Camps | SMG

Summer Camp at SMG

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 4.5 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.

Campers must be between the ages of 6 - 12. Each week runs with a maximum of 30 participants in total. Each week is divided into Junior (6-8) and Senior (9-12) groups; participants must register into the proper age group.

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

Animal Kingdom

July 7 - 11th, $235 per child.

Does your child love animals? Come out to explore the vast animal kingdom this week! Throughout this week, campers will learn about different animal groups like reptiles, mammals, birds, and more through storytelling, themed crafts, and games and scavenger hunts. They will have hands-on experience with our heritage chickens on site, and they will be visited by Zoo to You this week to meet even more fascinating creatures!

Nature Explorers

July 28th - August 1st, $235 per child.

From bugs to blooms to all things found in the great outdoors, campers will explore the 4.5 acres that make up Sharon Museum & Gardens, connecting with nature and investigating what happens above and below the soil. Campers will learn how to take care of our heritage chickens; how to plant, care for, and harvest vegetables; and how to bake with 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.

Interstellar Innovators

July 14 - 18th, $235 per child.

Join us this week for an immersive adventure beyond the stars! Campers will foray out into the farthest reaches our solar system during this space-themed week of camp; they’ll be introduced to basic STEM concepts through engaging activities and crafts, like building simple rockets and crafting constellations, alongside all the regular summer camp fun of outdoor games.

Adventure!

August 5 - 8th, $190 per child.

Join us for puzzle-cracking, riddle-solving fun, and come with us on an adventure or two! Throughout this week, campers will embark on an adventure around the Museum, participating in obstacle courses, treasure hunts, and map-reading challenges, in addition to regular camp activities like games and crafts. They’ll also enjoy a visit from Knights in the Classroom, the improvisational education group!

**Please note that this week is only four days due to the Civic Holiday on August 4th, 2025

Time Travelers

July 21 - 25th. $235 per child.

Calling all time travelers! This week, campers will immerse themselves in times gone by and explore the past, taking advantage of the heritage found on our site. In addition to summer camp games and crafts, campers will explore our historical buildings and try their hands at skills and crafts from the 19th-century and beyond. They’ll also enjoy a visit from Knights in the Classroom, the improvisational education group!

Deep Sea Discovery

August 11 - 15th, $235 per child.

This week, campers will dive into the deep sea to discover what kind of creatures live beneath the waves and discover the many people who have sailed atop them. Through themed crafts, games, and activities, campers will explore our planet’s oceans as well as experience the regular fun of summer camp. Campers will also be visited by pirates from "Pirate Life" and their boatmobile to learn how to become true pirates! Pirate Life is a charitable arts organization that works to create exciting and accessible arts experiences across Ontario.

Welcome to camp at Sharon Museum & Gardens!

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 7th to August 15th for five days a week (Mondays – Fridays) with the exception of August 4th, 2025 (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 Sharon Temple 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.

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.

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.