Learn-to Camp in Ottawa-Gatineau
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 activities 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.
June 2022
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| Sat June 4, 2022 | Gatineau Park Visitor Centre Chelsea, Quebec |
| Sat June 4, 2022 | Andrew Hayden Park Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sun June 5, 2022 | Gatineau Park Visitor Centre Chelsea, Quebec |
| Sun June 5, 2022 | Merrickville locks Merrickville, Ontario |
| Sat June 11, 2022 | Paddlefest, Smith Falls, Ontario |
| Sun June 12, 2022 | Andrew Hayden Park Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sun June 12, 2022 | Mooney’s Bay Ottawa, Ontario |
| Thu June 16, 2022 | Canadian Museum of Nature Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sat June 18, 2022 | Leamy Lake beach area Gatineau, Quebec |
| Sat June 18, 2022 | Hartwells locks Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sun June 19, 2022 | Leamy Lake beach area Gatineau, Quebec |
| Sun June 19, 2022 | Merrickville locks Merrickville, Ontario |
| Thu June 23, 2022 | Canadian Museum of Nature Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sat June 25, 2022 | Dragonboat Race Festival, Mooney’s Bay Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sat June 25, 2022 | Leamy Lake beach area Gatineau, Quebec |
| Sun June 26, 2022 | Dragonboat Race Festival, Mooney’s Bay Ottawa, Ontario |
| Wed June 29, 2022 | Canada Science and Technology Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Thu June 30, 2022 | Canadian Museum of Nature Ottawa, Ontario |
July 2022
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| Fri, July 1, 2022 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Fri, July 1, 2022 | Canadian Museum of Nature Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sat, July 2, 2022 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sat, July 2, 2022 | Britania Beach Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sun, July 3, 2022 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sun, July 3, 2022 | Hartwell locks Ottawa, Ontario |
| Wed, July 6, 2022 | Canada Science and Technology Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Thu, July 7, 2022 | Canadian Museum of Nature Ottawa, Ontario |
| Wed, July 13, 2022 | Canada Science and Technology Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Thu, July 14, 2022 | Canadian Museum of Nature Ottawa, Ontario |
| Fri, July 15, 2022 | Petrie Island picnic area (Stuemer Park) Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sat, July 16, 2022 | Gatineau Park Visitor Centre Chelsea, Quebec |
| Sat, July 16, 2022 | Britania Beach Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sun, July 17, 2022 | Gatineau Park Visitor Centre Chelsea, Quebec |
| Sun, July 17, 2022 | Merrickville locks Merrickville, Ontario |
| Wed, July 20, 2022 | Canada Science and Technology Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Thu, July 21, 2022 | Canadian Museum of Nature Ottawa, Ontario |
| Wed, July 27, 2022 | Canada Science and Technology Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Thu, July 28, 2022 | Canadian Museum of Nature Ottawa, Ontario |
| Fri, July 29, 2022 | Hartwell locks Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sat, July 30, 2022 | Gatineau Park Visitor Centre Chelsea, Quebec |
| Sun, July 31, 2022 | Hartwell locks Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sun, July 31, 2022 | Gatineau Park Visitor Centre Chelsea, Quebec |
August 2022
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| Wed, August 3, 2022 | Canada Science and Technology Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Thu, August 4, 2022 | Canadian Museum of Nature Ottawa, Ontario |
| Wed, August 10, 2022 | Canada Science and Technology Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Thu, August 11, 2022 | Canadian Museum of Nature Ottawa, Ontario |
| Fri, August 12, 2022 | Merrickville locks Merrickville, Ontario |
| Fri, August 12, 2022 | Petrie Island picnic area (Stuemer Park) Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sat, August 13, 2022 | Gatineau Park Visitor Centre Chelsea, Quebec |
| Sat, August 13, 2022 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Sun, August 14, 2022 | Gatineau Park Visitor Centre Chelsea, Quebec |
| Sun, August 14, 2022 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Wed, August 17, 2022 | Canada Science and Technology Museum Ottawa, Ontario |
| Thu, August 18, 2022 | Canadian Museum of Nature Ottawa, Ontario |
Workshops
Free workshops to help kids to acquire basic camping skills and learn about outdoor activities. These are presented in collaboration with the Ottawa and the Gatineau public library.
July 2022
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wed July 6, 2022 | 10:30am to 11:30am | Belmont Park, Aylmer, Quebec |
| Thu July 7, 2022 | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Ottawa Public Library - Manotick |
| Wed July 13, 2022 | 10:30am to 11:30am | Raymond-Madore Park, Gatineau, Quebec |
| Thu July 14, 2022 | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Ottawa Public Library - Cumberland |
| Fri July 15, 2022 | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Ottawa Public Library - Beaverbrook |
| Wed July 20, 2022 | 10:30am to 11:30am | Belmont Park, Aylmer, Quebec |
| Thu July 21, 2022 | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Ottawa Public Library - Blackburn Hamlet |
| Wed July 27, 2022 | 10:30am to 11:30am | Riviera Park, Gatineau, Quebec |
| Thu July 28, 2022 | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Ottawa Public Library - Ruth E. Dickinson |
| Fri July 29, 2022 | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Ottawa Public Library - Nepean Centrepoint |
August 2022
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wed August 3, 2022 | 10:30am to 11:30am | Du Relais Park, Aylmer, Quebec |
| Thu August 4, 2022 | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Ottawa Public Library - St. Laurent |
| Fri August 5, 2022 | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Ottawa Public Library - North Gloucester |
| Wed August 10, 2022 | 10:30am to 11:30am | Édouard-Mercier Park, Gatineau, Quebec |
| Thu August 11, 2022 | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Ottawa Public Library - Greenboro |
| Wed August 17, 2022 | 10:30am to 11:30am | Du Renard Park, Aylmer, Quebec |
| Thu August 18, 2022 | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Ottawa Public Library - Centennial |
| Fri August 5, 2022 | 2:00pm to 3:00pm | Ottawa Public Library - Rockliffe Park |
In-person workshops
Offered in a format that respects regional health and safety guidelines.
You can also book a free Learn-to Camp workshop for a school, group or organization. Workshops cover a variety of camping skills and engaging outdoor activities. Please contact Sacha Penner by email sacha.penner@pc.gc.ca for more details.
Overnight Learn-to Camp
Overnight events are back!
Ready to spend a night under the stars? Join us during one of our overnight experiences, where you will learn everything you need to know to go on your own camping adventure.
Learn-to Camp overnights are family friendly weekend events designed to teach anyone the fundamentals of camping in the great outdoors. You’ll spend Sat afternoon and Sun morning taking part in hands-on workshops such as: how-to pitch a tent, how-to build a campfire, how-to use a campstove and much much more!
Everyone is welcome!
(We provide the tent, foam sleeping pads and campstove.)
At this time, two events are planned for weekends of:
| When | Where |
|---|---|
| July 23 – July 24 | Rideau Canal Lock 14-16 on Long Island in Ottawa, ON |
| August 6 – August 7 | Rideau Canal Lock 14-16 on Long Island in Ottawa, ON |
| August 20 – August 21 | Rideau Canal Lock 36 in Newboro, ON |
Cost: $142.75 (taxes included) per 4-6 person tent
* For large group private event reservations, contact sacha.penner@pc.gc.ca
Set your calendar! Registrations are now open!
Call us at 1-844-365-2646. Spaces are limited!
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 sacha.penner@pc.gc.ca