School Programs
Each year thousands of children are introduced to the wonders of nature through School Programs offered by the Richmond Nature Park Society. Programs are designed for both preschools and elementary schools, and are available to all teachers and their students across the lower mainland.
School programs introduce nature and the environment at the Richmond Nature Park. Your class will enjoy an outdoor exploration of the park while meeting the community of plants and animals that live here.
Grade appropriate programs reflect Big Ideas, Curricular Competencies and Content – please discuss your field trip objectives with us when you make a reservation.
Fall programs run October through December and Spring programs run April through June. Programs are 1.5 hours in length for grades K to 7, and 1 hour in length for preschoolers. They include a guided exploration of the park and time in the Nature House. Several booking options are available – please ask for details
Booking Information
Fall program bookings begin on September 4. Programs can be booked Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm, by calling the Richmond Nature Park at 604-718-6188 or emailing nature@richmond.ca.
When booking a program, please have the following information ready: three potential date preferences, theme selection, class size and grade, school information, method of transportation, special needs and/or allergy concerns.
Fall Program Themes
All About Fall (Grades K-3)
Children become explorers and look for seasonal changes that can include leaves changing colour, migration, hibernation, insects & spiders, and cranberries in the bog.
Spiders (Grades K-3)
Get up close and personal with these tiny inhabitants of the Nature Park. Explore the bog forest and hunt for different types of webs, look for spiders and participate in games and activities that demonstrate their life cycle, anatomy and survival strategies.
Invertebrates (Grades K-3)
Learn about the fascinating world of mini-beasts. This program is similar to the spider program, but includes spiders, insects, slugs, and other creepy crawlies.
Bats (Grades 1-4)
Explore a bat's natural habitat and discover why you can’t see them! Activities and games will cover a variety of bat-tastic topics including bat senses, communication, life cycle, and how bats cope with the oncoming winter. Examples of local bats and bat houses are also available.
Migration/Hibernation (Grades 2-4)
How do animals and plants cope with winter? In this program, students will learn about migration, hibernation, and adaptation while exploring the bog forest.
Ecosystems and Food Chains/Webs (Grades 3-7)
Visit the pond, bog and forest ecosystems. Activities and games focus on interconnections within the bog-forest, interactions and energy transfer among flora and fauna, and, human and natural changes that impact an ecosystem.
Grade 7 teachers are invited to discuss program goals and objectives.
Field Trip Guidelines
Prepare for your visit:
- Make waterproof name tags for students.
- Arrange to have at least two adult helpers per class.
- Inform staff of any special needs or allergies.
- Appropriate attire is required. No sandals, high heels or dress shoes. Rainproof jackets with hoods, hats and boots are recommended for rainy days. No umbrellas.
- Snacks are not allowed during a program except for medical reasons. You are invited to snack in our picnic shelter behind the Nature House before or after the program.
On the day of your visit:
- Parents and teachers are expected to participate in programs by assisting with group management. Parents who do not wish to participate may leave the group and return at the end of the program.
- Turn cell phones off during programs
- Refrain from picking or collecting plants or animals in the park.
- Do not feed the animals.
- No pets allowed.
Program Fees
School program fees vary according to group size and the number of instructors requested. The following program fees are based on one instructor per program:
Preschool
$70 per class – up to 20 students (1 hour program)
Elementary School
$85 per class - up to 22 students (1.5 hour program)
Two instructors are recommended for optimal program quality.
Self-guided Program
Looking for a low cost activity to do with your group or class? Self-guided activity kits are available for teachers who don’t require a Nature Park instructor. Kits include:
- An easy to follow teaching guide
- Detailed map of Richmond Nature Park
- Nature Park Scavenger Hunt
- Nature House Discovery Game
- "Who Am I” activity cards
- “Eye Spy” images
- Hand Lenses
Self-guided programs need to be booked in advance by calling 604-718-6188. Program kits can be rented for $1 per student.
Free Snow Goose Educational Program
Has your class noticed the large flocks of snow geese that migrate through Richmond in the winter months? Thanks to the City of Richmond’s Parks Department and Richmond Nature Park Society, a snow goose educational program is being offered free of charge this winter to all elementary school teachers in Richmond.
The goal of this program is to develop an awareness and appreciation of Snow Geese in Richmond. This program encourages students to respect Snow Geese as a part of Richmond’s community, and fosters an amicable coexistence between humans and geese.
The Snow Goose classroom program is offered November through March, and includes a one-hour interactive, activity based program presented by experienced educators. Our instructors will bring along a full set of props and materials.
Registrations for in-school Snow Goose programs begin in October. Programs can be booked Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm, by calling the Richmond Nature Park at 604-718-6188 or emailing nature@richmond.ca.
Storm Drain Kits
Help paint a yellow fish symbol beside local storm drains to remind residents that toxic substances dumped down drains may poison fish and wildlife in nearby streams and rivers. Storm drain marking kits are available to book from the Richmond Nature Park. They are provided by the Salmonid Enhancement Program of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and are available free of charge.
To book a storm drain kit, please call 604-718-6188. Kits must be booked in advance.
