Welcome to Bushplane Summer Camps

Summer Camps 2024

Summer camps at the Bushplane blend fun with learning through themed activities, including games, crafts, and experiments, enriched by guest speakers. Running throughout the summer, each camp offers a unique exploration for children, promising an engaging and educational experience. Dive into our diverse themes and discover the exciting adventures we have in store.

We have 7 weeks of camps planned and they are open to children aged 5-9 (a minimum of 8 campers and a maximum of 18 campers per week). Camps will run Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM with extended hours available from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

bushplane summer camps

Camp 1: July 8-12

All about Planes!
There’s no better place than the Bushplane Museum to get up close and personal with planes and how they fly. Explore the science of flight with hands-on activities and crafts, including a construction brick plane building session. Discover what it takes to become a pilot and get your first pilot “rating”. Kids will learn about flight through various crafts, media, guest speakers, physical activities and more.

summer camps at the bushplane museum

Camp 2: July 15-19

Lost in Space
Join us as we embark on an intergalactic adventure of fun and discovery that will be out-of-this-world. Campers will blast off into a week-long journey filled with stellar activities and games. Discover what it takes to become an astronaut as we explore our Dr. Roberta Bonar exhibit, build your own space rocket, and create your very own alien friends. Kids will learn about Space through various crafts, media, guest speakers, physical activities and more.

Bushplane summer camps

Camp 3: July 22-26

Bugs and Invasive Species
A major contributor to forest fires in Canada are invasive species that affect our eco-systems. Discover the invasive species in our area and what scientists are doing to manage them. Get up-close and personal with a variety of insects and learn about their miniature but impactful world. Create your own bug-inspired art. Kids will learn about bugs and invasive species through a variety of crafts, media, guest speakers, physical activities and more.

summer camps in the soo

Camp 4: July 29-Aug 2

Bushplane Olympics
The Bushplane Olympics were young athletes come together for a week of sportsmanship, teamwork and friendly competition. Let’s experience the spirit of the Olympic Games as our Canadian Athletes travel to Paris to compete. Participate in obstacle courses, create Olympic-themed crafts, and learn about the history and cultural significance of the Games. Kids will be encouraged to dream big and pursue their passions through various crafts, media guest speakers, physical activity and more.

summer camps in the soo

Camp 5: Aug 12-16

The Bushplane Show!
Young performers take center stage for a week of creativity, expression and theatrical delight. This week will present many opportunities for self-expression and artistic explorations as camper will write their own song, choreograph a routine, make their own props and perform in front of our staff. Kids will learn about the performing arts through various crafts, media guest speakers, physical activities and more.

summer camps in the soo

Camp 6: Aug 19-23

Forest Fire Prevention
As the climate changes, it’s becoming more and more important to understand forest fire prevention. Learn about the three properties of fire, how to prevent fires and what professionals do to manage and extinguish them. Meet real firefighters and explore a real fire truck. Play with water with a day of sprinklers, water fights and discovery. Discover the physical and mental skills required to be a real firefighter. Kids will learn about fire and forest fire prevention through various crafts, media, guest speakers, physical activities and more.

summer camps in the soo

Camp 7: Aug 26-30

Reasons for Hope
Join us for an amazing eco-adventure where we will embark on a mission to protect and preserve our planet. Inspire to make a difference in the world around you as we explore our Jane Goodall exhibit and learn about her four pillars of hope. Kids will learn how to create a strong sense of community to help protect the environment and the animals through exciting games, recycled craft projects, media, guest speakers, physical activities and more.

Summer Camp Policies and Procedures

If you selected extended hours, you can drop off your child at 8:30am and pick them up at 4:30pm. Extended hours are $5 per day, per child.

Arriving more than 15 minutes late for pick-up will incur an additional $5 charge per child per 15-minute increment.  

A refund, less a $20 administration fee, will be available for customers up to 14 days prior to camp start. If registration occurs less than 14 days prior to the start of camp, a refund is not available. Cancellations occurring less than 14 days prior to the start of the camp will receive no refund or credit. 

For programs and activities cancelled by The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, refunds will be issued. Cancellations and refund requests should be received in writing to the Program Coordinator at education@bushplane.com. 

