Evening Programs

A unique evening event catered to your group.

Quick info

Days

Sunday – Saturday

Times

Program on pause

Ages

Ages 4+

Participants

Group Minimum of 20 participants

Cost

TBA

Please note: the Aquarium has paused all on-site public programming and temporarily closed to the public. This temporary closure impacts all educational programming that normally takes place at the Vancouver Aquarium. We look forward to welcoming back students, teachers, parents and all life-long learners when the Aquarium reopens.

Overview

Engaging Programs

Within the Children & Youth team, we strive to deliver safe, fun and engaging programs to children and families of all ages. We are closely following the guidelines and recommendations provided by the Provincial Public Health Office, Health Canada and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and have thus decided to cancel all evening programs until September 2020. Our program schedule will need to be altered to accommodate these recommendations, as well as restrictions imparted by our Aquarium operations and animal welfare teams. We look forward to seeing you when it is safe to do so.  

Program Themes

Creeps of the Deep

Shine your light on life in the deep sea. Explore the depths of the oceans and find what creeps call it home. From the midnight to the twilight zone, find out the dangers and challenges animals overcome, and the adaptations they use.

Survivor

Outgrow, Outrun, Outlive. It’s wild out there. Hungry predators lurk around every corner and they bring some nasty surprises for unsuspecting animals. Learn all about the remarkable physical features & defence mechanisms animals use.

Ice Ice Maybe

The arctic is changing and it’s changing fast. Discover how crucial the sea ice is. From hiding spots for seals to floating beds for walruses, life in the Arctic revolves around ice. How do polar bears stay warm? What does the Arctic sound like?

Pollution Solutions

There are many different things polluting our oceans. From the tiniest piece of plastic to the largest oil spills, they all pose a threat. Come and discover the real scale of this issue, from observing microplastics to completing an oil spill clean up.

Reach for the Beach

Rediscover the beach as an extreme, ever-changing environment. Discover intertidal zones, and recognize the immense survival challenges animals face there. From the sun, to the waves, you never know what’s next as the tide is slow to roll in.

FAQ

Do you have a question about our evening programs?

We’ve provided the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about evening programs at the Vancouver Aquarium. Click/tap each item to expand.

How much is an evening program?

Each evening program is priced at $20 per participant, but we do require a minimum registration of 20 people. If your group size is less than 20 people, then we will need to charge your group the price for 20 people to attend. All adult chaperones for the program are free at a 1:8 ratio. To confirm your date, a non-refundable deposit of $100 must be collected at time of booking.


Payment

Organizers must call the Children & Youth Programs office to confirm the group numbers 2 WEEK prior to your program date as well as send in the participant checklist. At this time, the Organizer must also decide on the method of payment. In the event we do not hear from the Organizer, fees will be applied to the deposit credit card.



There are 2 payment options available:



Credit Card – (A valid Visa, MasterCard or American Express) ALL Credit Card payments must be process 2 WEEK prior to the sleepover date of your program.



Cheque 


What does a typical evening program look like?

Each evening program is designed to be unique, but each will include hands-on classroom activities and a behind the scenes experience. We will utilize our science equipment, animal props and artifacts, as well as our unique teaching spaces to fully engage your students in the program theme.


Does an evening program include gallery exploration?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee gallery exploration for our evening programs due to other programs within the galleries. If no other programs are booked, our educators may decide to bring the group through the gallery briefly.


What is my role as a supervisor/chaperone?

You know your group better than us and we need your help to provide the best learning atmosphere and a fantastic adventure for all the kids. We will do our best to support you in taking care of your group. Below is a list of expectations from the Educators and likewise from a Supervisor. It will help us forge a strong partnership between our staff and your supervisors.



What to expect from the program Educators:



• Highly trained educator staff



• Onsite Security is Level 3 Industrial First Aid trained.



• All staff is Criminal Record checked.



• Respectful and interactive teaching styles.



• Priorities on the safety of every person and animals.



• Quality programming and organization.



• Excellent customer service.


