Live-In Adventure Program

Step Back Into the 1860s

Bring history to life for your participants with Upper Canada Village’s Live-In Adventure Program - a fully immersive, curriculum-connected experience designed for both day visits and overnight stays.

This program directly supports the 2024 Ontario Curriculum for Social Studies (Grades 1-6) and History and Geography (Grades 7-8), offering meaningful, hands-on learning that deepens student understanding through real-world historical immersion.


Hands-on Learning

A learning experience where participants meet curriculum expectations in the “Heritage and Identity” and “History” strands.

Role-play & Interactive Activities

Participants explore daily life in 19th-century Upper Canada, including how people lived, worked, learned, and interacted in their communities. This supports inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and historical empathy.

Ontario Curriculum Aligned

The program connects to other subject areas, including Language, the Arts, and Science, and Technology. By experiencing a recreated one-room schoolhouse, participants reflect on how education, values, and community life have changed over time.

Accommodations
Before You Arrive
Meals
Sample Itinerary
Orientation
Costuming
Rules & Guidelines
Contact

Accommodations & Sleeping Arrangements



Historic Residences

These historic residences have been updated with modern kitchens and washrooms, including showers, air conditioning, and heating. Fire doors and alarms are in place for safety.

The Blue and Grey Houses include shared kitchen and living essentials such as drinkware, flatware, silverware, a coffee maker (coffee and filters not provided), kettle, toaster, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, stove, oven, and cleaning supplies.

For sleeping arrangements, single floor mattresses are provided, and participants must bring their own sleeping bags. Bedframes with mattresses are provided for supervisors or chaperones.

Teachers and supervisors must assign all participants to specific rooms before arrival. This is required for safety, supervision, and a smooth check-in process. Please ensure room assignments follow posted maximum occupancy limits and that mattresses and bedding stay in their assigned rooms.




Check Out

Before departure, groups are responsible for ensuring the Blue and Grey Houses are left tidy and in good condition. This includes washing and putting away all dishes and cookware, checking that no personal belongings are left behind, and reporting any damage to the accommodations. 

Groups must complete check‑out by 11:00 a.m. for Overnight Live‑Ins and by 5:30 p.m. for Day Live‑Ins. 


Blue House

Blue House has four rooms located on the same floor, arranged around a central stairwell. Room #1 is reserved for 2 adults. Rooms #2, #3, and #4 accommodate 5 people.

Grey House

Grey House is divided between an upper level and a downstairs area, with a central staircase connecting the space. Room #1, located downstairs, is reserved for 2 adults. On the upper level: Room #2 accommodates 7 people and Room #3 accommodates 8 people.

Before You Arrive



What to Bring

  • Sleeping bag and pillow  
  • Socks dependent on costume: dark sport socks for trousers, and white, navy, or black knee socks for dresses/skirts
  • Pajamas
  • Slippers or shoes for indoors
  • Leggings/long underwear/t-shirt to wear under a costume (if it is cold)
  • Toiletries (towels, face cloths, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, elastics and ribbon for long hair if it is longer than their chin)
  • Flashlight (not required) 




What Not to Bring  

To maintain historical accuracy and due to limited space, electronic devices, make‑up, jewelry (except medic‑alert bracelets), and unnecessary items should be left at home.  




Meals

Teachers are responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising all meals during the Live-In Adventure. This includes confirming meal times and locations (Blue and Grey Houses or other designated areas), arranging catering or delivery if needed, and ensuring participants follow expectations while eating in costume.

Groups can choose to: 

  • Cook in the Blue and Grey Houses
  • Buy food from on-site food services
  • Arrange catered meals (advance notice required)
  • Order delivery to the Village
  • Pick up food off-site (with proper student supervision)

Overnight Live-In: Typically requires one supper, one breakfast, and two lunches. Supper and breakfast are eaten in the Blue and Grey Houses; lunches may be eaten in other designated areas on site.

Day Live-In: Meals are eaten in the Blue and Grey Houses while participants are in costume.

Teachers are encouraged to include 1860s-inspired foods to enhance the experience. Resources are available upon request. 

Sample Itinerary

Subject to change

 Day 1 
1:00 p.m. Group arrives and checks into Blue and Grey House. Welcome and Introductions presented by Education department staff.
1:30 p.m. Participants get into costume. Group leader picks activities and organizes groups.
2:00 p.m. Learning about Lifestyles/ Orientation
2:15 p.m. Recreation Time
3:45 p.m. Activity sessions
5:00 p.m. Return to Blue and Grey House
5:30 p.m. Supper
Evening Evening activities from 5:00 p.m. onwards are under the direction and supervision of the chaperone or supervisor. Ask UCV Education Staff for some suggestions, if needed. No fires permitted.
Day 2
7:00 a.m.
 Wake-up and morning farm chores
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Activity Sessions
10:45 a.m. Return to Blue and Grey House, change into modern clothes and depart or spend more time touring Upper Canada Village for the remainder of the day (included in the program cost)

Live‑In participants are divided into groups that rotate between school activities and a hands-on activity in one of the historic homes or shops during the afternoon and the following morning. The Day Live‑In includes the same core program components, delivered in a single‑day experience from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Orientation

This session prepares participants for the rest of the program. Costumed Village staff members present the following topics with opportunity for questions and discussion:

  • the progression from Indigenous lands to the 1860s Village
  • lives of children in the 1860s
  • education and school attendance
  • informal education, i.e. work and training at home, in shops, on farms
  • clothing and manners
  • attitudes of society towards children
  • leisure activities 


Activity Sessions

Activity sessions take place on-site, within the historical Village, and are led by Village staff. Each group will participate in Lifestyles, School, and morning chores and one additional activity session. These additional activities range from tin smithing, blacksmithing, cooking, or needlework. When arriving onsite, the group lead will be presented with the available activity sessions for that day.




