity is more structured than free exploration of the site, and includes worksheets, clip boards and pencils. For example, one class does Killer Whale Commotion while the other is outside.
You can also book two programs on one day for one class, one after the other, however for reasons of space and staff availability, one must be a Guided Tour (e.g. Amazing Adaptations and Guided Tour, not Amazing Adaptations and Killer Whale Commotion).
In May and June we have extra staff on hand and you can book multiple classes for simultaneous activities. e.g. Perils of Plastic and Guided Tour alternating between two classes back to back. These are also the most popular months of the year for K-12 bookings so plan ahead.
If you wish to build a specialized day of programming, you can indicate this on your booking form in the special comments section, but please also contact us by email at STEMantics@viu.ca to make arrangements.