Looking for a hands-on way to engage your classroom with history?
We offer introductory programs designed to give students an understanding of the Victoria Settlement story, and supplementary themed programs which explore a specific theme of the Victoria Settlement story. Teachers may wish to book one or more of the themed programs in addition to the introduction program.
Our programs are:
- Engaging, hands-on, and interactive
- Led by costumed historical interpreters
- Adaptable for many different grades and levels
- Suitable for groups and individuals
School programs have specific curriculum links. Custom experiences and modified programs can be arranged with sufficient advance notice and consultation.
How our programs work:
- Programs must be booked in advance.
- Programming is available mid-May to Labour Day, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Call us to check availability for programs. Please note we are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Many schools choose to do several programs during their visit and enjoy lunch in the picnic area.
- Cost is assessed based on the number of individuals registered.
- Programs run rain or shine.
Contact us to book your program.
Introductory Programs
These programs offer a brief introduction to the diverse history, stories, and people of Victoria Settlement.
Littlies Tour (Grade K-3)
This program is specifically designed for younger children. Students will get the chance to touch and try out history by exploring the historic house and comparing daily life in 1860-1900 to their lives today.
This program uses children's imaginations, senses, and curiosity as they move through the site, to take them back to the days before even their great-great-grandparents were kids. Students will take part in historical activities along the way, try trading furs for other goods, and learn the importance of the North Saskatchewan River to the diverse people who have called this place home.
Grades: Kindergarten - Grade 3
Dates available: mid-May to Labour Day
Program times available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Total time: 75 minutes
Cost: $3/child
Curriculum Connections
Kindergarten:
- What are places within a community?
- Children examine places in communities.
- How can sharing cultures and histories build connections between people?
- Children explore expressions of traditions, cultures, and histories.
- How are needs and wants different?
- Children explore needs and wants.
Grade 1:
- What is the significance of places within communities?
- Students examine major physical features and key landmarks of our world.
- How can sharing cultures build connections between communities
- Students explore cultures of diverse communities.
- How can people work together to satisfy needs and wants?
- Students examine the exchange of goods and services.
Grade 2:
- How does the land in Canada differ from place to place?
- Students examine major physical regions of Canada.
- How can heritage build on foundations from the past?
- Students relate traditions to Canada’s heritage.
- How do communities meet needs and wants?
- Students examine how trade supports communities.
- Students examine how trade supports communities.
Outcomes
Understand the history and geography of Canada; respect cultural diversity; understand the importance of well-being, and appreciate how family and others contribute.
Preparation Checklists
- Parent helpers: 1 adult to every 8 students (additional adults beyond the required ratio are welcome, but will be required to pay general adult admission).
- Outdoor clothing appropriate to the weather. This could include rubber boots, rain gear, coats and mitts, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Bring lunch, if more than one program is booked.
General Tour (Grades 4-12)
The history of Victoria Settlement is made of the stories of different people woven together over time.
Students will learn how the lives of First Nations, missionaries, fur traders, Métis, and Eastern European settlers were connected but different. This tour weaves their stories together and provides an overview of the creation, growth, and eventual decline of one of Alberta's earliest communities.
Grades: 4-12
Dates available: mid-May to Labour Day
Program times available: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Total time: 75 minutes
Cost: $3/student
Curriculum Connections
Grade 4:
- How did colonies influence the formation of Canada?
- Students examine significant historical events that contributed to the formation of the country of Canada.
- How did economic opportunities influence the establishment of Canada?
- Students examine the role of the fur trade in the development of Canada.
Grade 5:
- In what ways might the ancient world have relevance today?
- Skills and Procedures:
- Compare the work of historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, and geographers.
- Distinguish between primary and secondary sources.
- Skills and Procedures:
- How has geography contributed to the development of civilizations and empires?
- Knowledge:
- Geographical features, such as oceans and bays along coastlines, supported trade and travel
- Understanding:
- Environment and settlement of people are interrelated.
- Skills and Procedures:
- Determine effects of environmental change on human behaviour.
- Knowledge:
- How did economic practices contribute to civilizations and empires?
- Knowledge:
- Trade routes provided opportunities to exchange goods over great distances, increasing the variety of products available in places around the world; trade increased contact, which allowed for the spread of cultures, innovations, and ideas.
- Skills and Procedures:
- Relate economic practices in ancient civilizations to economic practices in contemporary societies.
- Knowledge:
- How can citizens become active and informed?
- Knowledge:
- Informed citizens seek information from multiple sources that present various perspectives on issues and events; consideration of various perspectives can support development of empathy for the actions and values of others.
- Knowledge:
Preparation Checklists
- Parent helpers: 1 adult to every 10 students (additional adults beyond the required ratio are welcome, but will be required to pay general adult admission).
- Outdoor clothing appropriate to the weather. This could include rubber boots, rain gear, coats and mitts, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Bring lunch, if more than one program is booked.
Themed Programs
Themed programs allow your group to dive deeper into the history of Victoria Settlement by exploring a particular aspect of life in this historic riverside community. These programs are hands-on, engaging, and curriculum-linked. It is recommended that an introductory program be booked in addition to a themed program to provide the broader history of the site.
Toys and Games (Grades 1-7)
Toys and Games (Grades 1-7)
Bring your curiosity, enthusiasm, and energy to find out how the children of Victoria Settlement played. Discover a variety of games from Victoria Settlement's past. Students will have fun exploring group, partner, and individual period games and will make an historical toy to take home.
Grades: 1-7
Dates available: mid-May to Labour Day
Program times available: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Total time: 75 minutes
Cost: $3/student
Curriculum Connections
- Grade 1: How can sharing cultures build connections between communities?
- Students explore cultures of diverse communities.
- Grade 2: How can heritage build on foundations from the past?
- Students relate traditions to Canada’s heritage.
- Grade 3: Who are Albertans?
- Students relate diversity to Alberta’s western identity.
- Grade 4: How did economic opportunities influence the establishment of Canada?
- Students examine the role of the fur trade in the development of Canada.
- Grade 5: In what ways might the ancient world have relevance today?
- Students examine historic civilizations.
- Grade 7: Following Confederation.
Preparation Checklists
- Parent helpers: 1 adult to every 8 students (additional adults beyond the required ratio are welcome, but will be required to pay general adult admission).
- Outdoor clothing appropriate to the weather. This could include rubber boots, rain gear, coats and mitts, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Bring lunch, if more than one program is booked.