Home of the Mounties Student Tour
By Tourism Saskatchewan
06/19/2008
The history of Saskatchewan is closely linked to the world-famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), originally known as the North West Mounted Police. Students enjoy visiting and learning through the interactive displays of the new RCMP Heritage Centre and by touring the training depot in Regina. A trip to Fort Walsh, set in the Cypress Hills in southwestern Saskatchewan and one of the earliest outposts of the Mounties, provides a historical context.
Contact Information:
t: view phone 306-787-5282
e: view email joy.turner@sasktourism.com
w: view URL http://www.sasktourism.com
i: view contact details
- Crack the case, CSI-style at the RCMP Heritage Centre.
- Elude Al Capone as history goes underground in the Tunnels of Moose Jaw.
- Meet Scotty, our local tyrannosaurus Rex, and search for his missing parts.
- Experience life as a North West Mounted Police recruit (circa 1880) at Fort Wals
- Calculate your ecological footprint at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.
Tour Dates:
Number of Days: 5
Day One - Regina
Our tour begins with a visit to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, with Galleries depicting 3.5 billion years of geological/fossil history and 10,000 years of aboriginal culture. In the Life Sciences Gallery we calculate our ecological footprint.
We devote the afternoon to the RCMP Depot and RCMP Heritage Centre. During the week, the colourful Sergeant Major’s Parade is held in front of the RCMP Chapel. We learn about the history of the Mounties and their present day role through interactive displays, such as “Crack the Case”, a CSI-style exhibit and through a multimedia presentation.
In the evening we visit the Saskatchewan Science Centre, with over 150 permanent, interactive exhibits, as well as the Kramer IMAX Theatre.
Day Two - Regina
We tour the Provincial Legislative Building, located in Wascana Centre, a 930 hectare park and lake. Other Wascana attractions include the MacKenzie Art Gallery, as well as the Waterfowl Display Ponds, and the Eco-Party Dragon Boat Tours.
We round out our tour with a visit to Government House Museum and Heritage Property, the 1891 former residence of the Lieutenant Governor.
We spend the afternoon in nearby Lumsden, visiting the Over the Hill Orchards. We get up close and personal with a herd of bison at the Beaver Creek Ranch and enjoy a wagon ride and western meal.
Day Three – Regina to Moose Jaw
Heading west we spend the day exploring Moose Jaw, a vibrant tourist destination with historic charm. We tour the Tunnels of Moose Jaw, which depict the city’s early rum-running days, and rumored connection to Al Capone. We take a ride on the Moose Jaw Trolley and see why this is the mural capital of North America with 40 giant outdoor murals.
Afternoon activities include a visit to the Western Development Museum’s history of transportation, and 15 Wing Moose Jaw, the home of the famed Snowbirds, Canadian Forces aerobatic team.
We enjoy a fun-filled evening at Temple Gardens Mineral Spa and their enormous geothermal mineral pool.
Day Four – Moose Jaw to Cypress Hills
We continue traveling west to the town of Maple Creek and the Old Timer's Museum, the oldest museum in Saskatchewan with pictures and artifacts of the North West Mounted Police and early settlement history.
We participate in an interactive guided tour of Fort Walsh National Historic Site, the former NWMP/RCMP post and Farwell’s Trading Post, restored to 1872 period and meet authentic frontier characters. Through activities and games we learn how and why the NWMP/RCMP was created.
Day Five – Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
We tour the beautiful Cypress Hills, the highest point of land between Labrador, on Canada's East Coast, and the Rocky Mountains. Park tours can include wildlife viewing, golfing, fishing, swimming pool, hiking, horseshoe pits, riding stables, or boat rentals.
A short drive brings us to Eastend and the T.rex Discovery Centre, home to “Scotty”, Canada’s most complete T.rex skeleton, which was found nearby.
