School Programs

The culmination of a year’s work in east central Alberta, the harvest is brought to life by costumed interpreters. Students are immersed in the historic processes of a pre-1930 harvest. They are asked to think critically about the sacrifices that Ukrainian settlers made to bring in the harvest on time, and are engaged in a variety of hands-on activities that demonstrate the need for hard work and help from the community to prosper in a new land.

Dates available: October 1-8 and 11-25, 2024

Duration: 4 hours

Grades: 1-6

Cost: $12 per student

Program Duration and Delivery

Zhnyva begins at 10 a.m. and runs to 2 p.m. The program schedule includes a 30-minute lunch break for each group. Teachers will divide students into smaller groups for the program. Each group will have a different schedule to follow but will complete the same activities. 

Students experience customs and traditions for the entire Rizdvo or Ukrainian Christmas season as they are brought to life by costumed interpreters. In this full day of activities, groups will help with preparations for Rizdvo, learn how the holiday was celebrated, and experience traditions associated with the New Year and Iordan.

Dates available: November 25-December 13, 2024

Duration: 4 hours

Grades: 1-9

Cost: $14 per student

Intended Outcomes

• Awareness of and respect for the beliefs and traditions of other groups and communities
• Understanding of specific Ukrainian cultural and religious traditions related to the Christmas season
• Knowledge of traditions and customs from the past that continue today
• Appreciation for the stories and experiences of Ukrainian immigrants to east central Alberta
• Appreciation for how events of the past relate to and connect families to the present

Program Activities

This school program aims to teach students the meaning and significance of the Christmas season to early Ukrainian-Canadian settlers in east central Alberta. As part of the program activities, religious themes and information will be presented to the students as they pertain to the Ukrainian Christmas traditions and activities students are learning about. This program also includes an educational visit to one of our museum’s consecrated churches. UCHV staff endeavour to create a learning atmosphere that is respectful and inclusive while educating students about these cultural beliefs and traditions. If you have any questions or concerns about the content and activities related to the Rizdvo-Christmas program, please feel free to contact us.

This program patterns Ukrainian pioneer lifestyle as it occurred during the festive season in east central Alberta prior to 1930. The program activities will span the Ukrainian Christmas cycle from the lenten period (pist), to Christmas Eve (Sviatyi Vechir), to post-Christmas celebrations of New Year’s Eve (Malanka) and Epiphany or the Feast of Jordan (Iordan). During the program, students will be involved in home and meal preparation, indoor and outdoor chores, and in learning about special religious customs and traditions like caroling. Through hands-on activities and interactions with costumed interpreters, students will acquire significant information and images of a Ukrainian Pioneer Christmas in Alberta.

Program Duration and Delivery

Rizdvo begins at 10 a.m. and runs to 2 p.m. The program schedule includes a 30-minute lunch break for each group. Teachers will divide students into smaller groups for the program. Each group will have a different schedule to follow but will complete the same activities. 

In this session, our interpreters will teach about Ukrainian Christmas Eve traditions and foods.  Take a virtual step back in time to learn how Ukrainians in Alberta celebrated Christmas 100 years ago, and learn how those traditions continue today.  You’ll learn how to make a kolach, a special bread made for Christmas, and have a chance to interact with our interpreters and ask them questions.

Program duration: 45 minutes

Grades: 1-6

Capacity: 1 class (max 30 students) per session

Dates Available: December 18 and 19, 2024

Times: 9 - 9:45 a.m., 10 - 10:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 - 1:45 p.m.

Cost: $135.00

Outcomes:

• Awareness of and respect for the beliefs and traditions of other groups and communities.
• Understanding of specific Ukrainian cultural and religious traditions related to the Christmas season.
• Appreciation for how events of the past relate to and connect families to the present.
• Knowledge of foods and traditions important to a Ukrainian Christmas eve meal
• Knowledge of the process involved to make a kolach (braided bread)

The lifestyles of rural Ukrainian settlers, spring preparations, and Velykden' celebrations are brought to life for students by costumed interpreters. Through the program, students see the religious and cultural importance of Easter within the lives of early Ukrainian settlers in east central Alberta. A hands-on session provides students with the opportunity to learn about the symbolism of the traditional pysanky.

