Summer Camps

Summer Camp at SMG

Sharon Museum & Gardens offers a one-of-a-kind summer camp experience set on beautiful parkland surrounded by historic buildings and local heritage!

During the months of July and August, we host 6 weeks of fun-filled, hands-on summer camps, each week following a different theme. Campers must be between the ages of 6 - 12 to participate. Each camp week accommodates up to 30 participants in total, supervised by a team of 3 camp counsellors. See below for this year's camp options and for more info!

At Sharon Museum & Gardens, we strive to provide a positive, educational, and rewarding experience for all campers. We welcome all campers to explore nature, play, and local history on the Museum’s 5 acreage. We ask that campers join us in making this summer a safe and rewarding experience for all by:

Being respectful of others, the environment, and their leaders.
Coming to camp ready to participate and play with others.
Listening and contributing to camp rules and expectations.

The Town of East Gwillimbury is in no way responsible for any camp operations at SMG, including COVID 19 safety measures and requirements.

Our summer camps are located at 18974 Leslie St., Sharon, ON.

Any questions please contact us at 905-478-2389 or info@sharonmuseumandgardens.ca

Registration opens HERE on Feb. 16, 2026 for East Gwillimbury residents!

Registration will be completed through the Town of East Gwillimbury's iReg system. It will open for East Gwillimbury residents on February 16th, 2026, and for non-residents on February 23th, 2026.

2026 Summer Camp Programs

Animal & Farming Adventures

July 6 - 10, 2026. $235 per child.

Animals, Farming, & Agriculture

Does your child love animals? This week invites campers to explore the wide and wonderful animal kingdom, from wild creatures to the animals that have helped people live and farm for centuries. Through hands-on activities, storytelling, games, and crafts, campers will learn about animal groups such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, while also discovering the important role animals play in agriculture and farm life. Campers will also learn how to think and work like a farmer by exploring how land is used, investigating plants, and visiting local farmers’ markets. They will meet and care for our heritage chickens, learning about farm animal responsibilities and food production in the past and present. The week also includes a special visit from Zoo to You, giving campers the opportunity to encounter a variety of fascinating animals up close.

Nature Detectives

July 27 - 31, 2026. $235 per child.

Nature, Gardening, Outdoor Discovery
From bugs to blooms to all things found in the great outdoors, campers will explore the 5 acres that make up Sharon Museum & Gardens, connecting with nature and investigating what happens above and below the soil. Campers will learn about gardening, plants, insects, wildlife, the natural world, and the different purposes for organic materials. They will have the opportunity to care for our heritage chickens; to plant and harvest vegetables; to use natural materials for artistic and practical creations; and to bake and cook delicious treats using fresh harvests from our gardens! Each day is jam-packed with games, crafts, and hands-on activities for kids who love to get their hands dirty and spend time outside. This week also includes a special visit from Mad Science, who will lead a hands-on workshop about the amazing world of bugs!

Super Scientists

July 13 - 17, 2026. $235 per child.

Science, Engineering, & Innovation
Blast off into a week of discovery, invention, and experimentation! During this STEM-focused camp, campers will explore science and engineering through hands-on activities inspired by chemistry, space, innovation, and curiosity. Campers will think like scientists and engineers as they conduct exciting experiments, investigate chemical reactions, explore innovative technologies, and build simple machines and structures. From crafting constellations and launching mini rockets to mixing slime and exploring the basics of physics and chemistry, this week encourages problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork. This week also includes a special visit from Mad Science, who will lead a hands-on workshop about the mysteries of chemical science!

Time Travellers

August 4 - 7, 2026. $190 per child.

History, Adventure, & 19th Century Skills
Calling all time travelers! This week invites campers to step back in time and experience life in the 19th century and beyond through hands-on activities, games, and historical exploration. Using the rich heritage of the museum grounds, campers will explore historic buildings, learn traditional skills, and discover what daily life was like for children in the past. Throughout the week, campers will take part in interactive adventures including scavenger hunts, puzzles, and historic crafts as they navigate the site. They will try their hands at butter making, weaving, lantern making, and other history-inspired activities. The week also includes a special visit from Knights in the Classroom, an improvisational education group!

**Please note that this week is only four days due to the Civic Holiday on August 3, 2026. This is reflected in the price.

Knights & Pirates

July 20 - 24, 2026. $235 per child.

Medieval Adventures, Knights, & Pirates

Calling all brave knights and daring pirates! This imaginative week invites campers to step into a world of castles, ships, quests, and treasure. Through games, crafts, storytelling, and role-play, campers will explore legends of the medieval world and the high seas while building teamwork, creativity, and confidence. Campers will design shields and pirate flags, create maps and treasure clues, build simple props, and take part in adventurous challenges across the museum grounds. From knightly quests and obstacle courses to pirate scavenger hunts and storytelling games, each day blends medieval-inspired play with classic summer camp fun. The week also includes a special visit from Knights in the Classroom, an improvisational education group!

Artists in Action

August 10 - 14, 2026. $235 per child.

Art, Craftsmanship, & Music
Step into a world of colour, creativity, and imagination! Campers will explore art forms from across time and cultures through hands-on creative projects. They will take on the role of artists and makers as they experiment with materials, tools, and techniques to create their own masterpieces. Throughout the week, campers will explore visual art, painting, crafting, textile-making, pottery, and printmaking, while also discovering how music connects to creative expression. They will have the opportunity to examine the artistry and design of the museum’s historic buildings, use these structures as inspiration, and explore historical musical instruments in the Sharon Temple. From pottery and mosaics to colour experiments and paper instruments, this week celebrates self-expression, collaboration, and hands-on craftsmanship. This week will also include a special pottery painting session where campers will design their own ceramic pieces and have them fired to take home.

