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Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
School Programs

Please note: all information is subject to change. Please contact the site to confirm.

We support education at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre! Our programs are curriculum- based to assist teachers in developing their students' knowledge and skills. We provide a fun and unique out-of-classroom setting, and we encourage participation by one and all!

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1. About Us

Hours
From July 1 to Labour Day the Centre is open 9am until 6 pm
From Labour Day to July 1 the Centre is open 10am until 5 pm

Location
We are located 1.5 km off Highway #3 in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, in southwestern Alberta. The Frank Slide Interpretive Centre is located 2.5 hours south of Calgary, 1 hour west of Fort Macleod, 1.5 hours west of Lethbridge, 2 hours east of Cranbrook, BC, 1 hour east of Fernie, BC.

Supervisor Ratio
For all education programs, the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre requires a supervisor to student ratio of 1:8. This ratio is mandatory. All supervisors are expected to stay with their group at all times, and to discipline unruly behaviour.

Group Size
We can accommodate groups of up to 120 students. However, large groups will need to be split into smaller groups, so no more than 30 students are participating in a program at any given time. This ensures quality programming and organization, increased student participation, and better overall service to your group.

Bookings
Bookings are based on a first come-first served basis. Keep in mind that September, May and June are our busiest times, so plan early.

Cafeteria
The FSIC is not equipped with a cafeteria or eating room for your visit. We do have several picnic sites, a carpeted recessed area inside the Centre, and benches on our boardwalk. Each of these areas is suitable for eating lunches. The indoor area may not be available due to its use for programming. There are also suitable outside areas near-by: Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site and Lundbreck Falls.

Gift Shop
The Frank Slide Gift Shop is open during our normal business hours. Students are welcome to shop in the gift shop. Note at your time of booking if you would like to have time for shopping. We ask that chaperones supervise students while shopping, and that no more than 8 students be permitted in the gift shop at any one time.

Weather and Hikes
If you are booking programs that require hiking or other outdoor activity, be aware that weather in the Crowsnest Pass may be very different from the weather at your place of origin. Teachers are responsible for ensuring that students come with appropriate footwear for hiking, and with proper outerwear. Students who are not adequately prepared may have to stay behind. In extreme weather conditions, programs may need to be changed or cancelled.

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2. Choices

We offer education programs at Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site and at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. Programs at both sites can be combined for a daily visit. If a one-day trip is too much for your school or group, consider our popular Sleepover Program.

Sleepover Program
See section of the web site by this name.
Sleepover Booking Form - Adobe PDF file - 68KB
(You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document.)

Programming Choices

Frank Slide Survival Kit
All Grades
What knowledge might have helped the residents of Frank in 1903 escape the deadliest rockslide in North American History? Join our guided hike on a 1.5 km train through the rock debris to ponder and discover first hand. Curriculum correlation: Social Studies / Science. Length: 1.5 hours.

Hear That Whistle Blow
All Grades
In 1914, an explosion in the Hillcrest Mine killed 189 men. Put yourself in the shoes of the miners at Hillcrest Collieries as you discover the tragic events of Canada's worst mine disaster and visit the cemetery where many of the miners are buried. Please note: this is not an underground tour. Curriculum correlation: Social Studies. Length: 1.5 hours.

Turtle Mountain Rocks
Grades 1-3
Become a scientist to learn about the rocks of Turtle Mountain. Make your own sandstone and conglomerate rocks and sample our famous earth crust sundaes (please notify us of any food allergies). Curriculum correlation: Science / Art. Length: 1 hour.

Miners Wanted!
Grades 3-6
Find out what it takes to be a coal miner! You'll need to use brawn, brains, and teamwork to pass the test and earn your mining certificate at Leitch Collieries. Curriculum correlation: Social Studies. Length: 1.5 hours.

Promises of Paradise Grades 4-6 Promises of free land and good jobs in the coal mines lured many Europeans to the Crowsnest Pass. Take on the role of an immigrant in a game that simulates the experience of travelling to Canada and starting a new life. Curriculum correlation: Social Studies. Length: 1 hour.

Scoop
Grades 4-6
Inaccurate reporting at the time of the Frank Slide has given the world a distorted view of the disaster. Now it's time to track down the real story. Become a reporter and search for clues as you try to get the scoop on the Frank Slide. Curriculum correlation: Social Studies. Length: 1 hour.