Dates available: March 3-21 and March 31-April 11, 2025

Duration: 4 hours

Grades: 1-9

Cost: $14 per student

Intended Outcomes

• Awareness of and respect for the beliefs and traditions of other groups and communities
• Understanding of specific Ukrainian and Byzantine Rite cultural and religious traditions related to the Easter season
• Knowledge of traditions and customs from the past that continue today
• Appreciation for the stories and experiences of Ukrainian immigrants to east central Alberta
• Appreciation for how events of the past relate to and connect families to the present

Program Activities

This school program aims to teach students the meaning and significance of the Easter season to early Ukrainian-Canadian settlers in east central Alberta. As part of the program activities, religious themes and information will be presented to the students as they pertain to the Ukrainian Easter traditions and activities students are learning about. This program also includes an educational visit to one of our museum’s consecrated churches. UCHV staff endeavour to create a learning atmosphere that is respectful and inclusive while educating students about these religious and cultural beliefs and traditions. If you have any questions or concerns about the content and activities related to the Velykden’-Easter program, please feel free to contact us.

This program patterns Ukrainian pioneer lifestyle as it occurred during the Easter season in east central Alberta prior to 1930. During the program students will be involved in home and meal preparation, indoor and outdoor chores, and in learning about special religious customs and traditions such as making pysanky and preparation of an Easter basket. Through hands-on activities and interactions with costumed interpreters, students will acquire significant information and images of a Ukrainian Pioneer Easter in Alberta.

Program Duration and Delivery

Velykden’: Ukrainian Pioneer Easter begins at 10 a.m. and runs to 2 p.m. The program schedule includes a 30-minute lunch break for each group. Teachers will divide students into smaller groups for the program. Each group will have a different schedule to follow but will complete the same activities. 

Description: In this session, our interpreters will teach about Ukrainian Easter traditions.  Take a virtual step back in time to learn how Ukrainians in Alberta celebrated Easter 100 years ago, and learn how those traditions continue today.  You’ll learn how to make a pysanka, a special decorated egg, and have a chance to interact with our interpreters and ask them questions.

Program duration: 45 minutes

Grades: 1-6

Capacity: 1 class (max 30 students) per session

Dates Available: March 24-28, 2025

Times: 9 - 9:45 am, 10 - 10:45 am, 11:15 am - 12 pm, 1 - 1:45 pm

Cost: $135.00

Outcomes:

• Awareness of and respect for the beliefs and traditions of other groups and communities.
• Understanding of specific Ukrainian cultural and religious traditions related to the Easter season.
• Appreciation for how events of the past relate to and connect families to the present.
• Knowledge of the importance of pysanky in Ukrainian Easter celebrations
• Knowledge of the process involved to decorate pysanky

Step into the past with our Self-Guided Discovery Visit!  The Ukrainian Village offers an interactive and engaging environment to learn about life in Alberta in the early 20th century and the experiences of Alberta’s Ukrainian settlers.  Costumed interpreters will engage students in activities and demonstrations to create learning in a fun and experiential way.  Interaction with our interpreters will allow students to express their curiosity and discover what the past means to them. 

Teacher resources and student worksheets will help you plan and customize your visit to meet your needs and teaching goals.

Dates available: May 21-23, 28-30, June 4-6, 11, 12, and 18-20, 2025

Duration: As this is self-guided, your group has the flexibility to plan a visit that works best for your schedule and needs.  We recommend a minimum of 2-3 hours to best experience what our museum has to offer.  School program activities are offered 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on days when this program is available.

Grades: K-12

Cost: $14 per student

An optional Prairie Classroom program is available as an add-on to your Self-Guided Discovery Tour for up to 30 students per session, maximum two sessions offered per day. Please see program information listed below if interested.

Complement your Self-Guided Discovery Visit with a half-day visit to one of our prairie classrooms!  Our teacher will welcome your class into his or her classroom and provide an immersive 1920s schoolroom experience.

Dates available: May 21-23, 28-30, June 4-6, 11, 12, and 18-20, 2025

Duration: 90 minutes, either 10:30 to 12:00 p.m. or 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

Grades: K-6

Cost: $135 per session in addition to Self-Guided Discover Visit cost of $13 per student

Capacity: 30 students per session, 2 sessions offered per day

End the school year with a bang by participating in this fun-filled special event for schools. In self-guided groups led by teachers and adult supervisors, students will visit staff-led hands-on activity stations.  Students will have so much fun…they won’t even realize they’re learning all day long!

Date available: Friday, June 13, 2025

Duration: As this is self-guided, your group has the flexibility to plan a visit that works best for your schedule and needs.  We recommend a minimum of 2-3 hours to best experience what our museum has to offer.  Activities will run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Grades: K-6

Cost: $17 per student