School Programs

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.

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Littlies Tour (Grade K-3)

This program is specifically designed for younger children. Students learn about and compare 3 different families from the mid to late 1800s: the mission family, the Cree family, and the fur trade family.

This program uses children's imaginations, senses, and curiosity as they move through the site, to take them back to the days when their great-great-grandparents were kids. Students will take part in historical activities along the way, and taste an historic treat.

Grades: Kindergarten - Grade 3
Dates available: mid-May to Labour Day
Program times available from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Total time: 75 minutes
Cost: $3/child

Curriculum Connections

Time, Continuity, and Change; The Land: Places and People; Culture and Community:

  • Grade 1: Moving Forward with the Past
  • Grade 2: A Community in the Past, Canada's Dynamic Communities
  • Grade 3: Communities in the World

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 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

The Land: Places and People; Time, Continuity and Change; Economics and Resources; Power, Authority and Decision Making; Culture and Community:

  • Grade 4: The Stories, Histories and People of Alberta
  • Grade 5: Histories and Stories of Ways of Life in Canada
  • Grade 7: Following Confederation: Canadian Expansion
  • Grade 10: Globalization in the Past

Outcomes
Understand the history and geography of Canada; respect the cultural diversity and common values of Canada; understand Canada's political, social and economic systems.

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.

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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

Time, Continuity and Change; Culture and Community:

  • Grade 1: Moving Forward with the Past
  • Grade 2: A Community in the Past
  • Grade 4: Alberta; Celebrations and Challenges
  • Grade 5: Histories and Stories of Ways of Life in Canada
  • Grade 7: Following Confederation

Outcomes:
Understand the history of Canada; have an active lifestyle; respect cultural diversity.

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.

 

Beaver Hat (Grades 3 and Up)

For 200 years men came from around the world to western North America to trade for beaver. Discover how a desire in Europe for fashionable beaver felt hats brought them here and what fur trade life was like. Your students will learn about the felt making process, which was a part of making hats by transforming animal wool roving into a piece of felt with their very own hands.

Grades: 3 and up
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

Time, Continuity and Change; Economics and Resources; Culture and Community:

  • Grade 4: The Stories, Histories and People of Alberta; A Sense of Land
  • Grade 5: Histories and Stories of Ways of Life in Canada
  • Grade 7: Toward Confederation
  • Grade 9: Economic Systems

Outcomes:
Understand Canada's political, social, and economic systems within a global context; understand the history and geography of Canada; understand and appreciate the arts.

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.