The Next Big One? Grades 7-9 It's only a matter of time until Turtle Mountain slides again. Find out all about the Turtle Mountain Monitoring Project in this interactive program, and learn how the instruments being used on the mountain will help us to predict the next Frank Slide. Curriculum correlation: Science. Length: 1.5 hours.

Killer Mountain C.S.I.
Grades 7-12
In 1903, Turtle Mountain killed more than 90 people. It was never apprehended for this crime, and remains at large. Now, as the killer prepares to strike again, it's up to our team of C.S.I. recruits to examine the crime scene and investigate the formation and structure of the Turtle Mountain first-hand. Can you figure out what turned it into a killer? Curriculum correlation: Science / Social Studies. Length 1.5 hours (1.5 km guided hike).

On the Edge of Destruction, the Frank Slide Story
All Grades
See the Frank Slide recreated in this high-definition audio-visual presentation. Curriculum correlation: Social Studies. Length: 30 minutes.

In The Mountain's Shadow
All Grades
Let the bittersweet history of the Crowsnest Pass unfold before you in this award-winning audio-visual presentation. Curriculum correlation: Social Studies. Length: 25 minutes.

Pricing
The Frank Slide Interpretive Centre has an educational mandate. We offer our education programs at a minimal, cost-recovery price. A visit to the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre and Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site costs $3.00 per student. Chaperones and bus drivers are complimentary.

Our sleepover program is offered at $55.00 per student (which includes programs, sleeping at the center and meals). Chaperones required to fill the 1:8 ratio are complimentary. Additional chaperones are $35.00 per person.

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3. Plan Your Visit

Timing
Our busiest months are May, June and September. If you wish to come during these months, please book early, as times fill up very quickly. Programs can start as early as 9am, and day programs must be completed by 5pm. Due to staff training, we are unable to take any group bookings for the first two weeks of May.

Supervisors
Our required ratio of supervisors to students is 1:8. Teachers, please communicate to your accompanying supervisors their roles as chaperones. All supervisors are expected to stay with their groups, to control unruly behaviour, and to participate in the programs.

Lunch
There is no cafeteria at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. We suggest groups bring a bag lunch. We have a small area indoors, which may be available to you for eating. Please make this request at your time of booking if this is something you would like to use. There are outside benches and picnic areas which may also be utilized by your group.

Rumbler’s Gift Shop
Most groups who visit us like to give students time to browse and shop in our gift shop. If this is an option that you would like your group to have, please request special time when you book your visit. A maximum of 8 students is allowed in the gift shop at any time. Due to limited space, we ask that supervisors accompany a maximum of 8 students at a time into the gift shop.

Storage Space
We request that all backpacks and extra clothing be left on the bus. We have limited space available in the Centre if it is absolutely necessary to leave some belongings indoors. We cannot accept responsibility for belongings that are left unattended.

Special Requests
We are able to alter some programs to accommodate special needs groups. Please notify us of any special requests at your time of booking, and we will do our best to accommodate your group.

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4. Book Your Visit

Print the school program booking form here -
Booking Form - Adobe PDF file - 16KB
(You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document.)

If you are unable to print this document, phone us at 403-562-7388 for a fax copy, or email us and we will email a copy to you. We MUST receive a copy of this form to process and book your visit. Upon receipt of your booking form, we will return a confirmation with your itinerary. Ensure the entire form has been completed, and provide detailed information on your group numbers, age of students, number of supervisors, and the amount of time you have to spend with us.

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5. Your Arrival

Timing
Try to arrive 10-15 minutes ahead of your scheduled start time. This will give your group some time to get settled and use the washrooms. If you are going to be extra early, or you will be arriving late, please phone us and let us know. We may be able to work around your new arrival time, but be aware that our days are often tightly booked. We make our schedules on the premise that your group will be on time.

Groups who arrive more than 15 minutes late may have their programs cancelled or altered to accommodate your group and our staff. Groups arriving early should expect to wait until their scheduled time to begin their programs.

Cancellations
If you are unable to fulfill your booking commitments, please contact us as soon as possible to either cancel your visit or arrange an alternate date. We often have other groups waiting for a cancellation, so your prompt notification is much appreciated by all.

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6. Other Attractions

There are other historic sites and tourist attractions in the Crowsnest Pass and in southern Alberta that you may wish to add to your itinerary. For your convenience, their information is provided below.