Welcome to camp at Sharon Museum & Gardens!

Sharon Museum & Gardens strives to provide a positive, educational, and rewarding experience for all campers. We welcome all campers to explore nature, play, and local history on the Museum’s 5 acreage. We ask that campers join us in making this summer a safe and rewarding experience for all by:

Being respectful of others, the environment, and their leaders.
Coming to camp ready to participate and play with others.
Listening and contributing to camp rules and expectations.

Staff Training & Supervision: All our staff are First-Aid and CPR certified. Our staff maintain safe supervision by monitoring, maintaining staff to child ratios, and conducting head counts at all times throughout the day.

Ages: Campers must be between the ages of 6 and 12.

Camp Location: The camp is located at Sharon Museum & Gardens (formerly the Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum). You can find us at: 18974 Leslie Street, Sharon, ON L0G 1V0.

Weather Considerations: Our camp has an indoor facility, but we endeavor to make use of and enjoy the large outdoor space offered by the museum’s grounds. Campers will spend time outside throughout the day. Should there be inclement weather, activities will be adjusted accordingly to ensure camper safety.

Full-Day Camp Schedule: We offer camps for six weeks from July 6th to August 14th for five days a week (Mondays – Fridays) with the exception of August 3rd, 2026 (Civic Holiday). Extended care begins at 8:30am, and campers may not be dropped off before that time. Campers may be picked up at any time between 4:00pm and 5:00pm during afternoon extended care.

Once a week, campers can participate in Water Day. This will generally fall in the afternoon of the chosen day, likely between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.

Water Day: Each week, campers may participate in Water Day. This will take place on the museum park grounds and will consist of water play with sprinklers, buckets, sponges, etc. Campers are required to bring a bathing suit, change of clothes, and a towel in order to participate. Camp Staff will confirm the date for Water Day each week.

Absent or Late: If you know that your child(ren) will be absent or late in advance, please email the Summer Camp Lead or call the museum to inform us. If the Camp Team has not heard from you, the Camp Lead will call the primary contact to confirm your child(ren)’s absence or late arrival.

Late Pick-up Procedure: Campers must be picked up between 4:00pm and 5:00pm. If for any reason you are running late, please notify us at 905-478-2389, indicating your child’s name. This information will be passed along to Camp Staff.

Camper Pick Up and Drop Off: Please ensure that permitted chaperons and emergency contacts are indicated with your registration. Only those who are listed will be permitted to pick up your child(ren) and will be required to show proper identification upon pickup (i.e., driver’s license). Parents, guardians, and caregivers must show photo I.D. daily when picking up their camper to ensure that campers are released to the appropriate caregiver. All campers must be signed in and out of camp daily by their parent, guardian, or authorized caregiver.

Weekly Newsletter: You will receive a welcome email the Thursday before the start of camp with the following forms for completion: Allergy/medication form, authorized pick-up form.

Medical Information: Please ensure that all medical concerns (medications, allergies, epi-pen, etc.) are up to date and properly documented during registration.

Illness Protocol: If a child becomes ill during camp hours, a parent/guardian will be called and notified immediately to pick up the child in question.

What to Bring to Camp?

Hat and sunscreen
Weather appropriate clothing for outdoor activities
Closed toe shoes
Bathing suit, change of clothes, and a towel for Water Day (optional)
Healthy lunch
Morning and afternoon snack
Refillable water bottle

What to Leave at Home?

We ask that campers leave their electronic devices and other valuable items at home for the duration of camp, which may include electronic games, iPads, cellphones, money, etc. – all of which are not permitted at camp. The Sharon Temple Museum is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
However, the Camp Staff will maintain a Lost and Found Box. These items will be kept for two weeks.

Snacks and Lunches:

Our camp strives to be nut-aware. Please do not send products containing nuts or that may contain nuts listed on the labels. These guidelines ensure that all campers may safely attend camp. Please pack a healthy, nut-free lunch and snacks in easy to open containers and a refillable water bottle each day. Campers are not permitted to share food with any other campers.

Participant Code of Conduct

It is our goal that every participant feels safe and comfortable in our camps. We aim to provide a fun and engaging experience here at the Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum. All participants are expected to follow our Camp Code of Conduct:

Show respect and consideration to staff and other campers.
Cooperate with each other and be willing to participate in camp programming.
Respect the rules and regulations of camp to ensure the safety and comfort of all campers. This includes:
- Staying with your group.
- Listening to your camp counsellors.
- Telling a camp counsellor if someone/something is bothering or upsetting you.
- Play without bullying or teasing others. We expect campers to be "hands-off", meaning that they do not touch or make physical contact with other participants or staff.

Include others in activities when possible.
Use any play equipment safely and appropriately.
Come to camp with a positive attitude, ready to participate.

Behaviours that are not tolerated at camp:

Physical aggression: behaviour causing or threatening physical harm towards others.
Damaging property: deliberate behaviour aimed at destroying, altering, or defacing property and/or public spaces.
Inappropriate language: language that is considered to be impolite, rude, or offensive.
Social behaviour: any behaviour that uses social power over another program participant or staff.

Our staff work with participants on an individual basis to implement strategies for handling conflict and making changes when necessary.