Hot Spot: The Exploration Place

Where in Prince George can you examine 70 million-year-old fossils, pet a tarantula, take slapshots on a virtual goalie, and ride Canada’s shortest railroad? Seven days a week, you can find all of these fun family activities at the Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre!

Besides offering exciting day trips to visitors and locals, the Exploration Place is also home to a variety of educational programs and camps. The Explorer’s Urban Garden teaches children about gardening for food production, composting, companion planting, natural pest management and more. As food security and healthy eating become more and more vital, this Urban Container Garden is the first experience many children have with growing their own food.

Sponsors like the Vancouver Foundation, City of Prince George, TD Friends of the Environment, Home Depot, Canadian Tire, MasonLift, and more have helped to make this project a reality. This year there are plans to modify the watering process and add a greenhouse! This project has been recognized with an International Grant for the 2012 growing season from Fiskars. The Orange Thumb Project will provide cash and tools to support this Urban Garden in Fort George Park.

Kids from the Museum's preschool and afterschool care programs work through the winter to plan the gardens; selecting varieties, starting seeds and doing the spring planting. Science Alliance Campers and Fort George Explorer Participants care for the Garden all summer, eating produce as it becomes available and sharing what they can't use with other social agencies in town.

Come fall, the preschoolers and afterschool care kids take the Garden on again to do the Fall Harvest, learn about canning and have a Thanksgiving party at the Museum. After that, it's time to clean out the beds and get ready for winter.

For more information about the Exploration Place, click here or visit their website! Make sure you check out this week's Hot Spot and pick up your 2012 Visitor Guide!

The Exploration Place
333 Becott Pl
(250) 562-1612

Photo by Alex Zander Photography