11:30 am

Did you know that soil is actually extremely rare? In this truly groundbreaking field trip, students will come away understanding the important differences between soil and dirt. They’ll dig deep into the properties and composition of soil, the amendments we add, and the benefits of supporting a healthy underground ecosystem where just one tablespoon could contain 50 billion microbes! We’ll find some of the larger invertebrates commonly found at Loutet Farm and investigate the cycle of compost on-site, where we build our own soil. Your day exploring one of the most species-rich habitats on earth will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the ground beneath your feet and inspiration for building and protecting it.

Whether it’s spring, summer, or fall, there’s constantly more to discover at Loutet Farm! Seasonally, we cultivate vegetables, fruit, and flowers, both for market production and seed saving. Students will learn about the unique growing conditions that come with living in a temperate rainforest, and how we work with the seasons and adapt to changes. You’ll get a chance to identify and taste what we’re currently harvesting and learn about the organic, low-till methods we employ on the North Shore’s first urban farm. Food literacy, life cycles, and farm systems are best learned through hands-on exploration... no matter the season, your hands will be getting dirty!

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.

This Winter wrap up warm, grab your camera, and embark on this unique journey to view the spectacular bald eagles that gather in the Brackendale area of Squamish, British Columbia, every year.

As you travel the lower Cheakamus and Squamish Rivers, observe, photograph and learn about the local population of wintering eagles as our expert guides share their knowledge of the bald eagles, aboriginal legends, local area, river features, and flora and fauna with you.

Don’t forget to take in the breathtaking scenery of the Stawamus Chief, Shannon Falls, Mount Garibaldi, and the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. Enjoy your time with your friends, teachers, parents, and nature during this idyllic interpretive wildlife float and learn about the world-renowned Squamish Valley and its thriving eagle population.

Finish your Winter Eagle Float Tour at a cozy restaurant for a warm hearty meal.

Interpretive programs: Join Manning Park Resort’s Naturalists and guest speakers for entertaining and educational programs at the Lightning Lake Amphitheatre, the Alpine Meadows, and at various locations throughout the park. Interpretive programs are available by request for groups.

Nordic: At Manning Park Resort, Nordic skiers can explore over 60 km of classic and skate ski groomed trails, as well as 160 km of backcountry trails. This is cross-country skiing at its finest—in forests and valleys, with a scenic mountain backdrop. Equipment rentals and lessons are available. The Nordic Centre also offers guided cross-country skiing and snowshoeing tours. 


Snowshoeing at Manning Park Resort is a fun and adventurous way to get into the park. With access to over 300km of trails for individuals of all abilities, individuals new to snowshoeing can follow marked trails through the surrounding forest.  Equipment rentals are available.

Guided excursions: We offer both day and evening excursions with our friendly and knowledgeable guides. Prices are based on group numbers, and packages are available with or without rental equipment.

Ice Skating: Ice skating at Manning Park Resort is available to all our guests when our outdoor rink is open. We also have everything you need to rent for a day of skating or a rousing game of hockey, including skates, hockey sticks, helmets and soft pucks. To protect guest safety, hard pucks are not permitted on the rink.  See our friendly staff at the Nordic Centre for all equipment rentals. Please note that access to the outdoor rink is weather dependent. The ice rink can be reserved exclusively by request. 

BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC) invites K-12 teachers and students to take part in our Ag Adventures tours of The Pencil Patch (a Garden for Learning) and Stable Harvest Farm in spring and fall 2023!

Located in Abbotsford and Langley, the garden and farm provide fun learning opportunities including a tour of BC agriculture subjects such as soil, pollinators, water, growing zones, the Agriculture Land Reserve, invasive species, greenhouses, crop rotation, and more. More details here.

Pre-registration required – see https://bcaitc.ca/ag-adventures#apply for tour availability.