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Fall Programs

Nature-Go-Round

Wednesdays (10–11:30 a.m. or 12:30–2 p.m.) in October

Meet the inhabitants of the Garden from the forest floor to the tree-tops. Students will learn about the cycle of nature by exploring plant, animal and insect interaction and how they replenish natures’ resources.

Curriculum Connections:

• Life Science (Plant and Animal Characteristics)
• Life Science (Plant and Animal Life Cycles)
• Earth and Space Science (Earth’s Surface)
• Life Science (Plants in the Environment)

Seed Secrets

Tuesdays (10–11:30 a.m. or 12:30–2 p.m.) & Fridays (10–11:30 a.m. only)
in October & November (November recommended for Kindergarten)

Seeds are fascinating as they hold the promise of new life. Students will search the Garden for specimens and investigate the reasons why they come in all shapes and sizes from ones that fly to ones that float.

Curriculum Connections:

• Life Science (Plant and Animal Characteristics)
• Life Science (Plant and Animal Life Cycles)
• Life Science (Adaptations of Organisms)
• Life Science (Plants in the Environment)

Survival!

Thursdays (10–11:30 a.m. or 12:30–2 p.m.) in October

Thorns, hairs, prickles, big leaves, small leaves are all successful plant adaptations for survival. Students are led on a safari through the Gardens as they learn why plants vary in shape, size and structure.

Curriculum Connections:

• Life Science (Plant and Animal Characteristics)
• Life Science (Adaptations of Organisms)
• Life Science (Plants in the Environment)
• Social Studies (Environment)

Winter Programs

Winter Wonderland

Tuesdays, Wednesdays (10–11:30 a.m. or 12:30–2 p.m.) & Fridays (10–11:30 a.m. only) in February & March

This new and exciting program uncovers the beauty of winter at the Garden. Students will search for animal tracks, early flowering plants, berries, birds, seeds, cones and colourful bark.

Curriculum Connections:

• Life Science (Plant and Animal Characteristics)
• Life Science (Adaptations of Organisms)
• Life Science (Plants in the Environment)
• Life Science (Animals in the Environment)
• Social Studies (Environment)

Spring Programs

Pond Peering

Wednesdays (10–11:30 a.m. or 12:30–2 p.m.) & Fridays (10–11:30 a.m. only) from April to June

The many ponds at the Garden are explored as students search for animals and plants that live in and around them. Catching the numerous life forms with nets is a favorite activity as the students go pond dipping.

Curriculum Connections:

• Life Science (Plant and Animal Characteristics)
• Life Science (Plant and Animal Life Cycles)
• Life Science (Animals in the Environment)
• Life Science (Adaptations of Organisms)
• Life Science (Plants in the Environment)
• Earth and Space Science (Water)

Fantastic Flowers!

Tuesdays (10–11:30 a.m. or 12:30–2 p.m.) in April to June

Flowers are not just pretty faces, they are essential for plant reproduction. Students will discover and search for the different pollinators and the importance of pollination for humans and animals alike.

Curriculum Connections:

• Life Science (Plant and Animal Characteristics)
• Life Science (Adaptations of Organisms)
• Life Science (Animals in the Environment)
• Life Science (Plants in the Environment)

Creepy Crawlies

Thursdays (10–11:30 a.m. or 12:30–2 p.m.) from April to June

This program literally crawls with ants, spiders, caterpillars, centipedes and butterflies. We’ll explore why these critters and others are important no matter how creepy they are. We will set out on a bug safari to search the Garden for as many bugs as we can find.

• Life Science (Plant and Animal Characteristics)
• Life Science (Plant and Animal Life Cycles)
• Life Science (Adaptations of Organisms)

Please call the Youth Education Coordinator at 604-257-8669 to discuss your needs.

All Year

Self-guided Tours

Tailor your own program by exploring the Garden without a volunteer leader. Children's self-guided tours sheets are available to lead you to the many Garden highlights. Finish off with a visit to the popular Elizabethan Maze. Call 604-257-8669 to register.

Nature Express

Inner-city elementary schools are invited to enjoy FREE charter bus service to and from the Garden, FREE admission plus a FREE guided program. Space permitting, other classes from your school may ride the Nature Express and visit VanDusen for a paid self-guided tour. Bookings are limited. Financial assistance for the Nature Express is generously provided by the RBC Foundation.

Downloadable forms

• K-4 Science Field Trips ( PDF, kb)
• K-4 Science Field Trips Fax Back form ( PDF, kb)
• Self-guided Tour Registration form ( PDF, kb)

"Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountain streams."

John Muir

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