Are you interested in going on your first camping trip but don’t know where to begin? The Learn-to Camp team has you covered!
In collaboration with MEC, the Parks Canada Learn-to Camp program equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to feel confident in planning and carrying out your first adventure. We’d love for you to come and learn about camping, national parks and historic sites and the outdoors with us!
There are three ways to get your first taste of camping or enhance your skills in taking your outdoor experience to the next level:
Pop-up activities
Free, drop-in sessions at convenient locations and festivals throughout Ottawa and Gatineau. Find us along the Rideau Canal National Historic Site, at municipal parks and beaches, and at various other locations in the National Capital Region, including select museums. The 2019 schedule will be updated throughout the season and may vary depending on the weather conditions.
May
| Date | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 31 | Canadian Museum of Nature – Nature nocturne | 8pm – 12pm |
June
| Date | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, June 8 | Andrew Haydon park Mooney’s Bay park |
10am – 4pm |
| Sunday, June 9 | Rideau Canal – Hartwells lockstation Mooney’s Bay park |
10am – 4pm |
| Thursday, June 13 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 5pm – 8pm |
| Saturday, June 15 | Rideau Canal – Hartwells lockstation | 10am – 4pm |
| Sunday, June 16 | Andrew Haydon park | 10am – 4pm |
| Thursday, June 20 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 5pm – 8pm |
| Saturday, June 22 | Rideau Canal – Hartwells lockstation Rideau Canal – Ottawa lockstation |
10am – 4pm |
| Sunday, June 23 | Andrew Haydon park Rideau Canal – Hartwells lockstation |
10am – 4pm |
| Monday, June 24 | Rideau Canal – Hartwells lockstation | 10am – 4pm |
| Wednesday, June 26 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 10am – 4pm |
| Thursday, June 27 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 5pm – 8pm |
| Friday, June 28 | Canadian Museum of Nature – Nature nocturne Rideau Canal – Ottawa lockstation |
8pm – 12pm 10am – 4pm |
| Saturday, June 29 | Mooney’s Bay park | 10am – 4pm |
| Sunday, June 30 | Andrew Haydon park Rideau Canal – Hartwells lockstation |
10am – 4pm |
July
| Date | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, July 1 | Rideau Canal – Hartwells lockstation | 10am – 4pm |
| Wednesday, July 3 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 10am – 4pm |
| Thursday, July 4 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 5pm – 8pm |
| Friday, July 5 | Mooney’s Bay park | 10am – 4pm |
| Saturday, July 6 | Tales and Tunes: Family Fun Day at the Library! – Ben Franklin Place, Ottawa |
12pm – 5pm |
| Sunday, July 7 | Andrew Haydon park | 10am – 4pm |
| Wednesday, July 10 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 10am – 4pm |
| Thursday, July 11 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 5pm – 8pm |
| Wednesday, July 17 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 10am – 4pm |
| Thursday, July 18 | Mooney’s Bay park Canadian Museum of Nature |
10am – 4pm 5pm – 8pm |
| Saturday, July 20 | Parks Day – Thousand Islands National Park, Mallorytown Landing |
10am – 4pm |
| Sunday, July 21 | Ice cream festival – Canada Agriculture and Food Museum | 9am – 4pm |
| Wednesday, July 24 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 10am – 4pm |
| Thursday, July 25 | Mooney’s Bay park Canadian Museum of Nature |
10am – 4pm 5pm – 8pm |
| Friday, July 26 | Mooney’s Bay park | 10am – 4pm |
| Saturday, July 27 | Mooney’s Bay park Rideau Canal – Hartwells lockstation |
10am – 4pm |
| Sunday, July 28 | Andrew Haydon park | 10am – 4pm |
| Wednesday, July 31 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 10am – 4pm |
August
| Date | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, August 1 | Mooney’s Bay park Canadian Museum of Nature |
10am – 4pm 5pm – 8pm |
