Summer is drawing to a close and that can mean only one thing…Back to School! Whether you are a parent, student or teacher this time of year probably has special significance for you.
Here at the Museum back to school means that our exciting hands-on school programs are back up and running full force. There’s nothing we like better than a museum full of kids exploring and making lots of noise in our galleries. If you have never taken part in one of our school programs before you can check out our wide array of offerings here. For those of you who have taken part in our school programs in the past you will be excited to learn that we have officially added two new programs to our roster this year: Full Size Paddle Carving for youth ages 15-18, and Canoes Count, a fun and interactive program for JK/SK classes.
We ran a Full Size Paddle Carving Program back in June with a number of high school students from Brock High School. You can read about their experience here. Thanks to the success of the dry run we have decided to permanently add this program to our class list and we couldn’t be more pleased! Canoes Count is a brand spanking new program filled with puppetry, imagination, problem solving and teamwork. Kids will join puppets Jacques and Kathy as they prepare for an upcoming canoe trip. Its up to the kids to make sure that Jacques and Kathy can fit everything they need into their canoes.
For university students September means the start of the fall term and for our 4 summer students it means the end of an awesome summer here at the Museum. We were very lucky to have a group of amazing students this year and we don’t want them to leave! Leia, Jacqueline, Rita and Janice have been kept very busy over the past four months. They have painted the education centre, carved paddles, created mittens, led tours, conducted visitor surveys, researched and presented coffee club topics, manned the front line, helped deliver education programs, cut grass and made hundreds of pots of coffee…we can’t thank them enough!
If you are an adult who isn’t heading back to school but is feeling inspired by the season of learning you should check out some of the many workshop opportunities we’re offering this fall. Our Black Cherry Paddle Carving Workshop is taking place September 21 and there are still spots available. This two day workshop provides you with all of the tools to create a beautiful custom made paddle. In October you can learn to Finger Weave. Join us on October 19 and make a traditional belt or sash without the use of a loom or any other equipment.
If relaxing with a good book is more your thing you can’t miss the exclusive launch of Joseph Boyden’s new book “The Orenda” taking place on September 25. Shelagh Rogers will be here too so expect some lively conversation! If you’re interested in this event information and tickets are available here.
Saying goodbye to summer is never easy but with all that is going on here in the next couple months at least we’ll be kept pretty busy! We can’t wait to show learners of all ages what we’ve been working on. What excites you the most about the changing season? Leave us a comment below!