Pacific Breeze Tours Inc. is offering several full day field trips/courses within the greater Victoria area for students from Grade 4 to Grade 11. Course content can be modified to accommodate older or younger student groups. Each field trip has 45 minutes built in for a lunch break. Field trips run Monday through Friday and can be switched to alternative dates should weather or other unforeseen issues arise. The field trips/courses are run by Al Kimmel, a Professional Geologist, Professional Engineer and historian. More information about Al can be found on the Pacific Breeze website About Us page.

1) Forces of Nature Program

Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tsunamis

Students will learn how Vancouver Island was created and molded. In the process, students learn about plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. Is the West Coast of North America at risk from a major earthquake or volcanic eruption? What is the Big One? What is a tsunami and what would the impact of a tsunami along the West Coast/Pacific NW be? What was the impact of past mega earthquakes and tsunamis on indigenous communities and cultures? Were indigenous communities more resilient to these natural phenomena?

This program consists of driving to several locations within the Greater Victoria area with numerous walks, some on uneven terrain.

Cost: $40 per student (includes bus transportation by PBT Charters)
Maximum Participants: 35
Duration: 5 Hours
Target Groups: Grade 5 to Grade 11
Teachers/Parent Volunteers needed: 3 or 4 per school board requirements

2) Natural Processes Program

Erosion and Climate Change

Students will discover natural phenomena including remnants of old growth forests, a glacial lake bed, 34 million year old fossils and learn how everything they see came to be created

Students will learn about glaciations and how glaciers molded Vancouver Island and the NW Pacific coast. What was their impact on indigenous cultures and settlements and what is their importance to our modern economy. What will their impact be on human civilization into the future?

The natural global warming and cooling cycles will be explored. Topics including natural climate change, natural disasters and the origins of the climate crisis debate will be addressed. Evidence from nature and the natural record will weigh in on the issue allowing students to better understand the climate crisis narrative.

Students will be transported to a local trail on the west side of Vancouver Island and hike to a local beach. The trail and beach comprise uneven terrain.

Cost: $45 per student (includes bus transportation by PBT Charters)
Maximum Participants: 35
Duration: 6 Hours
Target Groups: Grade 4 to Grade 10
Teachers/Parent Volunteers needed: 3 or 4 per school board requirements

3) Natural and Cultural History of Victoria and British Columbia

Students will learn about the natural history of the Greater Victoria area, specifically how the landforms we see today were created and molded. Students will then learn about the post glaciation indigenous settlement and cultural history of the area and the importance of the area to indigenous trade in the Northwest Pacific. Finally, the more recent European history of Greater Victoria will be addressed, including the founding of Victoria, the development of Beacon Hill Park, the construction of the BC Legislature and the transformation of James Bay concluding with the building of the Empress Hotel.

Students will be transported to several locations in and around Victoria, with several stops and short walks within and adjacent to Beacon Hill Park..

Cost: $40 per student (includes bus transportation by PBT Charters)
Maximum Participants: 35
Duration: 5 Hours
Target Groups: Grade 4 to Grade 11
Teachers/Parent Volunteers needed: 3 or 4 per school board requirements