Field Trip Thursday Nov 27: Christmas Past at Black Creek Pioneer Village

Hark the herald, folks! We are going to Black Creek Pioneer Village on a yellow school bus on Thursday, November 27, leaving MicroSkills LINC, 200 Consumers Rd, at 9:15 a.m. and returning by 2:30 p.m.

The program is entitled Christmas Past, and it will show what Christmas was like and how it was celebrated 200 years ago. The bus ride is free to us, thanks to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, but make sure to hand over your $11.50 for the program fee to your instructor by Monday. Spaces are limited, and latecomers are welcome to travel by TTC and pay the regular entrance fees.

Please dress appropriately for outdoor and indoor activities, and bring your camera, walking shoes, lunch (or lunch money), and a great attitude to learn and to enjoy!

The program description is as follows:

Christmas Past HAND OUTS: Gingerbread Man Chrismas Tresures Christmas Actibity

All grade levels

mid November to December 23 only *Maximum 400 students per half day

Curriculum Links: Language; Environmental Studies; Social Studies: Heritage and Identity-Changing Roles and Responsibilities (grade 1)Changing Family and Community Traditions (grade 2)Communities in Canada,1780-1850 (grade 3)Communities in Canada, Past and Present(grade 6) History: Creating Canada, 1850-1890 (grade 8) Traditions and celebrations of the different cultures that make up the Village provide a very special Christmas visit.  Scottish, Irish, British and Pennsylvania-German influences are seen in a traditional setting of 19th century homes, shops and community meeting places.  Each child makes a traditional Christmas craft.  Groups help to create a pomander, taste period treats, work at a printing press, try on pioneer winter clothes and play with old-style Christmas toys.  Join in the spirit of the season at this fun filled visit to the Village. *Activities depend on buildings visited

$11.50 per student

Info from Black Creek Pioneer  Village ...

What to Expect 

1. Education programs at Black Creek Pioneer Village take place both outdoors and in buildings on the site. 
2. When you arrive, students may disembark from the buses in front of the Visitors' Centre group entrance. Ample bus parking is provided. You will be joined by your education guides who will lead your program at the village. 
3. There are washrooms in the Visitors' Centre and also outside in the village. Plan to arrive about 10 to 15 minutes before your program time. Large groups will be subdivided into smaller groups of 18 to 25 students, depending on age and special needs. 

What to Wear and Bring 

Programs take place outside and in the historic buildings. They operate regardless of the weather so please ensure that students dress appropriately. A lot of time is spent outside, so be sure to have students dress warmly in the cooler months. In hot weather, hats and sunscreen are a wise precaution. 

Teachers' Preparation/Involvement: 

• The village opens at 9:30 a.m. during the school year. 

• We are an EcoSchool location. Litterless lunches are appreciated. 

• Packing lunches in one container simplifies storage. Please leave your backpacks behind. 

• Covered eating space is limited and is used on a first-come/first-served basis. During inclement weather, there may be a short wait for a table. 

• Many of our objects, furnishings and buildings are rare and fragile. Please do not touch unless invited to do so by a costumed staff person. 

• For your safety and their diets, please do not touch or feed the animals. 

• Schools and teachers are responsible for their students and the actions of students while in the village. 

Safety 

1. Staff First Aid Training: Many staff at Black Creek Pioneer Village have First Aid training. Courses are conducted each year to keep staff up to date. Should there be an incident, a procedure is in place to ensure rapid attention to the injury. 
2. Allergies: Black Creek Pioneer Village is a "nut-sensitive" facility. Visitors are encouraged to bring only snacks that are free of nuts and/or nut products. 

Accessibility 

1. There are hard-packed gravel roads throughout the village and wooden boardwalks are situated in several areas. 
2. The Visitors' Centre and 14 historic buildings are accessible by wheelchair. Five buildings are partially accessible. 
3. Accessible washrooms are located in the Visitors' Centre, Event Pavilion and near the Laskay Emporium. Many special needs groups come on guided and unguided visits.