Museum Discovery

Campers Eating in Pavilion

Summer Discovery Day Camps

Your museum adventure awaits this summer at the Peterborough Museum & Archives! Summer Discovery Camps will be returning for our 37th season of providing rich, diverse, fun and educational summer camps for children.  With new themes weekly and a focus on education, you can expect our camps to deliver quality programming. See below for all of the details including new weekly themes, an extended pick up window to 4:45 p.m. and a youth camp for those aged 10 to 14! 

Summer Discovery and Youth Leader programs have wrapped up for 2024. Hope to see you in 2025!

Register for Summer Discovery Camps Online 

LocationCampers sitting on a bench

Day camps take place in our large air conditioned barrier free spaces (multi purpose room and Fleming Annex), the Heritage Pavilion, galleries and surrounding green space including our accessible play structure. 

Ages

  • Junior Discovery is for children ages 4 to 6 years old (based on the start date of the program)
  • Summer Discovery is for children ages 7 to 11 years old (based on the start date of the program)
  • Youth Discovery is for youth aged 10 to 14 years old (based on the start date of the program)

CostCampers gathered in front of pavilion

Summer and Junior Discovery

  • $250 per child, per program (each program is one week in length)
  • $200 per child for Week 6: August 6 to 9 (4-day week)

Youth Leadership Program

  • $150 per youth

Youth Discovery Camp

  • $250 per youth

Time 

Camp runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

  • Drop off is between 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 
  • Pick up is between 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. 

Discovery Camp Themes 2024

If you enjoy arts and crafts, the outdoors and working with kids, you’ll want to join our dynamic Youth Leadership Team! This program is for youth aged 14 + and is a pre-requisite to volunteer in our Summer Discovery camps. Program includes orientation and training seminars the first week of July, followed by a two-week placement in our summer day camp programs. 

  • Camp Jellybean (Junior Discovery)Campers making S'Mores
  • Course Code & Category: 56859 - Inspiring Play

Welcome to Camp Jellybean! Hike on over for a week of nature fun, inspired by the adventure of outdoor camping. Help us build a "campfire". sing songs, play traditional camping games, and don't forget the s'mores!   

 

  • The Great Camping Adventure (Summer Discovery) 

  • Course Code & Category: 56860 - Inspiring Play

Explore the bounty of the great outdoors at Camp Jellybean! We will build a "campfire", sing songs, cook s'mores in our solar ovens, learn survival skills, go on hikes and so much more in this camping-inspired week!

 

  • Dionsaurs Rock! (Junior Discovery)Kids digging in sandbox
  • Course Code & Category:  56861 - Inspiring Play

Let's walk with the dinosaurs and explore the fascinating reptiles that once ruled the Earth! Campers will explore the study of paleontology, perform a dig and make their own fossils while learning about these amazing Jurassic beasts.     

                                                                          

  • Do Ya Dig It? (Summer Discovery) 

  • Course Code & Category: 56862 - Inspiring Play 

Can you dig it? Learn the ins and outs of archaeology and paleontology as we perform excavations, examine artifacts, create fossils, and explore the mysteries of long ago! Let’s walk with the dinosaurs, stroll with the giant mammals of the Ice Age and learn the fascinating history of prehistoric times.

  • Face Outer Space (Junior Discovery)Mason jar jellyfish craft

  • Course Code & Category: 56863 - Inspiring Play

To infinity and beyond! Meet us among the stars as we learn about space travel, the solar system and the wonders of the universe. Put on your spacesuit and get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure.

               

  • Space Explorers (Summer Discovery)

  • Course Code & Category: 56864 - Science & Technology

Calling all young astronauts! Join us for an epic space adventure, as we travel from earth to the far reaches of our galaxy. From space travel to the solar system and beyond, this week is all about exploring the limitless potential and mysterious wonders of outer space. 

  • Ocean Quest (Junior Discovery)Ocean Craft
  • Course Code & Category: 56865 - Inspiring Play

Sharks, sea turtles, and mermaids, oh my! Let’s dive into the amazing world of ocean life, marine mythology, and underwater habitats through art, experiments, and imaginative play. 

 

  • Exploring the Deep Blue Sea (Summer Discovery)
  • Course Code & Category: 56866 - Science & Technology

What is the biggest habitat on Earth, has the largest variety of species that live in it, and is home to the biggest animal that ever existed? Well, the ocean of course! Spend the week diving into the fascinating world of the ocean, learning about marine life, adaptations and the mysterious deep sea. 

   

  • A Bug's Life (Junior Discovery)Augmented reality sandbox with topographic lines and colours
  • Course Code & Category: 56867 - Inspiring Play

We’re bugging out this week, as we explore the fascinating worlds of insects! Learn about pollination, special insect adaptations, how to catch bugs safely and the wide variety of beautiful insects that live in our own backyard. Through art, science and outdoor exploration, campers are sure to have a bug-tastic week learning about our littlest friends.

 

  • Forces of Nature (Summer Discovery)
  • Course Code & Category: 56868 - Science & Technology

Discover some of the strongest forces of nature, as we delve into all things planet Earth! Let’s learn the science behind some of nature’s most awesome forces including volcanoes, glaciers, tidal waves, tornadoes and more. What causes these great natural events, and where do they occur? Campers will also learn the impacts of climate change and how even small actions make a difference. 

 

 

  • Can You Build It? (Junior Discovery)Bpys looking at a satellite
  • Course Code & Category: 56869 - Science & Technology

Calling all builders! Get ready to put your creativity to the test, as we build bridges, skyscrapers, and more in this week of engineering fun. We will experiment with different materials including Lego, blocks and recyclables and test the strength of our creations in fun challenges!

