Want to Book a Field Trip?

We invite you to explore the wonders of Alberta’s prehistoric past. Be immersed in the thrilling world of  dinosaurs with our museum and palaeontological site guided tours and educational programs. Foster an  appreciation of the natural sciences and the environment. Unleash your inner palaeontologist and  embark on an adventure like no other! 

Here's what awaits you at Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Museum:

• Guided Museum Tours – A guided museum tour where students get to touch real fossils, learn  the story of Wendy Sloboda and discover Canada’s first dinosaur nesting site. 

• Guided Palaeontological Site Tours – A guided tour of the dinosaur egg-nesting site - walk in the  footsteps of dinosaurs and encounter real dinosaur fossils and nesting sites. Here students will get  to see, touch and search for dinosaur eggshell fragments, microfossils, dinosaur bones, and learn  the geology of the coulee. 

• The tour is approximately 1 hour at the Palaeontological Site with 30 minutes’ travel time  between the site and museum. Schools must arrange transportation for their own students. We cannot drive students to the site.

Educational Programing Can Include:

• Fossil Casting: Students make plaster dinosaur footprints or fossil casts to take home.  During this activity we teach the students about the uses of plaster in the field of palaeontology.

• Bone Bed Exploration: This activity, geared for the younger students, allows the students to practice digging up dinosaur bones while learning how to handle the tools.

• Dig Techniques: Students learn and practice proper dig techniques used by  palaeontologists and palaeo-technicians. (Must be done in conjunction with Fossil Collection law, or explanation of the need of permits to dig). Digging would happen in a simulation bone bed.

• Geology: Students learn the geology of the Milk River Ridge, Southern Alberta and the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.

• Fossil Jackets: Students learn how and why a fossil is jacketed before being  transported from the dig site. 

• Laws of Fossil Collecting: Program leaders teach students about the laws around fossil collection in Alberta.

Specific curriculum matches are available upon request. We are able to create a custom program for your visit. This option is great for groups with multiple age groups, have varied times, or simply want a custom Devil’s Coulee experience.

Sample Program Format

1. Introduction the Museum 

2. Museum Tour

3. Fossil Casting

4. Outdoor Games and Bone Bed Exploration

5. Palaeontological Site Tour

We understand the importance of preserving our planet's rich history, and Devil's Coulee Dinosaur  Museum is committed to promoting conservation and education. By visiting us, you are contributing to these efforts. Book your visit today and join us in celebrating the wonders of the past.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to hosting you soon!

FAQs

Will the students get to actually touch dinosaur fossils?

Yes! Many of our fossils are displayed to promote tactile learning. Students will get to touch real dinosaur fossils, as well as ammonites, bivalves, and more.

Is there a minimum or maximum class size?

There is no minimum class size requirement. We are happy to host even small groups. The maximum number of students we can host per day is 60. If your group has more than 60 students, we can still accommodate you by booking your group on multiple days.

What times do field trips run?

Field trips typically start at 9:00, 9:30, or 10:00. Please let us know what time your group plans to arrive. Field trips usually wrap up at 2:00 or 2:15. We are happy to adjust times based on your group's needs.

Will we have time for lunch?

Yes. If the weather is good, your group can eat outside in our Heritage Garden, across the road from the museum. (Please note, our Conservation Policy prohibits eating or drinking in the museum.) If the weather is uncooperative, we have partnered with other spaces in Warner to provide a lunch spot whenever possible. Please ask students to pack a lunch, and to respect our outdoor nature space by picking up after themselves. Trash recepticles will be provided.

How much does it cost?

Our prices depend on whether your group is a regular school group, or if you are attending with a preschool, homeschool, or other group (ex. Scouts). Please contact us and let us know what type of group you have, and how many students and adults are participating, and we can offer you a personalized quote. We recommend a 1:10 supervision ratio for museum-only visits, but prefer a 1:5 supervision ratio if your group is also planning to tour our palaeontological site.

Should we bring payment with us?

For field trips, we require a 50% deposit, with the second half of the fee to be paid upon arrival the day of your group's visit. The deposit can be made by etransfer, or by credit card over the phone. The second half of the fee can be paid by etransfer, credit card, or by a cheque made out to Devil's Coulee Cooperating Society. All payments are nonrefundable.

How do we get to the palaeontological site?

Museum staff will give directions to your bus driver on the day of your visit. The site is about a half-hour drive from the museum. Museum staff are not allowed to transport students, teachers, or school volunteers. Your museum guides will meet you at the site, everyone driving in their own vehicles.

What happens if the weather prevents our group from touring the palaeontological site?

Our number one concern is visitor safety, and part of being out in nature is being dependent on the weather. The palaeontological site consists largely of bentonite clay, which can become unstable when water-logged. The upside to this is that we are always finding new fossils uncovered through natural erosion. The downside is that sometimes it is not possible to visit the site if there has been a heavy rain. The only reason we will ever cancel a site tour is for safety concerns (rain, high heat, strong gusting winds). We ask that you reach out the day of your field trip regarding weather conditions at the site. If unsafe weather conditions occur, we can give you the choice of a modified schedule with extra activities for your full time at the museum, leaving at lunch time without paying the second half of the field trip fee, or rebooking for a later date during our current open season.

Do the students get to dig for fossils?

Fossil laws in Alberta prohibit excavation except by professional palaeontologists who have obtained a permit issued by the government. These fossil laws are one of the topics we are happy to teach more about. Students will have the opportunity to try their hand at digging in our indoor and outdoor simulated bonebeds at the museum. We manage the palaeontological reserve on behalf of the government. This is a protected site, and anything removed from it could result in the government issuing a $50 000 fine or a one-year prison sentence. Students will still get to see and touch fossils in the museum and out in the field, but all fossils must remain where they are found.

What should students bring with them?

Students should bring a packed lunch, sunscreen, bug spray, sturdy shoes or hiking boots, and a waterbottle or two if your group is planning to tour the palaeontological site. We have a gift shop, if students would like to bring along money for a souvenir. As there is no eating or drinking in the museum (our fossils are out in the open for visitors to touch and interact with), we ask that any food or drink be stored in sealed containers, and that gum be spat out before students enter the museum. If students would like to bring their phones or cameras, we encourage taking pictures! To visit the site, each person needs a fully filled out a Liability Waiver (front and back).

What dates can we book?

The majority of our field trip dates are in May and June. We re-open for the 2027 season on Wednesday May 19, when the museum will be open Wednesday through Sunday. It is possible to book dates outside of these times. Please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you.

 

If you have further questions, please read the "Before Your Visit" document, or e-mail us at admin at devilscoulee dot com. We would love to hear from you.