A full-day field trip to explore Metro Vancouver’s drinking water system and watershed ecosystems.
Program details
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Grade level: Grades 4 and 5 only; split classes may be accommodated
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Location: Outdoor, Coquitlam Watershed (2052 Pipeline Rd., Coquitlam) or Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (4900 Lillooet Rd., North Vancouver), select the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve location if you have concerns about mobility access
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Timing: September to November (register in September) and April to June (register in November)
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Duration: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, plus bus travel time
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Number of participants per class: 30 maximum
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Cost: $275
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Bus: This field trip includes a school bus to and from your school
Exploring Our Watershed programs are full for April to June 2026. Join the waitlist.
Program description
Discover the treasures of Metro Vancouver’s watersheds, where wildlife abounds, ancient trees tower above, and water moves through natural landscapes to our drinking water supply system. Through this full-day outdoor experience students will get up close with where the region’s drinking water comes from, understand the value of this resource, recognize their connection to it, develop a sense of pride and confidence in protected watersheds, and become champions for sustainability in the region.
Hop on our bus and see the dam to find out how water gets from the reservoir to your home. Learn what makes watershed ecosystems important through fun, student-centered activities. Once you've experienced the magic, you'll be reminded of this special trip every time you turn on the tap!
Payment
Pay by credit card at time of booking.
Payment includes:
- Bus transportation to and from your school (we’ll take care of the bus booking)
- Bus transportation in the watershed for the full day
- Delivery costs to send a pre-trip kit to your school (kit to be returned to Metro Vancouver on the day of the field trip)
- A satellite map to keep for future reference in your classroom
Cancellation policy
Cancellations requested within two weeks of the field trip will be charged a $75 bus cancellation fee. If you ask to cancel the trip with less than 24 hours’ notice, you will be charged the full cost of the trip.
Programs take place in all weather conditions, unless deemed unsafe by Metro Vancouver. While all effort will be made to give notice of changes before the day of programming, last minute changes can sometimes occur. Cancellations by Metro Vancouver due to weather/air quality will be refunded or rescheduled as time allows.
Planning for your field trip
A pre-trip discovery kit will be mailed to your school two weeks prior to your field trip to make the preparation for your visit easy.
Safety and accessibility
A reputable and recognized bus company and professional driver provide transportation services from your school to the field trip site and back.
Two trained educators lead this program. Each educator has passed a criminal records check, is certified with Emergency First Aid, and carries a portable radio and a First Aid kit. Other Metro Vancouver staff actively support program delivery for additional security and safety for everyone.
On the day of the program, in the event of an emergency only, contact 604-987-5354 if you are visiting the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve or 604-942-5090 if you are visiting the Coquitlam Watershed.
Please let us know if your program has any inclusion needs. We will do our best to accommodate them but there are some aspects of our programs we cannot adjust.
Curriculum connections
Programs meet grade-specific curriculum for students in Grades 4 and 5. Contact us to discuss options for facilitating water education for other grade levels.
Concepts covered include the water cycle, watersheds, weather, BC’s natural resources, the interconnectedness of living and non-living things, sustainability, and the importance of personal and social responsibility for the environment.
Activities support development of core competencies in critical thinking, personal awareness, and social responsibility while highlighting the following specific curriculum connections:
Grade 4
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- All living things sense and respond to their environment (Science)
- Matter has mass, takes up space, and can change phase (Science)
- Energy can be transformed (Science)
- The pursuit of valuable natural resources has played a key role in changing the land, people, and communities of Canada (Social Studies)
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- Earth materials change as they move through the rock cycle and can be used as natural resources (Science)
- Natural resources continue to shape the economy and identity of different regions of Canada (Social Studies)
- Knowing what we enjoy doing and knowing about our opportunities to participate in those activities helps us develop an active lifestyle (Physical and Health Education)
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