Kids Hikes

2010 KIBS (Kids in Burgess Shale)

A guided hike designed for kids 13 years of age and younger. The Burgess Shale is a fascinating, mystifying, magical and engaging topic for all ages. Like many children, Noah Richardson, a 10-year-old from Calgary, visited the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology to see the fierce and mighty dinosaurs that roamed the Earth, 60 to 90 million years ago. Initially interested in dinosaurs, Noah was nonetheless awestruck by the Burgess Shale exhibit which captivated his imagination during the museum visit. Last summer, Noah’s family holiday focused on the Burgess Shale, enabling this precocious 10-year old – a palaeontologist in training – to pursue his new interest by participating in a guided hike to the Walcott Quarry. Noah had done his research – he was so knowledgeable about the Burgess Shale fauna, the geological formations, and the concepts of geotimes and mountain building, that the Burgess Shale Guide Stefan Knopp assigned Noah the role of the Volunteer Assistant Guide. Noah stepped seamlessly into this position, so much so that he became the first-ever Kids-guide, introducing other kids to one of the world’s most significant fossil location. Noah, however, is perhaps no more engaging than a lot of other kids who also want to participate in this hike. The KIBS hike is guided by a certified 10-year-old student and accompanied by an adult co-guide, a fully certified Burgess Shale Guide.

Details
Elevation gain: 760 m (2,500 ft)
Distance: 20 km (12 mi) round trip
Difficulty: Moderately difficult (10 hours)
Return time: 6:30 PM MDT (approximately)

Departure time: 8:00 AM MDT from Yoho Trading Post (gas station) located at the intersection of the entrance to Field and the Trans Canada Highway and opposite the Parks Canada Information Centre (the building with the Blue roof)

Schedule: Saturday July 10th, 2010

Cost: $25 per child (under 13)

Phone 1-800-343-3006 to register.

2010 KITS (Kids in Trilobites)

A guided hike to the Mt. Stephen Fossil Beds for young people 13 years and younger is being offered, on the same program basis as the KIBS noted above. Kids are guaranteed to see trilobites during the hike…

Details
Elevation gain: 780 m (2,560 ft)
Distance: 6 km (3.6 mi) round trip
Difficulty: Difficult — short but steep (8 hours)
Return time: 4:30 PM MDT (approximately)

Departure time: 8:30 AM MDT from the Yoho Trading Post gas station located at the intersection of the entrance to Field and the Trans Canada Highway and opposite the Parks Canada Information Centre (the building with the Blue roof). Adequate parking is provided.

Schedule: Sunday July 25th, 2010

Cost: $25 per child (under 13)

Phone 1-800-343-3006 to register.

2010 KISP (Kids in Science Program)

The Foundation is recruiting young students to guide the Burgess Shale and Mt. Stephen Trilobite hikes in the summer of 2010. If you would like to participate as a guide for these geoscience hikes and to receive an outline for the requirements for the job and training please contact Randle Robertson at 1-800-343-3006.

Kids’ programs sponsored by Conoco Phillips Canada, Calgary, AB