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 36th 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 new youth camp for those aged 10 -14! 

We are excited to introduce a new camp program for those aged 10-14.  "Youseum" is our first youth discovery camp and is a creative blend of art, exhibit making and story telling! This one week camp runs the week of August 21 to 26, cost $250 and has spaces available. Scroll down to learn more.

Register online for Summer Discovery Camps

 

LocationCampers looking at the Lift Lock

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)

Cost

Summer and Junior Discovery

  • $250 per child, per program (each program is one week in length)
  • $200 per child for Week 6: August 8 to 11 (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

Week 1: July 5 to 7

  • Youth Leadership Program (ages 14 to 18)
  • Course Code: 38072

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 ages 14+ and is a pre-requisite to volunteer in our Summer and Junior Discovery camps. The program includes orientation and training seminars the first week of July, followed by a two-week placement in our summer day camp programs. 

 Week 2: July 10 to 14

  • Can you Build It? (Junior Discovery)children standing around an exploration tray
  • Course Code & Category: 38059 - Inspiring Play

Calling all builders! Get ready to put your creativity to the test, as we build bridges, skyscrapers, and more in the 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: 38060 - 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?

 Week 3: July 17 to 21

  • Camp Jellybean (Junior Discovery)Boy with paint
  • Course Code & Category:  38061 - 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: 38062 - 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!

Week 4: July 24 to 28

  • Ocean Quest (Junior Discovery)Mason jar jellyfish craft

  • Course Code & Category: 38064 - 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: 38063 - Science & Technology

What is the biggest habitat on Earth, has the most diverse species that live in it, and is home to the biggest animal to have 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.

Week 5: July 31 to August 4

  • Dinosaurs Rock! (Junior Discovery)Dinosaur Craft
  • Course Code & Category: 38065 - 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: 38066 - Inspiring Play

Can you dig it? Learn the ins and outs of archeology 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 discover mythological creatures from folklore.   

Week 6: August 8 to 11 (4-day week)

  • Big Beautiful World (Junior Discovery)Augmented reality sandbox with topographic lines and colours
  • Course Code & Category: 38067 - Inspiring Play

By using a combination of science, art, exploration, and discovery, we will look at the diverse and amazing beauty that can be found all around us! Themes such as weather, nature, plants, bugs and animals will all be explored as we learn more about our wonderful planet and how we can protect it. Lots of time will be spent outdoors, discovering what beauty is right under our noses everyday!

 

  • Eco-Explorers (Summer Discovery)
  • Course Code & Category: 38068 - Inspiring Play

We only have one planet Earth - let's learn how to protect it! Campers will spend the week exploring in nature to appreciate the beauty that is all around us and learn about the delicate ecosystems that connect us all. We will also conduct scientific experiments to discover the harms of climate change and learn how even small actions can create a big impact when it comes to sustainability. 

 

Week 7: August 14 to 18

  • Face Outer Space (Junior Discovery)Bpys looking at a satellite
  • Course Code & Category: 38069 - Science & Technology

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 spacesuits and get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure!

 

  • Space Explorers (Summer Discovery)
  • Course Code & Category: 38070 - 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.

Week 8: August 21 to 26

  • Youth Discovery: Youseum
  • Course Code and Category: 38071 - Art

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

 

Campers outside with sidewalk chalk

Camp details - please read through carefully before registering

Sign-in and sign-out

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; there will be no half- or single-day options.

  • In order to maintain site requirements, parents or family members will not have access to the program site and will be restricted to the drop-off and pick-up location at all times;
  • 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: as parents / family members do not have access to the program site, please call the Museum to inform of your arrival. A program staff member will then meet you at the front doors of the Museum to complete your entry screening and sign-in, or to walk your child out for sign-out. 

Locations

  • 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 

Registration will open online on Monday, January 23 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 Policy

  • 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. 

Waitlist

  • 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. 

What to bring

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
  • Choice to wear a face mask

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

Walking excursions may be planned over the timeline of the program, however will be pending local pandemic climate and will follow provincial and local public health guidelines. Families will be provided with communication specific to this activity in advance, if they are to occur. 

Health or Behavioural concerns

Please notify the instructor about any health or behavioural concerns you may have regarding your child's participation in Summer Discovery. 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.

Photos

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"

Health and Safety

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

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

In order for this program to be successful, participants and families are asked to adhere to the following procedures and guidelines:

  • We recommend that participants self screen at home prior to attending the program using the online school screening tool 
  • If you child is feeling unwell or does not pass the screening, please do not attend and call the Museum at 705-743-5180 to notify us of your absence.

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 and Information Form 2023