What we expect from you, as a Parent/Supervisor:

• Keeping your group together at all times.



• Enforcing Aquarium safety guidelines.



• Taking responsibility for your group’s conduct.



• Managing behavior & discipline action as needed.



• Communicating with staff (immediately notifying any concerns).



• Ensuring everyone is careful when walking (some areas are slippery or obstructed).



• Being responsible for your group’s personal belongings.



• Assisting with emergency protocols, where necessary.


When and where do we meet for the evening program?

All evening programs will be admitted through our AquaQuest Reception at the north end of the Vancouver Aquarium. Our educators will open the doors 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of your program, so the group will be settled in the space and ready to start programming exactly on time.


Creeps Of the Deep

THEME

Creeps of the Deep: Shine your light on life in the deep sea.

Explore the depths of the oceans and find what creeps call it home. From the midnight to the twilight zone, find out the dangers and challenges animals overcome, and the adaptations they use. Face your fears and see all the myths and legends coughed up from the darkest depths. Finally, students will see the light in the dark, and find out about the oasis beneath the waves.

 

Students will learn about the extreme challenges in the deep and the adaptations that animals have to thrive. They will also learn that the depths are not immune to human pressures, but also how they can preserve the deepest environments on earth. 

 

Rotate through 5 separate stations entitled:

  • The Deep Sea Environment
  • Midwater Life – Life in the Twilight Zone
  • Life in the Pits – Bottom Dwellers
  • Monsters & Myths
  • Deep Sea Oases

Survivor

THEME

Survivor: Outgrow, Outrun, Outlive

It’s wild out there. Hungry predators lurk around every corner and they bring some nasty surprises for unsuspecting animals. Learn all about the remarkable physical features & defense mechanisms animals use to survive in their habitats.

 

Students will get a hands on approach to animal adaptations and see the immense trials salmon face as they race up to their spawning grounds. They will see how habitat destruction poses an immense threat, and what actions can be done to better the streams around us.

 

Rotate through 5 separate stations and activities entitled:

  • Build an Animal
  • Animal Tools
  • Props and Pops
  • Smells Like Home Salmon Relay
  • I Will Survive

Ice Ice Maybe

THEME

Ice Ice Maybe: Skating on ever thinning ice

The arctic is changing and it’s changing fast. Discover how crucial the sea ice is. From hiding spots for seals to floating beds for walruses, life in the Arctic revolves around ice. How do polar bears stay warm? What does the Arctic sound like? How much does a chocolate bar cost in the Arctic? Find out all these answers in this evening program.

 

Through artifacts, sensory activities, and active thinking, students will gain a new appreciation for complexities of life in the Arctic. They will see it as an environment that is challenging for both animals and humans, but how adaptations have allowed both to thrive in the icy north. As well as how students can mitigate their own effects in the far north.

 

Rotate through 4 separate stations and activities entitled:

  • Bones
  • Sound
  • Predators
  • Indigenous Perspectives

Pollution Solution

THEME

Pollution Solution

There’s a lot of different things polluting our oceans. From the tiniest piece of plastic to the largest oil spills, they all pose a threat. Come and discover the real scale of this issue, from discovering microplastics under a microscope to completing an oil spill clean up. Get a first hand look at the crisis at hand.

 

Students will gain a new appreciation at the gravity of the situation, but will come out armed with tools to fight ocean pollution. They will brainstorm new ways to improve lifestyle choices and add their say to the OceanWise tips and tricks.

Reach for the Beach

THEME

Reach for the Beach

Taking a stroll on the beach is relaxing for us, but for the creatures that call the beach home, it can be an extreme ever changing landscape. See how the beach can be split up into zones, and recognize the immense survival challenges animals face there. From the sun, to the waves, to the other creatures fighting for space in small tide pools, you never know what’s next as the tide is slow to roll in.

 

Students will interact with props and learn how every high and low tide comes with new pressures for those that call the beach home. With the addition of human impacts, students will brainstorm what actions they can take to reduce their effects on the beach ecosystem.