Program Schedule

3:00 pm: Arrive at the Goldstream Visitor Centre for an introduction and a review of the Chum Salmon cycle.
3:30 pm: Walk along the river to look at the daytime activities of the salmon and their scavengers (Bald Eagles, Common Mergansers, 10 species of Gulls, and lots more), checking for tracks. Set up the "track traps" in suitable locations along the river so we can check them early in the morning.
5:00 pm: Hot dog roast supper (vegetarian wieners available). We will try and make fire in the ways of the old.
6:00 pm: Groups will be introduced to the First Peoples explanation of the salmon migration through stories.
6:30 pm: A discussion of the role that Pacific Salmon played in the coastal native's culture and a look at their fishing technologies. Your class will learn about hooks, lines, nets and traps, and the native plant materials used in their construction.
7:00 pm: Your group will get a hands-on experience in making rope out of stinging nettle. Using modern materials, participants will learn the fundamentals of net-making.
7:30 pm: The Japanese art of Gyotaku (fish printing) will be demonstrated and the children will each decorate their own pillowcase. Please note that the pillowcases will be provided by us.
8:30 pm: Hot chocolate and cookies.
9:00 pm: Chum Salmon dissection and discussion of fish anatomy9:30 pm: Fish Jeopardy game.
10:00 pm: Night walk out to the stream to look at the spawning behaviour of the Chum Salmon and to search for other night-time animals.
11:00 pm: Return to the Visitor Centre to prepare for bed if spending the night or head for home if not.

Overnight Program Option
(Sleep in the Visitor Centre) 11:00 pm: Prepare for sleep.
11:30 pm: In bed, bedtime legends.
12:00 am (midnight): Lights out.
6:00 am: Interpreter prepares fire (coffee for adults), in the ways of the new.
7:00 am: Bannock breakfast around campfire, with juice & fruit.
8:00 am: Group packs up equipment and helps clean-up so the Visitor Centre is ready for school programs.
8:30 am: Group leaves Visitor Centre with naturalist to go check the track traps set the day before.
9:00 am: Back to school...

During the overnight portion of your stay there will be a naturalist sleeping in the building as well. They are there to get the morning breakfast underway.

Some rules:

-We require at least one adult for every 12 children
-There is no smoking or pets allowed in the visitor
centre.
-Handicap access can be arranged to the Visitor Centre.
-Remind parents not to leave valuables in the car at the parking lot.
-We try to be as conservation oriented in our
programs as possible.
-Do not pick up materials in our park to take back to your classroom or for the students to take back home.
-Everyone should have a good time.