Programs for groups of all ages and abilities
Doesn’t matter if it’s snow, sun or rain, there’s something fun all-year round at Bow Habitat Station.
Booking a Group Program
Now booking through June 28, 2025.
To be eligible for group rates, programs must be booked and prepaid a minimum of five business days in advance.
Booking availability:
- Groups can book into half-day timeslots Tuesdays through Saturdays year-round.
- Choose from morning (between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM) or afternoon (between 12:30 and 3:30 PM) timeslots.
- Availability of group rates is subject to capacity.
Step 1: Select Your Program
Self-Guided Adventures | All Ages
Have a toddler group or looking for a little flexibility in your visit? These self-guided adventures are for you!
Self-Guided
Duration: Recommended 45-60 min.
Price: First group of up to 15 people ages 4+: $75
Each additional group of up to 5 people ages 4+: $25
Adventure through five galleries of hands-on exhibits and marvel at over 20 freshwater fish species as you discover the incredible aquatic ecosystems of Alberta.
Self-Guided Fish Feeding
Duration: 10-15 min.
Price: $2 per person ages 4+
Availability:
- Sept-May: Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Jun-Aug: Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Youth Group Adventure Packages | Ages 4-17
Looking to spend a half-day with us learning through play-based and hands-on activities? These adventure packages are for you! These packages include:
- Self-exploration of the Discovery Centre and Aquariums
- Up to 1-hour of staff-led activities
- Classroom space for storing belongings and snack breaks
Duration: 2.5 hours
Group Size: Maximum of up to 30 people, including adult supervisors (can accommodate up to two groups on the same date, depending on availability).
Availability:
- Tuesdays through Saturdays
- Mornings (9:30 AM - 12:00 PM) or afternoons (1:00 PM - 3:30 PM)
Price: Contact us to enquire
Ages 4-12 | Year-Round
What adaptations does a rainbow trout use to survive in the wild? How can we tell which trout is which? Find out through play-based activities such as:
- Trout Without a Doubt dress-up
- Guided aquarium exploration
- Guided Fish Feeding
Ages 13+ | Year-Round
Dive into the world of Alberta’s sportfish through hands-on activities, including:
- Exploring fish anatomy
- Practicing fish identification in the Aquariums
- Exploring the role of the Fish Hatchery in managing fisheries pressures
- Feeding the fish in the Fish Hatchery
Outdoor, Ages 6+ | Seasonal, May 1 - September 30
What strange creatures are lurking in that mysterious marsh water? Dip into a nutrient-rich marsh with buckets and nets to discover the terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates that are our neighbours! Activities include:
- Critter dipping outside in the Interpretive Wetlands
- Practicing invertebrate identification
In case of inclement weather, activities and topics will move to an indoor space.
Indoor, Ages 6+ | Year-round
Why do so many aquatic creatures seem to love marshes? Zoom in on the extraordinary invertebrates in this hands-on exploration using microscopes in our insect “lab”. Activities include:
- Using microscopes to investigate characteristics up close
- Practicing invertebrate identification
Outdoor, 7+ | Year-round
You don’t need to leave the city to find incredible wildlife. Come meet your neighbours in nature as we adventure through the urban forest and wetland in one of Calgary’s oldest green spaces. Activities include:
- Trekking through the trails of the Interpretive Wetland
- Identifying wildlife by evidence left behind
- Exploring ecosystems
In case of inclement weather, activities and topics will move to an indoor space.
Adult & Senior Groups | Ages 18+
Guided Fish Feeding
Duration: 20 min.
Cost: $50
Group Size: Max. 30 people
Discover the true meaning of a feeding frenzy as you help feed thousands of eager trout a snack.
Recommended for:
- Groups with limited mobility and/or wheelchair users
Private Fish Hatchery Tour
Duration: 30-45 min.
Cost: $75
Group Size: Max. 20 people
It’s all about trout! Why does Alberta have such an extensive fish stocking program? This engaging tour through North America’s second largest fish hatchery will leave you reeling!
You’ll have time to ponder all of the amazing info you learn on this tour as you discover the true meaning of a feeding frenzy in the ponds of the Fish Hatchery - a fin-tastic way to finish up the tour.
Recommended for:
- Groups with capacity to stand for longer periods of time
Responsible Reeling
Duration: 1.5 - 2 hr.
Cost: Contact us to enquire
Group Size: Max. 20 people
Build your fishing knowledge! Using live fish in the aquariums, learn how to use basic fish anatomy to identify some of Alberta’s sportfish. Dive into the role of fishing regulations and some of the basic fishing gear you’ll need for your next fishing trip. You’ll even get hands-on experience practicing proper fish handling techniques in the Fish Hatchery.
Recommended for:
- Smaller group sizes
- Adult groups seeking to learn the basics of fishing in Alberta
Step 2: Check Program Availability and Dates
Now booking for groups through June 30, 2025.
Bookings for July and August open April 15 at 9:00 AM.
Notes on availability:
- Bow Habitat Station is closed Mondays.
- A maximum of two or three groups of 30 people can be booked per morning or afternoon, depending on the season.
- Evening programming is not currently available
Contact us with the following information:
- Your email
- Phone number
- Group name
- Participant ages
- Total number of participants and adult supervisors
- Name of program wishing to book
- Dates and times (morning or afternoon) of interest
Step 3: Review Program Policies
Program Supervision Policy
Adult supervisors are required for all youth groups. Mandatory attendance ratios are:
- 1:6 for ages 3-9
- 1:8 for ages 10-12
- 1:12 for ages 13-17
Payment policy
Payment is required within 14 days of your invoice date to secure bookings and group rates.
Programs booked within 30 calendar days of the scheduled program require payment within the next 48 hours to secure the booking.
Cancellation policy
Bow Habitat Station reserves the right to cancel bookings or change program activities due to unexpected business interruptions and/or severe weather warnings issued by Environment Canada. This includes:
- Air Quality Health Index levels of 7 or above
- Extreme cold (-25 degrees with windchill or lower)
- Extreme heat (35 degrees or greater)
- Heavy rain
- Hail
- Thunderstorm or tornado warnings
- Wind gusts of 50 km/hr or greater
Cancellation requests received 30 calendars in advance of their program date are eligible for a refund less a $50 per program cancellation fee.
Cancellation requests received 14-29 calendar days in advance of their program date are eligible for a refund less a $100 per program cancellation fee.
No refunds are available for cancellations made within 14 calendar days of their program date, nor for a reduced number of participants on the day of the booking.
Updated: Feb 10, 2025