Attending School

Participants visit the Village Schoolhouse for a lesson taught using 1860s methods and materials. They take on the role of “scholars” and are encouraged to act as children would have in the 19th century. The session also explores the beliefs of parents and teachers at the time. It provides insight into what school was like in the 1860s and encourages comparisons to education today.




Farm Chores

Participants are guided by Village staff to Loucks Farm, where they take part in hands-on daily chores. Activities may include milking cows, sawing wood, carrying water with buckets and a yoke, and feeding animals. Seasonal tasks vary:

  • Spring: preparing gardens and planting seeds
  • Fall: harvesting, drying food, and preparing for winter 




    • Cooking

    Participants bake over an open hearth or wood stove in one of the historic buildings. This activity introduces traditional cooking methods and highlights the importance of everyday domestic skills in the 1860s.




    Textile work

    Participants try basic sewing projects in one of the heritage homes on site. This hands-on activity explores the role of textile work and the importance of practical skills in daily life.



    Trades

    Participants work under the direction of a Village staff at a trade shop or mill to learn basic techniques. They also explore how skills were passed down in the 1860s through apprenticeships and hands-on learning. 



    Evening Activities

    Participants are under the supervision of their teacher or supervisor from approximately 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. the next day.

    To make the most of the experience, teachers and supervisors are encouraged to plan evening activities that fit the historical setting and time period.

    Participants may use the parlour games or outdoor games provided on site. Supervisors are also welcome to lead their own activities.

    Many Live-in Adventure groups also enjoy evening walks to nearby sites such as the Pioneer Memorial, Loyalist Monument, and the Battle of Crysler’s Farm Monument. 

    Historical Clothing Parameters & Measurements

    All youth participants and up to four supervising adults will be provided with historical clothing to wear. Any additional adults will not be in costume. As costumes must be prepared in advance, teachers must submit a completed size chart form at least two weeks before arrival.


    Costume types:

    Participants may choose the costume style in which they feel most comfortable:

    Dress or skirt
    Trousers with a vest and shirt




    Costume Guidelines

  • To maintain historical accuracy, modern jewelry, make‑up, and valuables are not permitted, with the exception of medic alert jewelry.
  • Supervisors in costume may carry a watch concealed in a pocket and should avoid using modern technology except inside the Blue and Grey Houses.
  • Costumes are summer‑weight, so in colder weather participants are encouraged to wear light‑coloured underlayers such as long underwear, leggings, or undershirts that will not be visible above the costume neckline.
  • Comfort and safety are priorities, and minor inaccuracies are acceptable if they are not immediately noticeable. 



  • Hair: Participants with hair longer than chin‑length should arrive with hair neatly tied back in a single middle braid or low bun using an elastic or ribbon.
  • Socks: Socks should suit the costume: white, navy, or black knee‑length socks for dresses/skirts, and sturdy socks appropriate for boots for those wearing trousers.
  • Boots: Participants may bring their own boots, provided they are black or brown leather (or faux leather), lace‑up or elastic‑sided, with minimal heel and no zippers, logos, or modern details.

    • Rules & Guidelines

    These rules are in place to help keep all participants safe and ensure an enjoyable experience. Please review them with your group before your visit. A copy of these rules is also posted in the kitchens of both the Blue House and the Grey House.



    Fire Safety

  • Keep all inside doors closed at all times.
  • If you hear an alarm, leave the building right away. Do a headcount and report to Security. Do not go back inside.
  • Fire alarm pull stations are located in the hallways on every level.
  • Emergency lighting is available in the hallways. Supervisors should keep a flashlight nearby at night.
  • Smoking and open flames (including candles and campfires) are not allowed anywhere at Upper Canada Village, including the Blue and Grey Houses. 



    • Rules

  • Participants must stay with their group and be supervised at all times.
  • Do not move mattresses or beds. Each room has a set maximum number of people enforced by the local Health Unit.
  • Wash all dishes in the Blue House kitchen and return them to the cupboards when finished.
  • Let Education staff know right away if anything is missing, broken, or damaged.
  • Take all personal belongings with you when you leave the Blue and Grey Houses.
  • If you’re taking photos, the photographer should remain in modern (street) clothing. 

    • Questions? We’re Happy to Help

    For questions about your reservation, dates, or timing, please contact Group Sales.

    Group Sales

    For questions about the program itself or on‑site details, please contact the Upper Canada Village Youth Programs team.

    Youth Programs