June at last! Summer is near. For those of you who want to plan ahead for next year's school trips, this NetWatch provides options that are a bit out of the ordinary and offer lots of information at the click of a mouse.

by Lynda Scarrow

Day Tripping

Museum search

www.museumsontario.com/museums/onlineguide/

Click and go

As easy as one, two, three – the Ontario Museum Association's database includes a search function for Ontario museums by name, type or city. Or click on a map to locate museums in your area. Information includes a brief description of each site plus maps, web sites and contact information.


Fun connection

www.ontariosfunconnection.com/tours/

Tour guide

Discover Ontario has compiled a number of interesting web pages about Underground Railroad tours, birding and butterfly tours, historical, theatrical and agricultural tours. While the focus is mainly on family/individual adult tours, the information is still relevant for setting up tours for students.


Living arts

www.livingartscentre.ca/schooltrips/

Workshop info

Specific program information is found at this museum site. Students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 10 can participate in artist-run workshops linked to the Ontario curriculum. Special programs can be created for Grades 11 and 12. Workshops include textiles and fibre arts, sculpture and ceramics, printmaking and drawing, drama, dance and music.


Rockhounds

www.canadianrockhound.ca

Dig in

This well-designed site introduces beginners to the world of rocks, minerals, fossils, gemstones and Canadian geology. The junior rockhound section includes student-friendly information on fossils, mining, rocks and minerals, and geology. A field trips and trip safety section provides good information on preparations, map-reading and safe rockhounding – plus a code of conduct for collectors.


Campsite 24

http://www.campsite24.ca/

Park and go

Campsite24 encourages field trips complementing the Ontario Parks school programs. Nature-interpretation programs for schools are offered by 38 parks. Information about lesser-known parks may elicit student curiosity and help you plan a visit.


The great outdoors

www.ontariooutdoor.com/

In the field

 

This site has a wealth of information for teachers interested in student field trips. Under Outdoor Adventures, you'll find arts & wonders, nature viewing, water adventures, hiking, snow adventures and spring highlights. Arts & wonders also takes you to history & heritage, which offers detailed information about aboriginal educational programs across the province.


Lynda Scarrow is the College's web editor. She can be reached at lscarrow@oct.ca.

Not all sites are available in both English and French. For additional sites or for French sites related to this topic, Cyberespace.