BAMFIELD MARINE STATION - October 4-9, 2026

Attention: Parents and Guardians,

The MSS Science Department is offering an educational, extracurricular trip to Bamfield Marine Station, on the west coast of Vancouver Island next fall (October 4-9, 2026). We are currently in the process of recruiting senior students (grade 11 or 12 at the time of the trip) to attend. If your child has expressed interest in this trip and has not picked up an information package, please ask them to see me in Room 34 this week. 

This trip will be geared toward students who are interested in the Sciences, including Biology, Ecology, Chemistry, and Oceanography. The schedule is tentative at this point, but we will spend 3 full days at the Research Station, which will expose our students to many new experiences, including but not limited to: the Deer Group Islands in a Research vessel, the diversity and ecology of marine species in the field and in the lab, chemical titrations, tide pool surveys, conservation methods, and research. Students will also be able to explore career interests in the many fields of Natural Sciences.

Students will miss five school days (October 5 - 9) and will be responsible for any assignments and homework required by subject teachers.  I can support them with this on our travel days and during downtime. The cost breakdown for the trip is included in the application package, as is the payment schedule. We do not want cost to be a barrier, so please contact us if this is not feasible; I am able to support with fundraising but will ask that families initiate the effort.

We have space for 22 students. I will be a chaperone, along with a male teacher from MSS.

I am hosting a parent information meeting on Monday, June 8 at 7:00 PM in Room 34 to answer any questions that you may have regarding the trip and to share photos and experiences about past trips. A deposit of $250 plus the student and parent forms (in the application package) are required to hold a student’s spot.  If your child is interested in this opportunity, please complete the following sheets and return them to Ms. de Visser with payment. The school accepts e-transfers to [email protected].  Acceptance is based on the order of deposits and completion of forms, and if numbers exceed 22, we will select students based on the following criteria: demonstrated interest in the sciences & good academic standing. If you have any questions about this program, please feel free to email me at [email protected], or visit Bamfield’s website at http://bms.bc.ca/

If you have any questions, please contact me at the school at 378-5131. 

Sincerely,

Lindsay de Visser
Science Department
Merritt Secondary School