The curiosity of Daniel Helm and Mark Turner resulted in the discovery of dinosaur footprints in Tumbler Ridge, the result of which is now the active pursuit of a museum and research centre to study the creatures who roamed the Peace region 90 million years ago. Here scientist Rich McCrea shows Daniel how to make a plaster cast of the tracks found by the boys while tubing Flatbed Creek. THE BEGINNING – SUMMER 2000

Rich McCrea (left) - western Canada’s leading authority on dinosaur footprints – responded immediately to the boys’ discovery and teamed with Daniel’s father, Dr. Charles Helm, in the quest to discover more evidence of dinosaur existence. Now, after three summers of combing the area by air and by foot, Tumbler Ridge boasts many significant specimens – such as dinosaur skin impressions and a print of a “broken toe” – and is the home of BC’s first dinosaur, excavated from Quality canyon in The excavation will continue in July 2004.

Rich McCrea presented the concept for Dino Camp to the Museum Foundation as a potential fundraiser. Northern Lights College became a partner and offered the program through Continuing Education. Continuing Education & Museum Foundation Partnership TUMBLER RIDGE “DINO CAMPS”

A simulated digging exercise taught the kids to locate and carefully excavate dinosaur material. MOCK EXCAVATION

U of A student Marisa Gilbert spent a very hands-on summer coordinating the pilot project. The scientific expertise of our instructors brings quality and integrity to the program. EXPERT INSTRUCTION

Museum Director Hazel Peters makes theropod footprint replicas with each class. These are also manufactured as Museum fundraisers. Each child took a cast home as a memento of the Dino Camp experience. MAKING FOOTPRINTS

Breathtaking scenery and warm days made field trips to Flatbed Creek lively and enjoyable. FIELD TRIPS

HUDSON’S HOPE PARTNERSHIP Lisa Hildebrandt, right, gave weekly tours to our students through a partnership agreement with the District of Hudson’s Hope. Dino Camps went on the road and toured the Peace Canyon dam, Bennett dam and Hudson’s Hope Museum.

Discovery Channel was in Tumbler Ridge filming for a segment that aired September 8, DISCOVERY CHANNEL

Classroom work was fascinating and engaging - reflecting an increase in scientific knowledge from %. CLASSROOM WORK

Each Dino Camp student completed a research project on his/her favorite dinosaur, compiling and presenting the material as part of their “museum exhibit.” These exhibits were displayed for parents at a wind-up graduation event each Friday. Each graduate received an exclusive Dino Camp t-shirt, NLC water bottle and graduation diploma. GRADUATION

Dr. Phil Currie Dr. Phil Currie, Curator of Dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta, arrived unexpectedly on day one of Dino Camp. He was here to visit the site of the bone bed excavation, but took time to speak to the Dino Camp students, and his advice to them was “keep your eyes open.” He is seen here wearing a DINO CAMP t-shirt – a gift from the class. Dr. Currie and his team predict there could be 20 years of excavation work in the Tumbler Ridge area, which bodes well for the future of the community. DINOSAUR HUNTER

Dino Camp was a very successful pilot project. Plans for 2004 include an expanded season, an intermediate- level camp and camps for home- schooled children, adults and seniors. Because palaeontology expertise is rare, NLC may look at in-house training to develop an instructor base. This summer program creates economic activity and makes excellent use of community facilities that might otherwise be empty. RESOUNDING SUCCESS

A new concept called the “Fossil Road Show” drew a crowd of 130 people. Rich McCrea and other scientists evaluate the private collections of fossil hunters. It is scheduled to go literally “on the road” traveling to Fort St. John and Hudson’s Hope in the summer of A guest Lecture Series hosted by the Museum Foundation also drew big audiences and helps to educate the public about fossils and the geology of the area. FOSSIL ROAD SHOW & LECTURE SERIES

TUMBLER RIDGE DINOSAURS Copyright: Joan Zimmer Ornithopods Ankylosaurs Theropods

“THEROPOD” was a carnivorous dinosaur with large bird-like claws. This deep footprint is found at the Wolverine River site, minutes from Tumbler Ridge.

INTERPRETIVE LANTERN TOURS Interpretive lantern tours, which provide angled lighting, allow for much better viewing of the footprint details, like skin impressions.

PEACE REGION PALAEONTOLOGY RESEARCH CENTRE (PRPRC) Catalogue collections and archives Research, preparation and display of fossils Training facility

Expand Dino Camps to include a longer season and an intermediate level, adult and seniors camps Continue the excavation of fossil material from Tumbler Ridge area (5 years) Develop curriculum for Palaeontology & Earth Sciences programs for science teachers, amateur scientists and university students Create a high tech interactive display of video and audio footage to enhance existing exhibits Create jobs and increase public awareness of earth sciences Open Field Station, where preparation and research will be available for the fossil specimens recovered from the northern BC and Alberta Peace regions OBJECTIVES

The Tumbler Ridge campus relocated to the Secondary School, optimizing facility usage and ‘opening doors’ between the College and high school. A grand opening was held in October 2003.

The Oil and Gas Operators (OGP) program came to Tumbler Ridge in the fall of Here 13 students receive fire extinguisher training as part of the safety certification required to work in the industry.

Graduation Babysitter Training ABE Student Breakfast Oil and Gas students