| Friday, August 2 | Mooney’s Bay park | 10am – 4pm |
| Saturday, August 3 | Mooney’s Bay park Andrew Haydon park |
10am – 4pm |
| Sunday, August 4 | Rideau Canal – Hartwells lockstation Andrew-Haydon park |
10am – 4pm |
| Monday, August 5 | Rideau Canal – Ottawa lockstation | 10am – 4pm |
| Wednesday ,August 7 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 10am – 4pm |
| Thurdsday, August 8 | Mooney’s Bay park Canadian Museum of Nature |
10am – 4pm 5pm – 8pm |
| Friday, August 9 | Mooney’s Bay park | 10am – 4pm |
| Saturday, August 10 | Mooney’s Bay park | 10am – 4pm |
| Sunday, August 11 | Andrew Haydon park | 10am – 4pm |
| Wednesday, August 14 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 10am – 4pm |
| Thursday, August 15 | Mooney’s Bay park Canadian Museum of Nature |
10am – 4pm 5pm – 8pm |
| Friday, August 16 | Mooney’s Bay park | 10am – 4pm |
| Wednesday, August 21 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 10am – 4pm |
| Thursday, August 22 | Mooney’s Bay park Canadian Museum of Nature |
10am – 4pm 5pm – 8pm |
| Saturday, August 24 | Andrew Haydon park Mooney’s Bay park |
10am – 4pm |
Workshops
Free workshops to help kids from 7 to 12 years old to acquire basic camping skills and learn about outdoor activities. These take place in Ottawa public library branches. Registration is required. The program is offered in English.
- Monday, July 8 at 2:30 p.m.
Carlingwood Branch (281 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa) - Thursday, July 11 at 2:30 p.m.
Greenboro Branch (363 Lorry Greenberg Dr) - Monday, July 22 at 2:30 p.m.
St Laurent Branch (515 Coté St, Ottawa) - Friday, August 2nd at 2:30 p.m.
Cumberland Branch (1599 Tenth Line Rd, Orléans)
You can also book a free Learn-to Camp workshop for a group or organization. Workshops cover a variety of camping skills and engaging outdoor activities. Please contact Dominique Drouin at 819-420-9319, or by email dominique.drouin@canada.ca for more details.
Overnight Learn-to Camp
Think you might want to experience the pleasure of overnight camping but just need a helping hand?
The overnight Learn-to Camp program introduces visitors to camping in a fun and safe way. Parks Canada and MEC have teamed up to teach the art of setting-up camp and to provide you with all the skills you need for a successful night of camping under a starry sky.
- July 20-21, 2019
Learn-to Camp at Rideau Canal National Historic site – Newboro lockstation- Bring the whole family and join us at Newboro lockstation to experience camping, the guided way!
- Fee:
- $44 per person (13 years old and older)
- $22 per youth (6 - 12)
- Children 5 and under are free
- Two meals are included in this event. Camping gear and workshops are provided; participants must bring additional food and sleeping bags.
- August 10-11, 2019
Learn-to Camp at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum- Bring the whole family and join us at the Ottawa Canada Aviation and Space Museum to experience camping, the guided way!
- Fee:
- $44 per person (13 years old and older)
- $22 per youth (6 - 12)
- Children 5 and under are free
- Two meals are included in this event. Camping gear and workshops are provided; participants must bring additional food and sleeping bags.
Registration
Registration will begin on Thursday, May 9, 2019.The registration line is open from 10 AM to 6 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Monday to Friday. Call 1-844-365-2646 to register.
Ready for your own camping adventure? Here are some helpful hints for a memorable camping trip.
For more information about the Learn-to Camp program in the Ottawa-Gatineau Region, please contact our Learn-to Camp Coordinator at dominique.drouin@canada.ca
Learn-to Camp
The functionality and content of the Learn-to Camp app can now be found in the Parks Canada National app. Download it today!
For more information about the Learn-to Camp program in general, please contact Parks Canada’s National Information Service at 1-888-773-8888, or pc.information.pc@canada.ca