Learning Experiences
At Thousand Islands National Park the forests, fields, and rocky islands are our classrooms. Park interpreters uncover a natural world of wonder to park visitors with hands on experiences. Hold a loonie-sized baby turtle, touch rough-hewn archaeological remains, unearth a hidden geocache and connect deeply with this landscape.
In May, June and September, schools can participate in the curriculum-based island programs Island Quest and 1000 Islands Up Close.
In June, July and August, catch up with a friendly interpreter at the Mallorytown Landing Visitor Centre or during roving island programs on weekends. Check out the Calendar of Events for scheduled programs and events.
School Programs
Grades 7 and 9
Island Quest
Gananoque Boat Line ferries students to Georgina Island where they follow a series of clues to learn about the park and its place in the Thousand Islands ecosystem. Working in teams, students use a map, compass and binoculars to solve the island's riddles and complete the quest. This 1 ½-hour program is offered in May, June and September.
Curriculum Links: The program is designed for grades 7 and 9, linking to the Ontario Geography curriculum for both grades, as well as the Science and Technology curriculum for Grade 7.
For more information and to book this program, call 1-888-717-4837 or visit the Gananoque Boat Line website.
Grades 9 and 11
1000 Islands Up Close
In this hike program with national park guides, students learn about the special Thousand Islands ecosystem on one of Thousand Islands National Park’s islands. The hike, designed for grades 9 and 11, features a series of hands-on stops that offer students a close-up look at park research and ecosystem management including archaeology, turtle research, and prescribed fires. Departure on Gananoque Boat Line from Ivy Lea, Ontario. This 1 ½-hour program is offered in May, June and September.
Curriculum Links: The program is designed for Grades 9 and 11, linking to the Ontario Science curriculum.
For more information and to book this program, call 1-888-717-4837 or visit the Gananoque Boat Line website.
For more information contact:
Kim Robinson
Thousand Islands National Park
2 County Rd. 5, R.R.#3
Mallorytown, ON K0E 1R0
Phone: (613) 923-5261 ext. 110
Fax: (613) 923-1021
Email: kim.robinson@pc.gc.ca
For lessons plans and fact sheets, visit Parks Canada's Teacher Resource Centre.
Programs at Mallorytown Landing
Family-friendly activities abound at the Mallorytown Landing Visitor Centre. Live animals that you can touch and hold, new and changing exhibits, and an interactive story series on Mohawk culture give you a deeper look into the Thousand Islands landscape.
Interactive outdoor exhibits help families burn off energy and enjoy the summer sun. Our Thousand Islands-themed playground gets kids rowing like a “river rat” in a landlocked boat, swinging in a bird’s nest swing, and basking like a turtle on a climbing rock.
Another visually intriguing outdoor exhibit showcases the Mohawk Thanksgiving Address. Families can read the full address at “contemplation rock” and then take on the challenge of finding all the different carvings of the address’s elements scattered around the grounds.
The park’s free Get Me Geocaching program teaches anyone interested in geocaching how to use a GPS (global positioning system) unit to find “geocaches”. Geocaching is a global activity where participants seek out hidden treasures (geocaches) on the landscape using coordinates loaded onto a GPS unit from a geocaching website (e.g. www.geocaching.com). Geocaches include stories about the location you have found and log sheets so you can log your visit.
For a full list of activities and events, visit our Calendar of Events.
Become a Parks Canada Xplorer
The Xplorers program encourages discovery through fun and recreational activities. When children arrive at the Mallorytown Landing Visitor Centre, they can use an Xplorers activity workbook to help them guide their visit. Once they have completed at least three activities, they will receive a certificate and souvenir as tokens of their success.
Activities at the park vary from a scavenger hunt and trail hikes to species identification and guided reptile encounters. By summer 2012, the Xplorers program will be offered throughout the Parks Canada network.
Programs On Park Islands
During the weekends of July and August, park interpreters circulate through the islands sharing short programs on Thousand Islands nature, culture, and conservation. To identify these friendly guides, look for an eye-catching prop like an archaeological pot or even a live animal. Feel free to participate, ask questions, and share your own stories of the islands.