This May and June, take a day trip out to Newcastle Island Provincial Park!This amazing little island encompasses several different ecosystems and has a rich cultural history.Check out the fantastic intertidal life in “Explore the Shore”, discover what lives in the eel grass beds in “Beneath the Waves”, or learn about the “Ghosts of Newcastle” in an exciting interpretive walk.
Be sure to also check out the amazingly popular sleepover programs (“Survivors” and “Ocean by Day & Night”) offered on Newcastle Island.
We do not encourage combining classes, as activities are designed for individual classes.Please note that your ferry will have to be booked separately. Newcastleis a ten-minute foot passenger ferry ride from Nanaimo. To book your ferry trip, contact Nanaimo Harbour Ferry at 1-877-297-8526. If your group is interested in reserving a group campsite please visit "Discover Camping". If you are intrested in sleeping in the pavilion, or having food services provided, call (250) 754-7893 to speak with the Newcastle Island Park Facility Operators.
1. Explore the Shore (K-3) This program is a great introduction to the rocky intertidal area. Through activities and beach exploration, students will learn about the diverse intertidal zone, as well as how the creatures that live there can survive. Beach-appropriate footwear is a must!Fee: $5/student + GST with a minimum $140.00 charge.
2. Beneath the Waves (4-12)Your class uses a seine net to get a close-up look at some of the marine life found hidden in the eel grass beds. Students will learn about the adaptations and life cycles of these creatures. Come with shorts/bathing suits, towel, old sneakers/gumboots, and be prepared to get wet! In order to foster conservation, seines will only be offered during tides lower than 1m (3ft) so book soon! Fee: $5/student + GST with a minimum $140.00 charge. .
3. Squids In the Hall (4-12)If you're a sucker for a good time, and want to learn all about the most intelligent group of invertebrates, the Cephalopods, then this program is for you. We describe what a cephalopod is in relation to other molluscs, and then take a look at some of our local species. Giant Squid and the world's largest Octopus live in the waters of BC, and we'll bring them to life for your class. Participate in a group dissection of store-bought squid and then learn the art of calamari cooking (and eating). Fun for big and little squids! Fee: $6/student + GST with a minimum $168.00 charge.
4. The Ghosts of Newcastle (4-12)On this fun interpretive walk, students will learn about the diverse history of the island including native culture, coal mining, fish processing, the sandstone quarry and the resort era. This program is a perfect tie-in with timeline and BC history studies. Fee: $5/student + GST with a minimum $140.00 charge.
5. A Maze of Mines (K-3) Through the use of an over-sized storyboard and hands on activities, students will learn about the coal mining history of Newcastle and Nanaimo. This program fits with community studies, focusing on BC’s historical diversity. Older students will go on a caboose walk, a great interactive activity, o the ventilation shaft at Kanaka Bay. Fee: $5/student + GST with a minimum $140.00 charge.
ems and has a rich cultural history.
