For five decades, TRCA’s unique program has provided local and international students with practical experience in archaeological fieldwork.
August 21, 2025, Toronto, ON – On August 19, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Durham District School Board (DDSB), and Durham Continuing Education (DCE) marked the 50th anniversary of the Boyd Archaeological Field School at the Sebastien site near Claremont Nature Centre, where summer high school students are excavating an 800-year-old Middle Iroquoian village.
The anniversary brought together students, alumni, educators, and Indigenous partners for an afternoon of celebration and reflection.
Attendees included: Dr. Peter Storck, Senior Curator Emeritus at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and co-founder of the Boyd Archaeological Field School; John Creese, Curator of Canadian Archaeology at the ROM; Peter Popkins, Vice President of the Ontario Archeological Society; Sabryna Godbout, Coordinator for the Care of the Ancestors, Huron Wendat Nation; and Mary McCue, representative of Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation and instructor at Boyd Archeological Field School.
Guests toured the site, viewed artifacts recovered from the area, and explored displays showcasing student research and projects.
Launched in 1975 in partnership with the Royal Ontario Museum, the Boyd Archaeological Field School is the longest-running program of its kind in Canada.
It offers high school students a unique opportunity to earn academic credits through experiential learning and archaeological fieldwork alongside certified teachers, licensed archaeologists, Indigenous educators, and industry experts.
Each summer, students from Ontario and around the world participate in a 17-day hands-on program hosted at the Claremont Nature Centre in Pickering.
The program combines classroom-based learning with supervised excavations at an active archaeological site, allowing students to earn two Ontario high school credits while gaining practical experience relevant to careers in cultural heritage and archaeology.
The Boyd Archeological Field School has welcomed students from countries such as Japan, South Africa, the United States, Germany, and Italy, underscoring its international reputation.
With nearly 1,500 alumni and more than one million artifacts recovered, this extraordinary program continues to shape the future of archaeology while enhancing young people’s understanding of Indigenous cultures in Ontario.
Over the 50 years of the Boyd Archaeological Field School, students have recovered more than one million artifacts.
When not on site, students take part in workshops and seminars led by archaeological professionals and members of Indigenous communities. These sessions offer hands-on learning in ancient technologies and deeper insight into the culture and contributions of Canada’s First Peoples.
The program’s strength lies in its partnerships, particularly with Indigenous communities. Indigenous educators and industry experts play a key role in the program, providing students with a holistic understanding of the land’s history and the people who have lived on it.
Through these collaborations, the school teaches students to think critically about the artifacts they uncover, considering not only how these objects came to be in the ground but also the lives and cultures of the people who left them behind.
The program’s focus on experiential learning has led to archaeological discoveries and shaped the academic and professional trajectories of many graduates who have pursued careers in archaeology, anthropology, and Indigenous studies, as well as in related fields like paleontology, geology, and forensics.
Celebrating this milestone also highlights the Boyd Archaeological Field School’s significant contributions to archaeology and education, and the thousands of students whose lives have been enriched by the program.
The Boyd Archaeological Field School serves as a model for how schools, educators, and conservation organizations can collaborate to foster critical thinking, cultural awareness, and ultimately, a deeper respect for the land and its history.
As the Boyd Archaeological Field School celebrates 50 years of achievement, TRCA is looking ahead to the next 50 years, seeking partners and supporters to help the program grow, expand student opportunities, and continue advancing cultural and environmental understanding.
To learn more or get involved, visit trca.ca/conservation/archaeology/boydfieldschool.
Quotes:
“The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is proud to partner with the Boyd Archaeological Field School to provide a first-hand opportunity for high school students to explore Ontario’s deep history. With the support of DDSB staff and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) archaeologists, students have access to meaningful and hands on experience in this unique career field. We are excited to celebrate the Boyd Archaeological Field School’s 50th anniversary and look forward to continuing this partnership in the future.”
– Stephen Nevills, Superintendent of Equitable Education, Durham District School Board
“As the Boyd Archaeological Field School’s founding partner, ROM is delighted to celebrate this landmark anniversary. For 50 years, the school has been a hub of experiential learning, where students hone their craft, learning from some of the world’s very best, including ROM curators. The Boyd Archaeological Field School has also been a great unifier, bringing diverse organizations and people together to expand our understanding of the past – and each other.”
– Josh Basseches, Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) Director & Chief Executive Officer
“Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is proud to celebrate this important milestone. For over 50 years, the Boyd Archaeological Field School has delivered exceptional learning opportunities to students from Ontario and around the world. We extend our sincere thanks to our founding partner, the Royal Ontario Museum, and to our current partners, Durham District School Board and Durham Continuing Education. Their collaboration has been essential to the ongoing success of this program. Together, we have created a leading example of archaeological education for secondary school students that supports the recognition and preservation of Indigenous history and culture while meeting the future workforce needs of this unique and important sector.”
– John MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
About Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Since 1957, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), as enabled through the provincial Conservation Authorities Act, has taken action to enhance our region’s natural environment and protect our land, water, and communities from the impacts of flooding and increasingly extreme weather events – Ontario’s leading cause of public emergencies.
As the region’s first line of defence against natural hazards, TRCA maintains vital infrastructure and provides programs and services that promote public health and safety, protecting people and property. TRCA mobilizes a science-based approach to provide sound policy advice, leveraging its position as a not-for-profit operating in the broader public sector to achieve collective impacts within our communities and across all levels of government.
TRCA’s dedication to its employees and sustainability has earned it recognition as both one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. These distinctions highlight TRCA’s commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, and environmentally responsible workplace – dedicated to driving meaningful change and create lasting positive impacts in the communities it serves.
TRCA’s jurisdiction includes nine watersheds and their Lake Ontario shorelines, spanning six upper-tier and fifteen lower-tier municipalities and representing almost five million people, approximately 10% of Canada’s population.
To learn more about TRCA, visit trca.ca.
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