Field Trip Ideas to Learn About Ontario Caves and CavernsWould you like to climb through some Ontario caves and caverns? Want to see stalactites? bats? fossils? Then check these places out.Bonnechere CavesUnder a hill of limestone, said by geologists to have been the bottom of a tropical sea 500 million years ago, the Bonnechere Caves present a weird and wonderful sight. Stalactites, or rock icicles formed at the rate of one cubic inch in 150 years, hang from the ceiling and the handiwork of nature is enhanced by electric lights. Entombed in the rock and preserved forever can be seen fossils of coral and sea creatures. The Ontario Bonnechere Caves are a thrill for the sightseer and educational field trip.How about bats? Chris Hinsperger writes "During the summer months we rarely see the Small Brown Bat. There are a couple of reasons for this: one reason is that they sleep during the day and the other reason is that they prefer to be in other passageways that people don’t walk through and leave their smells. In September we start to see the return of the bats as they prepare for hibernation. We guarantee our visitors in the summer that if they return after September 15th that they will see bats. Thanksgiving Monday is the last day we are open for the season and on that day last year we counted about 350 bats. We figure that by the time the snow flies there will be about one thousand. We do not go into the cave in the winter. During the cold winter months the place belongs to the bats." How about fossils? You'll find: Straight Shelled Cephalopod, Curled Shelled Cephalopod, Bracciopods, Crinoid Rings, Gastropods, and Trace Fossils. Located just 90 minutes from Algonquin park and 80 minutes from Ottawa, in the town of Eganville Ontario, lies the Bonnechere Caves. Open: May to October (check site for details) Price: ranges from free to $12 plus taxes (subject to change-check website).
Contact Info: Toll Free: 1-800-469-2283; Phone: 1-613-628-CAVE(2283)
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures - CollingwoodHere's some more Ontario caves to check out. At the Collingwood Scenic Caves you can explore caves & trails, cross the largest suspension bridge in Canada, take part in treetop walking and gemstone mining.Scenic Caves is pleased to announce an educational package for teachers and students. The program has been written for teachers by teachers, and meets the expectations as outlined in the Ontario curriculum for Science. The packages are available for grades four through eight. Your curriculum package includes lesson plans, work sheets and information necessary to cover each unit. Units specific to your grade level will be made available upon booking your trip to the Scenic Caves. P.O. Box 215, Collingwood, Ontario Canada L9Y 3Z5 Phone: (705) 446-0256
Rates range from free to $17
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