Archaeology

ARCHAEO APPRENTICE: Young people working with professional archaeologists to unearth local history

Archaeo Apprentice is an award-winning program for Grade 5 students at the historic McParlan House and Burgess Mill site within Murphys Point Provincial Park on Big Rideau Lake. School classes:

  • Spend the day and uncover local history at a mentored archaeological dig with a maximum 1-to-6 archaeologist-to-student ratio
  • Explore and uncover local history in the classroom and on the site
  • Participate in lab activities, nature hikes and nature interpretation
  • Receive an in-depth, curriculum-based teacher resource package that includes student activities explaining the historic importance of the site and outlining archaeology basics
  • Complete a workbook to earn “Archaeo Apprentice” certification
  • Learn from a “travelling museum” that visits each participating class prior to the field trip

    Since the program began in 2004, more than 10,000 artifacts have been excavated by hundreds of students and catalogued! Students, teachers, parents and volunteers give high praise to Archaeo Apprentice. Click here to learn a little about some of the fantastic findings!

    Archaeo Apprentice could not happen without the dedication of our consulting archaeologists Brenda Kennett and Jeff Earl and their outstanding crew, along with a team of Friends volunteers and Park Staff. It would also be impossible without the generous contributions of hundreds of donors over the years.


Please help by making a donation to the Youth Education Programs at Murphys Point. You can do so securely online through PayPal:

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For information about other ways to donate, click here.

Thank you for your support!