The Nanaimo Curling Center has a popular school visit program for grades 5-12. Classes come for two or three one-hour sessions. We can accomodate classes of various sizes, up to 30 students.
The cost per student per session is $5.25 (taxes included). Schools are only billed on the number of students that participate on each day (up to $15.75 per student that attends all 3 sessions).
The program is popular and fills quickly. Sessions sets are available for the following dates in the 2026-2027 school year (schools book ALL sessions in the set):
Mondays 12:30 - 1:30 pm
- October 19, November 2, November 9
- November 16, November 23
- December 7, December 14
- January 11, 18, 25
- February 1, 8, 22
- March 1, 8
Tuesdays 12:30 - 1:30 pm
- October 13, 20, 27
- November 3, 10, 17
- November 24, December 1, December 15
- January 12, 19, 26
- February 2, 9, 16
- February 23, March 2, March 9
We will start taking school bookings on August 17, 2026. Please inquire at programs@nanaimocurlingclub.ca, indicating your preferred dates. Schools will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis.
Please read the following important information:
- HELMETS ARE REQUIRED AND SUPPLIED BY STUDENTS - hockey, bike, and skateboarding helmets are all acceptable.
(we have a limited supply should a student not have one) - Teachers and students should arrive 15 minutes prior to start of lesson
- A name tag with the student’s first name would be helpful for us
- Please check in at the Pro Shop upon arrival
- ABSOLUTELY NO SHORTS
- ALL participants MUST have CLEAN running shoes or curling shoes in order to participate. (If possible a second pair of shoes are to be carried to the rink in a bag)
- CLEAN MEANS: all debris has been picked out of treads (a nail works well for this) and then brushed (we can supply cleaning equipment if needed)
- Students should dress warmly in loose fitting clothes and bring gloves or mitts. Students will spend the hour in the ice area, which is kept cold to maintain the ice. Stretchy pants and leggings are most comfortable.
FAQ
Q. Can I bring my third grade class for a curling field trip?
A. Sorry, our rocks are 44 pounds each, and students need to throw them about 130 feet. It takes a combination of strength and momentum to move the rocks that far. Most young students do not yet have the strength or body weight to feel successful at curling. We want students who try curling to feel positive and successful about their experience, so we ask that teachers wait until they are in fifth grade.
Q. Can we sign up for just one visit?
A. We have set up our schedule in sets of 2 or 3 visits, and schools sign up for a complete set. The first visit covers the basics of how to deliver a rock, sweep, and basic rules. The second and third visits allow them to play a game and learn more about how the game works. One visit is not enough to give them the opportunity to learn basic skills and play a game, which is usually the main goal of the program.
Q. What if students aren’t able to participate, or are absent on the day of a session?
A. We only bill for the actual number of students that participate on the ice each session. There are bleachers in our warm space where a student can sit and watch through the windows, if they are dealing with an injury or other reason why they can’t participate. Any non-participating students in our warm area need to be supervised by an adult. We can accomodate students who struggle with a crouching position by having them try stick curling.
Q. Can our teachers and adult volunteers participate on the ice?
A. Yes, as long as they are dressed for the activity, have clean shoes, and prioritize supervision.
Q. Are there any other times or days available?
A. Usually no. We have a busy regular league schedule most days of the week, so there is very limited availability for other time slots. The program is also dependent on available program volunteers. However, especially if you have a small group of 6-8 students, we may be able to squeeze you in next to another league. There may be other opportunities on specific dates, especially if other groups cancel, so it doesn’t hurt to give us a call to find out if anything is available. Our season ends in March, and there is no ice in from April to September.
