School Programs

    Heritage Park's mission is to educate the community about the history of our region. We work hard to make that a possibility by offering many different school programs


    Download or Print our Heritage Park School PROGRAM Booking Form in PDF Format

    Download or Print our Heritage Park School TOUR Booking Form in PDF Format


    Open Minds Heritage Park Museum School

    New to our site is the Chevron Open Minds Heritage Park Museum Schools.

    This is an innovative program that gives the teachers the opportunity to move their classroom to the rich environment of Heritage Park for an entire week.

    Each week is tailor-made to the needs of the teacher and the students.

    This program began in Calgary 15 years ago and has since spread to Edmonton, Michigan, Singapore and its two newest sites at The Rooms in St. John’s Newfoundland and here at Heritage Park.



    For more information about this unique program contact programs@fortmcmurrayhistory.com
    or call 780 791-7575 Ext# 224.


    Grades 1 - 5 Programs

    Each of these programs offers the students a hands-on tour where they discover what life in Fort McMurray was like in the early 1900s.

    The students will learn about the people and the businesses that established Fort McMurray.

    In 2005 a new social studies curriculum was put in place in Alberta. Over the next 4 years Heritage Park took on the challenge and created four brand new programs to work in accordance with the new curriculum changes.

    In addition to the long standing Grade 3 Pioneer Days program, we added Grade 1, 2, 4 and 5 programs. With these new programs we created manuals and CDs to further assist the teachers. Please note the grade 5 program does not require a CD.


    • Grade 1 - UNLOCK OUR HISTORY: My World, My Community, My School and My Home
    • Grade 2 - UNLOCK OUR HISTORY: Canada's Dynamic Communities & My Community in the Past
    • Grade 3 - Pioneer Days
    • Grade 4 - Moving North
    • Grade 5 - Fort of the Forks

    Grade 1 & 2 Unlock Our History

    Manual and CD - An interactive multimedia CD called Unlock Our History was created specifically for the grade 1 & 2 programs.

    This CD features a presentation called “Then and Now”, a virtual tour of Heritage Park, interactive games, a section for grade 1 and a section for grade 2.

    A manual has also been made for each grade that works hand in hand with the CD.

    Each manual consists of: pre tour activities, tips on preparing for your hands-on tour, what to expect while at Heritage Park, post tour activities as well as the picture presentation featured on the CD.

    Heritage Park Visit - Although the grade 1 & 2 programs are similar in their format, each grade has distinct differences. Both grades will experience the old fashioned school with “Mrs. McTavish”, old fashioned games and craft time, as well as visits to various building throughout the park. Both programs are approx. 90 minutes and are offered in both the morning and the afternoon.

    The 2009 dates:

    • Grade 1: April 27 - 30th and May 4 - 5th
    • Grade 2: May 6 - 7 and May 11 - 14th

    Download or Print our Heritage Park School PROGRAM Booking Form in PDF Format



    Grade 3 - Pioneer Days

    The Grade 3 program engages the students in a day of a pioneer, experiencing life as it was in the early 1900s. The students will make butter, wash clothes, garden, cut logs, go to school, play old fashioned games and go on a tour. We recognize that with the new social studies curriculum changes, the grade 3’s now focus on some of the under-developed countries. This is a hands on tour that will help the students understand how people in less fortunate countries still live today. There is no additional resource material needed. Pioneer Days runs from 10:00 am to 2:15 pm with a lunch break from 11:40- 12:25.

    The 2009 dates:

    • June 1 - 4 and June 22 - 25

    The 2010 dates:

    • TBA

    Download or Print our Heritage Park School PROGRAM Booking Form in PDF Format



    Grade 4 - Moving North

    This entire day program has the students role-play families moving to Fort McMurray in the early 1900s. Each student is given a role that they play within a family. As families they visit six different locations in early “Fort McMurray”, trying to learn more about the community and establish a settlement.

    A CD and a manual have been created as a resource for teachers and to prepare the students prior to, during and after the tour. Moving North runs from 9:45 am to 2:15 pm with a lunch break of 40-45 minutes


    The 2009 dates:

    • May 19-21, 25-28, June 8-11 & June 15-18

    The 2010 dates:

    • TBA

    Download or Print our Heritage Park School PROGRAM Booking Form in PDF Format



    Grade 5 - Fort of the Forks

    Before Fort McMurray became a booming city, it was a tiny fur trade post known as “Fort of the Forks”. Students will participate in our fur trade game, where they will earn and collect furs to trade at our very own trading post.

    In doing so, students will learn about the people involved in the local fur trade right here in the fur-rich Athabasca region. This program is approx. 120 minutes and is run in the morning and the afternoon.


    The 2009 dates:

    • March 30th - April 9th

    The 2010 dates:

    • TBA

    Download or Print our Heritage Park School PROGRAM Booking Form in PDF Format



    Other Educational Tours

    We welcome all schools, grades, and groups to come to Heritage Park for a self-guide or guided tour.

