Educational Programs
We offer Grades 5–8 and Grades 9–12 programming connected to the Gidinawendimin exhibition. Each program includes:
- Pre-visit activities connected to Ontario curriculum expectations
- A 2-hour onsite program led by our Museum Educator
- Capacity for 32 students maximum. Larger groups may choose to book both the morning and afternoon session.
- Post-visit reflection activities
Field trips are offered Tuesdays:
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Gidinawendimin invites students to explore Michi Saagiig Anishinaabemowin as a living language connected to land, relationships, sound, memory, and identity. Activities encourage listening, reflection, respect, and personal connection, and can be adapted to meet the needs of your classroom.
Explore the Gidinawendimin Field Trip Guide for Educators!
Book your field trip!
Field Trip and School Programming Frequently Asked Questions
As you join us for a time of curiosity, learning, and fun, we ask that you check out these frequently asked questions to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience. If you have any other questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to us over email or by phone at 905-372-0677.
General
Our address is 2-590 Courthouse Road, Cobourg, Ontario. You will see that our friends at the Golden Plough Lodge share the space with us!
- Due to staffing, we are limited in the number of offerings we can have in the 2026-2027 school year. We apologize if you are unable to join us, but we look forward to bringing an expanded offering to our communities over the coming months and years! We are excited to become an active cultural and educational hub.
- If you would like more information on the museum for your class or would like to have an archivist speak in your classroom, please contact ncam@northumberland.ca.
- Teachers should bring a list of all participating students and any attending chaperones. Students should bring a curious attitude! We will supply any other materials we need along the way.
- In the wintertime, we recommend bringing a pair of indoor shoes to change into.
- Students should not bring the following: markers, pens, paints, slime or other sticky toys, candy, gum, drinks other than water, or large bags. These items do not mix with our artefacts! Bags can be stored in cubbies on site upon arrival at your own risk. Thank you for your help in protecting our collection.
Your class must meet the minimum supervision requirements outlined by your board. However, we recommend for Grades 5-8 8:1 students to adults (minimum of 2 per trip) and for Grades 9-12 we recommend 12:1 (minimum of 2 per trip). We do not recommend more chaperones than this due to space. Please note that NCAM staff do not factor into supervision ratio calculations.
- The GPL is not featured in our 2-hour programs. We ask that students and teachers enter through our entrance on the southwest end of the building.
- We love having neighbours! From time to time, residents from the GPL and their staff may join NCAM programs alongside participants. Be sure to say hi and introduce yourself! NCAM is a place where people of all ages can connect, learn, and build relationships.
NCAM does not have food or drinks available for purchase. There is a water refill station in our lobby area.
Absolutely! We welcome you to join us for any of our public hours, posted here. We look forward to seeing you again!
We do not offer French language programming currently. Check back in the future as we add more offerings!
Yes! Ask our team members at reception to assist you in accessing it!
Our Programs
We currently offer a 2-hour program focused on our inaugural exhibition, Gidinawendimin, for two age groups, Grades 5-8 and Grades 9-12. This program includes a week of pre-visit programming with activities provided that connect to classroom learning by incorporating Ontario’s curriculum expectations. It also includes the 2-hour onsite program with our museum educator, and a post-trip reflection. See our Field Trip Planning Guide and Activities above for more details.
- As we have recently made this museum our new home, more school and group programming projects are ongoing! Please check back frequently as more offerings are added.
- For the 2026-2027 academic year, in celebration of Michi Saagiig language and culture, we will run the Gidinawendimin School Program on Tuesdays.
- Our bookings hold a minimum of 15 students per booking and a maximum of 32 students per booking, subject to staffing availabilities.
- Please contact ncam@northumberland with any questions.
Our current program runs for 2 hours. There are two time slots available, 9:00AM to 11:00AM and 12:00PM to 2:00PM.
- Currently, we are unable to support changes to bookings online. If you need to update any of your classroom information please contact ncam@northumberland.ca.
- If your date no longer works for your class, please reach out to our Museum Educator, Lillie Donovan, at donovanl@northumberland.ca as soon as possible so that we can invite a class off our waiting list.
Our team will be in touch with you between two and four weeks from your trip with our curriculum guide, activities, and helpful information about your day at the museum.
Click this link to view the signup form. Once you have filled out this form, our team will be in touch with you to confirm your booking. Please note that filling out this form does not guarantee your spot.
As part of the desire to make Gidinawendimin accessible to as many people as possible, the two-hour program is free for students. There is no cost for educators, support staff, and chaperones to attend.
Cancellation Policy
Our programs run rain or shine! For the 2026-2027 school year, our 2-hour programs will be run predominantly inside. This will change once our outdoor space construction is complete! Please stay tuned. For snow days and inclement weather, see below.
In the event of a snow or inclement day, we will work with booked groups to reschedule their time with us at no cost whenever possible. Due to a high number of bookings, this is not always possible. Please contact ncam.northumberland.ca for more information.
- We appreciate that life happens! Whenever possible, please give our team at least two weeks’ notice so that we can invite a class from our waiting list.
- If another class from your school can swap or take your place, please have your teacher(s) and/or principal contact us as soon as possible. We must have the correct names associated with classes arriving at our facility, otherwise we may not be able to run the program. Please contact ncam.northumberland.ca with any concerns.