This full-day activity allows guests to experience the public exhibits of two museums while also giving them the unique perspective of what it is like to be a paleontologist in the field. Guests will start their day in Parrsboro at the Fundy Geo Museum with a gallery tour and a behind-the-scenes tour led by its Fossil Lab Manager. After, they will meet the Director at the beach access point near Ottawa House and trek 1 km East to outcrops near Crane Point where they will learn about the 320 million year old fossil tracks exposed on the cliffs there. After going over safety policies and equipment, guests will be guided in creating archival-quality mother molds of some of the earliest reptile, and amphibian fossil tracks in the world.
Guests will then travel to Joggins to be treated to a lunch of either minestrone soup (vegan)/ chili (dairy- and gluten-free) (both come with a biscuit)/ or ham & cheese sandwich on house-made bun; choice of coffee, tea, or juice; cookie (ginger/molasses) or trail mix; and a slice of chocolate banana bread for a snack. Everything is made in house at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, guests will be given time to explore the exhibit gallery and the behind-the-scenes fossil collections with the Curator of Palaeontology, go on a guided tour of the cliffs with an experienced Interpreter, and make casts of fossils (that visitors are able to take home as a souvenir) with the Education and Outreach Manager. The order of activities will be dependent on tide times.
(Guests are responsible for their own transportation.)
Time: 9:30am to 4:00pm
Note: All participants must be age 10 or over. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Note: Cancellation Policy
When weather or other circumstances result in museum staff cancelling an event, full registration fees will be returned. Full registration fees will also be returned if participants cancel at least 7 days before the beach tour. If participants cancel between 6 days and 48 hours before the tour, 50% of fees will be returned. No fees will be be returned if participants cancel less than 48 hours in advance.
Sturdy footwear is required. This is a rocky beach with moderate to challenging walking surfaces. Walking over a small stream and over muddy surfaces may be required.
Bring water and sunscreen, and dress for weather conditions; it is usually cooler along the coast.