    Options are:

  • Guided Tour, Schoolhouse presentation, Old Fashioned Games and craft - $7.00/student-2.25 hrs
  • Guided Tour, Schoolhouse presentation, Old Fashioned Games - $5.00/student - 1.75hrs
  • Guided Tour Only-$4.00/student - 1.25hrs
  • Self-guided Tour-$3.00/student - You determine the time length
  • Schoolhouse only-$4.00 30-45 minutes
  • Download or Print our Heritage Park School TOUR Booking Form in PDF Format



    Theatre Camp

    In Theatre Camp young people will learn the dynamics and skills of theatre performance through improvisation, acting games, ensemble building, voice and movement. The young people will have classes in the morning and rehearsal in the afternoon thereby having the opportunity to use and apply their new skills.

    Heritage Park presents the 8th annual Theatre Camp

    • WHEN: July 13th to August 3rd
    • TIME: Monday to Friday 9:30 to 3:00
    • PERFORMANCES: Alice in Wonderland
    • COST: $425.00 per child. Bursaries available
    • SPONSORED BY: Syncrude Canada
    • Ages: 9-16
    • Maximum 20 youth

    Download or Print our CAMP REGISTRATION Form in PDF Format



    Heritage Park Summer Camps!

    Looking for a cure for the summer time blues? Heritage Park is offering 6 weeks of summer camps! We invite your children to come explore the outdoors and take adventures into Fort McMurray's past.

    **For an additional cost of $5.00 per hour there will be before and after daycare.


    WEEK 1: July 6th to 11th - Performing with Puppet Power

    Puppets have power! Power to make an audience laugh, think or even change. It's true, and you give the puppets power by learning how to perform with precise movement, expression and character work. Puppets have power because you have the power to make them come alive. Sign up today, there's a puppet waiting for you!

    • TIME: Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
    • Performance:July 10th, 3:00 pm
    • WHO: Ages 10 - 17
    • Maximum 20 youth
    • For more information contact Heritage Park

    Download or Print our CAMP REGISTRATION Form in PDF Format



    Week 2: July 13th to 17th - Puppeteer Camp

    Come learn the art of Puppetry with puppets Margaret, Wop May and their puppet friends! Learn how to use puppets and put on a show at the end of the week for family and friends.

    • TIME: Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
    • WHO: Ages 5 - 10
    • Maximum 30 children
    • For more information contact Heritage Park

    Download or Print our CAMP REGISTRATION Form in PDF Format



    Week 3: July 20th to 24th - Let's make a Storybook

    Kids will use cameras to take pictures of their favorite activities, buildings and artifacts throughout the week then make their own storybook. They will be doing this while learning about the history of Fort McMurray in a fun and creative way.

    • TIME: Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
    • WHO: Ages 5 - 10
    • Maximum 30 children
    • For more information contact Heritage Park

    Download or Print our CAMP REGISTRATION Form in PDF Format



    Week 4: July 27th to 31st - Home Style Heritage

    Come learn about pioneer kids and what life may have been like growing up in the early 1900s. The kids will experience old fashioned entertainment by creating games and crafts using everyday objects.

    • TIME: Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
    • WHO: Ages 5 - 10
    • Maximum 30 children
    • For more information contact Heritage Park

    Download or Print our CAMP REGISTRATION Form in PDF Format



    Week 5: August 10th to 14th - Northern Exposure

    Come settle into the early days of Fort McMurray. Kids will live as a families moving north, learning about the community and establishing a settlement. Do you think they will be able to survive?

    • TIME: Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
    • WHO: Ages 5 - 10
    • Maximum 30 children
    • For more information contact Heritage Park

    Download or Print our CAMP REGISTRATION Form in PDF Format



    Week 6: August 17th to 21st - The Fort McMurray Games

    A week filled with games and sports with a historical twist. The McMurray Flyer verses the Waterways Warriors…from soccer to the olden day’s game of Hoops and Sticks!

    • TIME: Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
    • WHO: Ages 5 - 10
    • Maximum 30 children
    • For more information contact Heritage Park

    Download or Print our CAMP REGISTRATION Form in PDF Format



    If you are interested in participating in any of these programs call: (780) 791-7575 Extension 224 or email programs@fortmcmurrayhistory.com.

Summer Hours

PARK & OFFICE
Mon - Sat 9 - 5
Sun 9:30 - 5

GIFT SHOP
Mon - Sat 9 - 5
Sun 12 - 5

Winter Hours

PARK
CLOSED FOR SEASON

OFFICE
Mon - Fri 9 - 5
Closed On Weekends

GIFT SHOP
Mon - Sat 9 - 5

Admission

Adults $8.00
Students & Seniors $5.00
Children 5 and under Free.

Family Rate: $20.00
(Family consists of 2 adults & 2 students, additional members at regular rate) *Members: FREE (must show membership card)

GUIDED TOURS
additional $2.00 per person
by appointment only
*Prices include GST


Bus Tours

Adults $5.00
Students & Seniors $3.00

Tour Guide/Bus Driver: Free *Minimum $20.00 Charge.
*Prices include GST

Educational - Resources

Unlock Our History
interactive CD $10.00

Historical Timeline
Our History Timeline CD $19.95