Programs and workshops
The fall 2024 registration for residents is open on August 20 and for non-residents, on August 27. You can see a listing of all programs available at the Georgina Pioneer Village.
Educational programs
Georgina Pioneer Village and Archives is a dynamic location for hands-on, interactive school programs for Grade 2 and 3 students. Focusing on the daily lives of early settlers, these programs are multi-sensory and curriculum-related.
During a visit to Pioneer Village, students will take part in various demonstrations and activities that depict the living conditions, work, play and pastimes of 19th-century settlers.
Winter programs are approximately five hours in length. Summer programs are offered as a half-day (up to four hours) or a full day (over four hours).
If you wish to provide your students with an engaging and informative introduction to Canada's history of early settlement, contact the Pioneer Village by email at curator@georgina.ca today for further information.
To book a program, complete the school booking request form and return it by email to curator@georgina.ca
Testimonial
THANK YOU SO MUCH [...] for being such wonderfully enthralling, charismatic, informative and funny hosts for our homeschooling group! Everyone had an amazing time and we all learned a lot. This is such a great educative experience and the hands-on component equally made the classes enjoyable and helped to retain the knowledge.
I hope many teachers book this trip for their classes as I'm certain they will love it as we did! You two were made to teach and we are lucky to have shared this with you!
May 2025: Annual Rise to Rebellion: an Interactive Re-creation of the 1837 Rebellion of Upper Canada
Rise to Rebellion 2025
May (dates to be announced)
Recommended for grades 7 and 8.
Scheduled every year on the Thursday and Friday before the Mother's Day weekend in May, the Georgina Pioneer Village and Archives hosts annual education days for Rise to Rebellion: an Interactive Re-creation of the 1837 Rebellion of Upper Canada. Unlike any other education program throughout the Greater Toronto Area, students will have a chance not only to learn about the issues involved in the struggle for responsible government from costumed personalities, but to actually participate in an interactive re-creation of this celebrated episode of Canadian history.
More details can be found in our Education Day Introduction Letter.
Please register by completing this Education Day Registration Form and return it to culture@georgina.ca
Testimonials
"Thank you so much for organizing today- my students really enjoyed it! It was their favourite trip this year."
"Yesterday was incredible. We had the best time at Pioneer Village and it is all because of the wonderful program you and your fellow colleagues put together. From students to parent volunteers to educators, we all enjoyed the historical re-enactments and the lessons that were shared with us. I will now look out for this program going forward in my career. "
"Thank you for a wonderful morning yesterday! We all had a great time."
Winter in Ontario (November to mid-March)
Full day, limited to groups of 40 or less, recommended for Grades 2 and 3.
This full-day program explores the different cultures in early Georgina and how each celebrated Christmas, how the settlers adapted to the cold weather, and how successive generations turned it to their advantage. Students will come to understand the settlers had to adapt quickly to the Canadian winter, but when they did they thrived and celebrated with their community. Students will learn about the settler’s first winters in Canada. We will look at how they overcame hardships and adapted to the environment they now called home. Students will tour two historic homes to compare holiday traditions and celebrations between different cultures in early Georgina. Students will explore leisure and industry in 19th century Georgina during a visit to the train station. Activities include a winter sport, parlour games, country dancing, and make and take home a Christmas craft.
Century Schoolhouse (October through June)
Full day, limited to groups of 40 or less, recommended for Grade 3.
This full-day program is a day-in-the-life of a turn-of-the-century student. Students will come to understand that 19th century school life had similarities to todays. Though there are differences, we can relate to the experiences of children in the past. Through role play they will compare their own lives with the lives of settler children. As well as in-class lessons, the visit includes old-time schoolyard games and a craft activity.
Heritage Life (mid-March through June)
Half and full days available, limited to groups of 30 or less, recommended for Grade 3.
This program is optional as a half-day or full-day visit. With a longer visit there are more activities. Teachers can select activities to build their own itinerary. Activities may include candle making, country dance, farm fences, heritage kitchen, low-tech laundry, old-time toys, schoolyard games, sheep to shirt, house tour and a mini century schoolhouse experience.
Group tours and programs
The Georgina Pioneer Village is happy to work with clubs and groups to create tours and programs that suit the needs of your members or clients. We can arrange evening or weekend visits to suit the schedule of your group. To see how we can help please email curator@georgina.ca
Camps
The Georgina Pioneer Village and Archives offers summer camps for children ages 7-12. These camps inform children about the chores, hobbies and lifestyles of people in the nineteenth century through a series of hands-on craft and heritage demonstrations. Skills relevant to early settlement life are taught and the camps endeavour to instill a sense of pride in our heritage and knowledge of early Canadian lifestyles. Before and after care is available for all camp dates. Bussing is available for summer camps.
Visit georgina.ca/camps to learn more.
Heritage Camp
During this week-long summer camp, your children will benefit from the great outdoors in the peaceful setting of the Georgina Pioneer Village and enjoy guided exploration of the historic buildings on-site. Campers will learn about the hobbies, chores and pastimes of 19th-century settlers, and discover skills relevant to early settlement life through hands-on experience with candle making, heritage cooking, old-time laundry, crafts, games, and more.
7 - 13 Years
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
2025 dates to be announced.