School Break Camps

Full of holiday cheer, this two- day camp will explore all things winter with a touch of festive fun! Woodland games, gallery visits, “cool” experiments and creative crafts are all on the itinerary. Let’s explore, play and finish the winter break with some fun.  

 Code: 68901

January 31: Ice Age Explorers 

Journey back in time to the frozen world of the Ice Age! Together we will uncover the secrets of prehistoric Earth as we learn about woolly mammoths,  giant beavers and other incredible creatures of the past. 

 Code: 68895

March 7 : Shark Day 

Duunnn du dunnn...swim on over for a shark infested day at the Museum! We will conduct experiments to discover how sharks float, learn about shark diversity and get creative with a jawesome craft. Don't miss out on this sharktastic day of fun. 

Code: 68897

Get ready to leap into a season of fun and discovery! Let's celebrate the arrival of warmer days with activities and crafts inspried by nature's renewal.

Code: 68898 

Spend your March Break “on the hill” as we explore, create, and investigate! Each day will bring new learning activities and themes. We will also spend time discovering the galleries, being active outside and visiting our featured exhibit “Snapshots of Canada" on loan from the Canadian Museum of History. 

Code: 68894

Dive into a world of wonder and discovery as kids engage in fun exploration of their five senses! Through hands on activities kids will investigate sight, sound, smell, taste and touch while fostering curiosity. Please advise of any allergies when registering. 

Code: 66508

Have you wondered why there are animals that sleep during the day, and are most active at night? We'll learn about what classifies animals as nocturnal, their special adaptations, and discover what it's like to live under the light of the moon.  

Code: 69302

Escape to the PMA for an evening packed with excitement, creativity and a dash of sugar-coated fun! From a golden ticket scavenger hunt, to candy themed art and science, this program is sure to satisfy those with a sweet tooth. 

Code: 69303

March 1: Underwater Wonders 

Dive into an evening of marine magic after hours at the PMA! Kids will explore the mysteries of the deep ocean, from creating glow-in-the-dark jellyfish to uncovering fascinating facts about sea creatures.  

Code: 69304

April 5: Dino- Night Dig 

Step back in time for a prehistoric adventure! Join us for Dino Night Dig, where young paleontologists will explore the fascinating worlds of dinosaurs including a fossil dig, dino craft and more. 

Code: 69305

• In person at the Peterborough Museum and Archives (300 Hunter St. E., Peterborough, ON)
• By telephone (Visa, Mastercard, American Express): 705-743-5180
• Online: with our XplorRecreation program registration system. Note that by registering online, a valid credit card is required to complete your transaction and registration.

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

• Program staff have completed 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:

• If you child is feeling unwell, please do not attend and call the Museum at 705-743-5180 to notify us of your absence.

• The participant and family members will be required to follow the health and safety and hygiene protocols of the program on a daily basis and compliance will be mandatory.

• If you have any specific health or behavioural concerns regarding your child's participation in camp, please contact the Education and Program Officer at 705-742-7777 ext. 2475 to discuss ways to support your camper and if a 1:1 support role is needed to ensure a positive experience. Please note 1:1 support roles are required to submit a successful vulnerable sector and police screen to attend the program with a child or youth.
• The Museum has a protocol for anaphylactic shock, and a parental clearance form is required if your child has suffered a suspected concussion and wishes to return to the program. 

Drop off and pick up will be located in the Museum Classroom, located on the lower level of the Museum.

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

Upon arrival, enter through the Museum's front doors and make your way to the Museum Classroom on the lower level by using the elevator or stairs located behind the cubbies.  

• Adults are required to sign their children into the program upon arrival in the morning.
• Sign-in begins at 8:45 a.m. Supervision will not be provided before 8:45 a.m.
• Sign-out is available until 4:15 p.m. daily. Supervision will not be provided after 4:15 p.m. Participants who are not picked up by 4:15 will be penalized, as after care is not provided.
• Adults are required to sign their children out of the program daily.
• Late sign-in or early sign-out: please notify staff by calling the Peterborough Museum & Archives at 705-743-5180 if you require a late sign in or early sign out. 

Program sign-in and sign-out will be at the front desk inside the front doors of the Peterborough Museum& Archives. 

• Drop off: 5:30 p.m.
• Pick up: 8:30 p.m. 

Adults are required to sign their children into the program upon arrival and sign out at pick up. 

The City of Peterborough undertakes to safeguard your child(ren) while participating in the Museum's programs. Each child attending camp must complete and submit a PMA Personal Health and Information Form prior to the program start.  We keep this form on file, and you only need to complete it once each calendar year. 

• If you have any specific health or behavioural concerns regarding your child's participation in camp, please contact the Education and Program Officer at 705-742-7777 ext. 2475 to discuss ways to support your camper and if a 1:1 support role is needed to ensure a positive experience. Please note 1:1 support roles are required to submit a successful vulnerable sector and police screen to attend the program with a child or youth. 

PMA Discovery Day Camps require participants and caregivers to be comfortable with the following activities and routines that may occur during a camp day:

• Multiage groupings for Holiday, PA Day and March Break Camps with children ranging in age from 4 years old to 11 years old.
• Supervised outdoor play on the public playground and in the Park green spaces, on a daily basis dependent on weather. 
• Supervised activities in the PMA public exhibition galleries.
• Multiple transitions throughout each day, moving from indoor spaces to outdoor spaces, as well as changes in activity level.
• Short periods of sitting and listening in a group, for examples, during circle time or during learning lessons on a daily basis.
• Outdoor nature time through supervised trail hikes and forest games
• Short periods of screen time in support of learning or during mealtime breaks.

It is the priority of the PMA to create an environment where all children have fun, feel safe and enjoy being in the day camps. In order to ensure this happens, PMA personnel embrace the following guidelines:

• All bodies must be safe.
• All feelings must be safe.
• All environments and equipment must be safe.

Behaviours which are not acceptable and may result in immediate action, such as removal from camp for the remainder of the day, include:

• Endangering the health and safety of any person.
• Using vulgarity, profanity, or obscenity.
• Leaving the program without permission.
• Failing to follow any direction from PMA personnel.
• Stealing and/or damaging property.

It is our mission to provide an inclusive, happy, and safe environment for your camper to grow and learn. We appreciate your support in ensuring a positive camp experience for all participants.

Refund requests are accepted prior to camp start dates and are charged an administration levy of 10% of program fees 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.

• Should a program be cancelled due to public health recommendations all participants will receive a full refund.