Kids' Summer Programmes

Earth Science
Through interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities and discussions, participants will learn all about the fascinating study of Earth Science. Children will have the opportunity to make a model of the Earth, build an erupting volcano, study rocks and fossils and create an "earthquake" using foam models of tectonic plates.

Dates:
July 6, 13, 20, 27 & Aug 24

Where:
In the Museum

Intro to Fossils
This hands-on programme introduces children to the exciting world of Palaeontology! Learn how fossils are formed, make a mould and cast of a fossil to take home, tour the museum's Palaeontology exhibits and learn how to identify local fossils.

Dates:
July 7, 14, 21, 28 & Aug 25

Where:
In the Museum

Dinosaurs
Children will have the opportunity to find out what it is like for real Paleontologists studying dinosaurs in a museum setting. Participants will learn all about the different types of dinosaurs and the time periods in which they lived. Activities include building a dinosaur model to take home and taking part in a mock dinosaur excavation.

Dates:
July 8, 15, 22, 29 & Aug 26

Where:
In the Museum

Explore the Seashore New!
This is a brand new programme focusing on the seashore life of Vancouver Island! Participants will learn all about the fascinating creatures that inhabit the local shorelines. Participants will travel to a beach near Seal Bay Nature Park to hunt for seashore life. Students will have the opportunity to study the body structure, movement and feeding habits of a variety of shore-dwelling creatures including crabs, barnacles, chitons, sea stars and much more. Children will learn how to identify many of the creatures that they may see on a beachcombing adventure of their own!

Dates:
Aug 4,5,17,18,19,20

Where:
Field Trip

Puntledge River Fossil Collecting
Join the Courtenay Museum for a fossil collecting trip to the Puntledge River! Friendly, informative guides will accompany the group to the digsite and explain safety precautions and dig techniques. Children will have the opportunity to see the exact location that the world-famous Puntledge River Elasmosaur was discovered! Participants will be provided with excavation tools and will search the river banks for ancient sea creatures. Children will be allowed to keep all of their discoveries, unless deemed scientifically significant by the instructor. If a significant discovery is made, the finder will be asked to donate the specimen to the Courtenay Museum's collection and their name will be entered into the history books!

Dates:
July 9,16,30

Where:
Field Trip

Trent River Fossil Collecting
Join the Courtenay Museum for a fossil collecting trip to the Trent River! Friendly, informative guides will accompany the group to the digsite and explain safety precautions and dig techniques. Children will have the opportunity to investigate an almost completely dry riverbed, which was once a sea floor! Participants will be provided with excavation tools and will search the river banks for ancient sea creatures. Children will be allowed to keep all of their discoveries, unless deemed scientifically significant by the instructor. If a significant discovery is made, the finder will be asked to donate the specimen to the Courtenay Museum's collection and their name will be entered into the history books!

Dates:
July 10,17,23,31, Aug 27,28

Where:
Field Trip

Programme Details

All programmes run from 10 am to 1 pm and are geared for children ages 5 to 12. Cost is $17.00 plus GST per day.

Courtenay Museum members will receive a 10% discount. Parent transportation is required to and from all field trip sites. Parents are welcome to join in the fun but are not required to attend.

Pre-registration and prepayment are required at least one week prior to programme date. Early booking is recommended!

For more info on programme content or to register please call the Courtenay Museum at (250) 334 - 0686.

Have you run out of space for visiting guests? Or maybe you're looking for a weekend getaway? Why not consider the Capes Escape vacation rental?

This newly renovated heritage home has three sunlit bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and spacious living room, dining room and sunroom. Located just minutes from downtown Courtenay, the Capes Escape is a beautiful and affordable rental alternative.

Fees for your stay at the Capes Escape go directly to improving this important site and to ongoing Courtenay and District Museum programmes.

To find out more details about Capes Escape you can visit our webpage at www.courtenaymuseum.ca or call 250-334-0686.

Summer Hours

The Courtenay Museum is now on our summer operating schedule. We are open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 12 noon to 4 pm until Labour Day. As always, members visit free.

New Online Exhibits

Photo and text panels created for two of our recent temporary exhibits are now available online.

"Out of the Ordinary, Sid Williams: His Life; His Community" (Click to Launch) and "Open to the Public" (Click to Launch) featuring eight local social history topics can now be viewed from the convenience of your computer monitor.

Sponsoring the Museum

It is with great pleasure that we announce the success and continuation of our sponsorship initiative to support museum programming and extension. The Courtenay Museum is an exciting destination that interprets cultural and natural heritage of the Comox Valley through exhibitions, lectures, special events and programmes. The museum hosts over 35,000 local, national and international visitors a year.

Upcoming events in 2009 will include celebrations, tours, lectures and exhibits. As well, we will continue to provide ongoing programming and field trips to students in the Comox Valley.  

Many of the museum's programmes would not be possible without strong sponsorship from our donors and funders. We respectfully request your one-year sponsorship in order to continue to carry out these worthwhile programmes.  

The levels of sponsorship are:

• $1,500 Dogwood
• $1,000 Garry Oak
• $750 Arbutus
• $500 Fir
• Up to $500 Seedling

Sponsors at the Dogwood level will have their logo or name featured on the museum's newsletter, website and on any publications the museum produces. Additionally, the Courtenay and District Museum is a charitable organization, so contributions are tax deductible.

Your contributions can also be made on a monthly basis. All sponsors above the $500 level will receive a museum membership and a complimentary copy of the coffee table book The Comox Valley by Paula Wild.

We hope you will consider being a part of this worthwhile initiative as we promote and interpret the exciting natural and cultural heritage of the Comox Valley. Please feel free to contact us at 250-334-0686 if you have any questions or desire further information.

2008-2009 Sponsors

Dogwood
Judy and Stan Hagen                 
Daryl and Evelyn Wright - Francis Jeweller's Ltd.
The Rotary Club of Courtenay Foundation

Arbutus
Comox Valley Echo
Marjorie Thorpe                 
The Bickle Family
Lorna Gunn

Fir
Elizabeth Braithwaite

Seedling
Dove and Mike Hendren                  
Ruth Masters                 
Deborah Griffiths                 
John and Joan Wilson                 
Ed LaFleur
George E. Sprogis
Doug and Donna Kerr

Photo of the Month

CDM #991.164.1
P. Leo Anderton Realty Co., Courtenay, c. 1915

You can view more photos like this on our website. Click here to visit our holdings.

Museum Funding

The Courtenay and District Historical Society was registered as a nonprofit society in 1961 to preserve and interpret cultural and natural heritage of the Comox Valley. It has functioned as an independent society since that time. Funds are derived from the generous support of the City of Courtenay, British Columbia Arts Council, Comox Valley Regional District, Comox Valley Charitable Bingo Foundation, and from museum generated revenues and donations.

Proud sponsors of the Courtenay & District Museum: