Boyd Archaeological Field School

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Founded in partnership with the Royal Ontario Museum and TRCA in 1975, the Boyd Archaeological Field School (BAFS) is Canada's only high school credit course offering students the opportunity to earn Grade 12 credits while participating in real archaeological fieldwork. Durham Continuing Education partners with the Boyd Field School to provide Ontario Ministry of Education compliant secondary school credits. 

 

 Program Location & Information
 

The Boyd Archaeological Field School takes place at the Claremont Nature Centre. Students gain important background material on archaeology and indigenous history through online learning and classroom sessions and get full on-the-job training in archaeological skills. Since 1975, more than 1200 students have experienced archaeology through this field school, have found more than one million artifacts and have mapped people’s homes and living areas at various archaeological sites in Ontario. 

 

This experiential course challenges students to strive for new levels of achievement in a team environment. Learning experiences include:  

  • excavation of an archaeological site in Pickering once occupied by the ancestors of the Huron-Wendat,   
  • field work at the Claremont Nature Centre, and, 
  • an academic classroom component featuring sessions led by OCT certified teachers and professional archaeologists, as well as guest lectures by Indigenous speakers and leading professionals.  

 

This is a residential program – students will stay on site for approx. 17 days in Aug.  (dates TBA).  Students are also expected to participate in an on-line education component pre and post program (eLearning component to start approximately July 19, 2025).  The program fee includes accommodations and meals while on site.  
 Student Expectations
 

Successful combination of field work, classroom studies and online learning confers an Interdisciplinary Studies (IDC4O/U) credit and a Co-op (DCO3O8) credit. The courses meet credit expectations defined by the Ontario Ministry of Education.  Course content is delivered by OCT certified teachers, and will include activities led by licensed archaeologists, Indigenous educators, and respected professionals in a variety of specialties.  Course evaluation and assessment is completed by OCT certified teachers. Prerequisite: completion of grade 10  

 

Important Information About Summer School 2025 

 

Accepted students will receive login information in early July. The online component of this program will begin approximately Monday July 19, 2025. 
 To Register
 Registration is completed through the Boyd Archeological Field School.  For more information visit the Boyd Archeological Field School. Accepted students will receive communication from Durham Continuing Education to complete registration in the academic component of the program in May/June 2025. Questions regarding the academic component of the program can be directed to DCEInfo@ddsb.ca  

For more information, contact BOYD Field School : boydfs@trca.ca

 

Information will be updated as it become available.