By MICHELLE NUSSEY

Staff Writer

Travelling as a child can be a terrifying experience. There is nothing familiar or comforting to hang onto. But, with a little education, travelling may not have to be as scary. It could even be fun.

The St. Catharines Museum is hosting an exhibit called Pack Your Bags! A Kid’s Ticket to Travel until April 11.

This exhibit focuses on why people travel and how travelling can change them. There are five kinds of travel in the exhibit: travelling to a new home, visiting new places, taking on new challenges, joining in a celebration and taking imaginary trips to dream locations. Isabel Bachman, program aid, oversees most activities and makes sure things are running smoothly.

Bachman says, “Every year the Canadian Children’s Book Centre gives a book to children in school and this year it was a book on travel. This exhibit fits in really well with the curriculum.” When the children first arrive they are asked to decorate a paper cut-out of a suitcase.

They have a front- and back-side they can decorate however they please. There are foam cut-outs of different shapes and sparkly confetti to glue on. After the suitcase, they need what any traveller would need: a passport. Passports need to be filled in with all the critical information, complete with a drawn photo of the passport holder.

When entering the actual exhibit, the children must have their passport stamped and go through customs. Bachman says, “It’s really to show children that they don’t need to be scared when people start asking them questions.” Inside the actual exhibit there are activities for all the senses: scents of different places, textures and sound games. There are videos, books, puzzles, blocks, games and any number of things to keep eager minds learning.

Bachman says, “They said it was hands-on but I would have never anticipated how true it was.” The exhibit travels all over North America so the signs are in English and French. Bachman explains that school trips are led through the exhibit to learn about travel, and since it is bilingual the French immersion schools can enjoy it too. Sandy Lewies, working as customs agent and tour guide at the exhibit, says, “Not just school tours come through. We’ve had the Girl Guides and Sparks because they can get their travel badges.” Lewies brought her grandchildren to the exhibit and they had a great time. She says, “They spent two hours between Customs and the restaurant [one short wall of the exhibit].”

The age range for the exhibit is Grades 1 to 4, but Bachman explains it is fun for all ages. Toddlers are enticed by the bright colours, videos and sounds. School children Grades 6 to 8 look more into the mechanics of travel. Bachman says, “We even had some seniors come through and they had a wonderful time.” Julia Johnson, at the exhibit with her husband and his brother’s family, says, “I didn’t even know it was here, but it’s really great.

It will keep [the children] amused.” The museum, at 1932 Welland Canals Pkwy. in St. Catharines, is open 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. weekends. For more information call 905-984-8880.