 

  • STEAM Lab (Summer Discovery)
  • Course Code & Category: 56870 - Science & Technology

Grab your goggles and enter our STEAM Lab! Through experiments and challenges that incorporate the 5 strands of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math) we will challenge you to think outside the box as you build, create, design and explore! Are you up for the challenge? 

  • Youth Discovery: YouseumCampers in Curatorial Centre
  • Course Code and Category: 56871 - Art

Get ready to let your imagination run wild in this creative camp for youth ages 10-14! Campers will learn the ins and outs of exhibition making as they design their own by creating unique and imaginative artifacts. What will you design? The sky is the limit!  Follow us down the rabbit hole in this imaginative camp full of art, collaboration, and whimsy.

 

Campers outside with sidewalk chalk

Camp details - please read through carefully before registering

Drop off and pick up will be located at the Heritage Pavilion, beside the Peterborough Museum & Archives. 

  • Drop off: 8:15 to 9 a.m.
  • Pick up: 4 to 4:45 p.m.

Please note that each program is one week in length.

  • Sign-in will begin at 8:15 a.m. daily. Supervision will not be provided before this time;
  • Sign-out is available until 4:45 p.m. daily. Supervision will not be provided after 4:45 p.m. Participants who are not picked up by 4:45 p.m. will be penalized, as after care is not provided;
  • Campers must be accompanied by an adult during morning sign-in, and afternoon sign-out - unless written permission has been provided and an arrangement has been discussed with a program supervisor. 
  • Late sign-in or early sign-out: please notify program staff if you will be late to arrive to camp or requiring an early pick up.
  • The Peterborough Museum & Archives is located at 300 Hunter St. E., Peterborough, ON
  • Junior Discovery will be based out of the Fleming Annex, just outside the front doors of the museum
  • Summer Discovery and Youth Discovery will be based out of the Multi-Purpose Classroom on the lower level of the museum

Registration will open online on Monday, March 4 at 9:30 a.m. and is first-come, first-served. 

  • Online: using the XplorRecreation program registration system, you can create your own account and register for camps from the comfort of home. To navigate the system quickly, be sure to search using the course codes provided in the camp descriptions. 
  • By telephone (Visa, MasterCard, American Express): 705-743-5180
  • Refund requests are accepted prior to camp start dates and are charged an administration levy of 10% of program fee or $5 minimum.
  • Refunds are not provided once the program starts unless accompanied by a medical note approved by the program supervisor or Manager designate. 
  • Front line teams will refer the request to the program supervisor for approval and will take no action within the event roster or client account. 
  • Pending availability, transfer requests will be accepted and approved. 
  • We do maintain an active waitlist for our Summer Discovery Day Camps.
  • If you are unsuccessful in registering for a program because it is full, please consider adding your child to our waitlist.
  • Should a spot become available we will contact those on the waitlist first, in the appropriate order using the phone number on your XplorRecreation account. 
  • Depending on the situation we will either leave a voicemail giving you a date to respond by to claim the spot, or in more urgent situations will offer the spot to the first family that answers the phone call. 

Participants are required to bring the following each day to the program:

  • Backpack that holds all items comfortably;
  • Refillable water bottle;
  • Nut-free snacks for morning and afternoon;
  • Nut-free lunch;
  • Personal sunscreen;
  • Athletic footwear, comfortable clothing, and a hat

All items brought to the program require the child's first initial and last name.

Each participant will have their own dedicated cubby space to store their belongings. 

No additional personal or electronic items will be permitted at the program.

No sharing of participant items will be allowed at any time.

This program is nut- and scent-sensitive.

Walking excursions may be planned over the timeline of the program. Families will be provided with communication specific to this activity in advance, if they are to occur. 

We want campers to have the best experience possible while attending our programs. If you have any health or behavioural concerns regarding your child's participation, please contact us in advance to create a plan to ensure a positive camp experience.

If families and campers require additional 1:1 support while attending camp, please contact our Education Officer directly to obtain information on 1:1 support roles and the required submission of a successful vulnerable sector and police screen to attend the program with the child or youth. If a camper has 1:1 support at school, this is often an indicator they will require 1:1 support at camp. 

Behaviour expectations are clearly shared with campers at the start of their camp program. Museum staff reserve the right to remove campers from programs as required. Families may be contacted for support with behaviour needs where applicable.

The Museum has a protocol for anaphylactic shock and a parental clearance form is required if your child has suffered a suspected concussion. Please see the "Participant Information Form" below for inclusion of these concerns.

In the course of all program activities, we may take photos and audio and/or visual recordings. We reserve the right to use all photographs and videos of our programs, participants, special events and facilities for promotional purposes. If you would prefer your child's image is not used in promotional material, please note this in the "Participant Information Form"

To ensure the safety and health of our participants and staff:

  • Program staff have completed First Aid and CPR 'C' training prior to program start.
  • Scheduled hand washing, washroom access, and hand sanitizer will be available throughout the day. 

If your camper is unwell or will be absent, families are asked to contact the Museum to advise. If a call has not been received and children have not arrived by 9:15 a.m., camp personnel will contact families to check in.

If a camper misses camp program time due to illness, a refund is not automatically provided. The family is required to submit a medical document to the attention of the Education Officer to request a partial or full refund of the camp fee. A refund will be granted once the request has been received, pending approval.

Participant information form 

All participants are required to have a completed participant information form, prior to the program start date. Access to the program will be denied otherwise, as registration is not complete without one for each child attending. Please click on the link below to complete the form.

Personal Health & Information Form 2024