Every camper has the right to feel safe in any recreation program. When behavior issues arise or challenges present themselves, we resolve them on an individual basis. All campers are responsible for conducting themselves in accordance with our Participant Code of Conduct: 

  • Show respect and consideration for staff, instructors, leaders in training, volunteers, and other participants in the program. 
  • Be cooperative and willing to participate in programs with the understanding that all participants have varying abilities. 
  • Respect the rules and regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. 
  • Include others in activities when possible. 
  • Play without bullying or teasing others. 
  • Use equipment safely and appropriately. 
  • Use appropriate language. 
  • Adhere to a “hands-off” expectation by not touching or making physical contact with other participants, staff, instructors, leaders in training and volunteers. 

Behaviours that are not tolerated: 

  • Physical aggression – behavior causing or threatening physical harm towards others. 
  • Damaging property – deliberate behavior aimed at destroying, altering or defacing property and/or public spaces. 
  • Inappropriate language – any language considered impolite, rude, or offensive. 
  • Social behavior – any behavior that aims to use social power over another program participant(s), staff, instructor(s), leader(s) in training and volunteer(s).  

The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, its instructors and partners reserve the right to dismiss a participant without warning if, in their opinion, the participant compromises the physical and emotional safety of themselves, other participants, staff, instructors, leaders in training and volunteers or has failed to cooperate with any rules or code of conduct. The parent/guardian will be notified immediately by phone and is expected to pick up their child as soon as possible.  

It is important that campers attending The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre Summer Camps are “program ready” to ensure the best possible experience for all campers while at camp. Our goal is to ensure the safety of all campers at any given time.  

Please make your sure your child is ready for camp by confidently answering “yes” to the below questions:  

  • The child can take instruction from a staff person and participate in planned activities. 
  • The child can perform daily activities (such as using the washroom) without a known guardian present and not having regular activities. 
  • The child feels comfortable interacting in a group environment, to the best of their ability. 
  • The child can participate in a way that is safe for themselves and others. 

Children at camp who are not ready may be withdrawn at supervisory staff’s discretion. 

  • Backpack. 
  • Lunch and snacks.
  • An extra set of clothing.  
  • Required medication (prescription only). 
  • A peanut/nut free lunch and snacks. 
  • A reusable water bottle. 
  • Hat. 
  • Sunscreen. 
  • Closed toe indoor shoes. 
  • Outdoor footwear/clothing appropriate for the weather. 

Our Safe Arrival and Dismissal Policy ensures that children are only released into the care of their parent/guardian or into the care of an individual designated by the parent/guardian at the time of registration. 

Families may add individuals to the list at any time by contacting the Program Coordinator, education@bushplane.com 

Parents, guardians, and caregivers must sign their children in and out daily, and present photo I.D. when picking up their camper to ensure campers are released to the appropriate caregiver. 

For the safety of all campers, we ask that all staff and participants refrain from bringing peanuts and other nut products into camp.  

While we discourage participants and staff from bringing peanut and nut products to programs, campers and their families must be aware that our facilities are not peanut and nut-free. Items in our store, kitchen, facility, etc. may contain peanut and nut products. 

Some camp activities involve pre-packaged snacks or treats. Parents of campers with food allergies will be notified before camp starts to ensure activities are safe for their child. Additionally, all special treats given to campers by camp staff (i.e., popsicles, popcorn) are all purchased from nut-free facilities. 

Pictures and videos are taken daily at all camps. Photos and videos are used for the promotion of programs on municipal and partner social media platforms, websites, and print promotions.  At the time of registration, please indicate if you do not want your child’s photo used in any publications. 

We ask that campers leave their electronic devices at home for the duration of camp. The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre is not responsible for lost or stolen items. 

Campers are asked not to attend camps if they show signs and symptoms of contagious illnesses or communicable diseases including COVID-19. Masks are not mandatory, but always welcome.  

Camps will run rain or shine! 

In the event of inclement weather, (i.e. an expected storm) camp participants will be notified by email of any changes.  

Ensure your email is up to date on the registration form. 

Registration for Summer Camps

Complete the form below to register your child for a Bushplane Summer Camp. One registration form must be completed per child.