December

Pretty much everyone in Metro Vancouver knows about Stanley Park. It’s world famous for its dense forest, spectacular views, seawall, beaches, and fabulous trails. The park even won the title of “World’s Greatest Park” in a TripAdvisor contest. But while the park hosts millions of people every year, very few come away from their visit with any knowledge of the park’s remarkable social history.

Stanley Park is not an untouched rainforest. It was home to local Coast Salish people for thousands of years before it became a park, and even for decades afterwards. Numerous villages dotted the shoreline, including Whoi Whoi, which hosted large potlaches and from where a delegation sailed to meet Captain George Vancouver as he explored the area in 1792.

The story of the forced eviction of indigenous people from the land that would become Stanley Park is a shocking background to the park’s creation. Some mixed race indigenous and European families were able to fight back against the City’s onslaught of lawsuits, and keep their homes in the park near Brockton Point until the 1950s. Today their memory and resilience is honoured by the statue Shore to Shore, by Salish artist Luke Marston, which we visit on the tour.

The creation of the park was also about more than creating a space for Vancouverites to enjoy afternoon strolls and picnics. The land was originally intended as a military reserve, established to protect the city should the Americans decide to invade. After it became clear that wouldn’t happen, real estate developers, the Canadian Pacific Railway, the City of Vancouver, and the Federal Government all battled for control of the land. The fact it became a park illustrates the colossal power the CPR once had in Vancouver. 

Throw into the mix the tale of Deadman’s Island, stories of true crime, smallpox pest houses, buried treasure, public art, crow shoots and poetry and you’ll find that despite its beauty, there’s a lot more to Stanley Park than meets the eye!

A unique field trip for students from Grade 5 – University:

• Duration – 2 hours
• Start and end point – Outside the Vancouver Aquarium entrance by the whale fountain at 845 Avison Way

Students follow the lives of three children that attended Cloverdale Elementary for a whole school year (1910-1911). From the exciting arrival of the first BC Electric Railway train to the Surrey Agricultural Fair, students discover what life was like in Surrey’s old city center more than a hundred years ago. The Edukit tells the story of Nathaniel Hunter, Ruth Isabel White, Cecil Heppell and their families, and includes storybook, touchable artifacts, comprehensive teachers’ notes and suggested extension activities. Three week loan/ $53.00

Students learn about the origins of the Metis culture and the significant contributions the Metis people have made in Canada.  This program explores the food, clothing, language, technology, music and dance of the Metis community.

Participate in a “Big 6 Historical Thinking” challenge in our c̓əsnaʔəm; the city before the city virtual exhibition. Learn about the impact of colonization on the Musqueam First Nation, how they resisted assimilative policies, and the Museum’s role in the reconciliation process.

Subtopic: Stories of Resilience (45-60 minutes, $145)

Learn about the impacts of colonization on the Musqueam community, how they resisted assimilative policies, and what the Museum’s role in the reconciliation process is by exploring the c̓əsnaʔəm: the city before the city exhibition virtually.

Subtopic: The Road to Reconciliation (45-60 minutes, $145)

Learn about our shared responsibility in the reconciliation process. Through Object-Based Learning, students use their critical thinking skills and gain a deeper understanding of traditional and contemporary First Nations culture.*

*An Education Kit is available for this subtopic ($55/week)

The City Analyst has gone missing! It’s up to your team of detectives to solve the case. Looking at all the collected material, including crime scene, impressions and DNA evidence, piece together the connections between the suspects and the sequence of events leading up to our Analyst’s kidnapping. Can you save our City Analyst and uncover the suspect’s motive?

This program is ideal for classes studying the Canadian justice system, policing, and forensic methods. 

Duration: 1 hour Capacity: 20 Cost: $8.00/student

Combine a Kidnapping program with a Museum Discovery Tour – only $12.00/student!

In a Vancouver Mysteries game your students are the heroes of their own outdoor adventure — they’ll sharpen their deductive reasoning skills while they complete a series of challenges and collect clues to solve a mystery on the streets of downtown Vancouver.

Students are divided into teams of up to 6 players competing for first place in an Amazing Race style game. Points are earned by answering each challenge correctly, completing the game within a time limit, and by being one of the first teams back.

Game kits include a map, game book, worksheet, and any tools required to solve the mystery (examples: magnifying glass, measuring tape). Players use the map to navigate the streets of downtown Vancouver, cracking codes and solving puzzles along the way. Landmarks, sculptures, parks, and historic sites all play their part as the story unfolds.

Games are facilitated by Vancouver Mysteries’ Game Operators who arrive in character as detectives or secret agents to introduce the game and send the teams out on their adventure. At the end of the game, Game Operators meet the teams to calculate their scores and award team certificates.

Choose from any of our three games: Gastown murder mystery Crime in Downtown, downtown spy game Secret Mission and superhero adventure Heroes and Villains.

Need some lesson plan ideas? Check out our Field Trips page to download free lesson plans, access Kahoots! games, and pick our brains for more field trip ideas.