Group Programs
Closed October 15 - 31, 2024 for Planned Facility Maintenance
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
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 is subject to capacity. Typically, two groups of 30 participants can be booked into each morning or afternoon timeslot. Please call to discuss opportunities for larger groups.
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:
- Building a trout or trout’s habitat
- Practicing fish identification in the Aquariums
- Feeding the fish in the Fish Hatchery
Duration: Recommend 2-hour visits (max. 3-hours)
Price: $230 for each group of up to 30 people, including adult supervisors
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.
Evening Adventure Packages | All Ages
Evening group packages include:
- Self-exploration of the Discovery Centre and Aquariums
- Up to two sets of staff-led guided activities
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $290 for each group of up to 60 people, including adult supervisors
Availability: Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 6:00-8:00 PM
Indoor, Ages 5+ | Year-round
Step inside the Fish Hatchery to find out what it takes to raise over a million fish each year! Uncover the care taken along each step of the life cycle of the trout, then make a splash feeding thousands of hungry rainbow trout a snack.
Recommended for:
- Groups with a wide range of participants and younger audiences
- Interest in topics related to fish, needs & adaptations, & healthy ecosystems
Outdoor, Ages 7+ | Seasonal, April 1 - September 15
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.
Recommended for:
- Interest in topics related to the interconnected relationship of humans, plants, birds and other wildlife
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. 25 participants
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. 25 participants
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: $190
Group Size: Max. 20 participants
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 September 14, 2024. Bookings for the 2024-25 school year open August 28, 2024 at 9:00 am.
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
Notes on availability:
- Bow Habitat Station is closed Mondays.
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 a minimum of 30 calendar days in advance of your tentative booking date to secure bookings.
Programs booked within 30 calendar days of the scheduled program require payment within three business days to secure the booking.
Outdoor Program Policy
Bow Habitat Station reserves the right to change program activities due to
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 policy
Bow Habitat Station reserves the right to cancel bookings or change program activities due to unexpected business interruptions.
Refunds are not available for a reduced number of participants or programs on the day of visit.
Cancellations received 30 calendars in advance are eligible for a refund less a $50 per class cancellation fee.
Cancellations received 14-29 days in advance are eligible for a refund less a $100 per class cancellation fee.
No refunds are available for cancellations made within 14 calendar days of their program date.
Updated: Jun 17, 2024