Camps | Stms

Summer Camp at the Sharon Temple

The Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum 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 and a minimum of 10.

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

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

Any questions please contact the Temple at 905-478-2389 or info@sharontemple.ca

Nature Detectives

July 8th - 12th, $200 per child.

Calling all inquisitive minds! Does your child enjoy exploring the great outdoors? Join the Nature Detectives this week and explore the 4.5 acres that surround the Sharon Temple and our on-site gardens. Campers will connect and explore nature around us while playing games and creating crafts. So, let’s put on our detective caps, for the natural world must be explored!

Treasure Hunters

July 29th - August 2nd, $200 per child.

It’s time to unroll our maps and crack the code! Does your child love adventure and mysteries? Join us for puzzle-cracking, riddle-solving fun at the Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum. Throughout this week, campers will embark on a journey around the Site, solving various puzzles, following their maps, and exploring scavenger hunts through hands-on activities and games. They will be visited by the improv educational group, Knights in the Classroom!

Animal Explorers

July 15th - 19th, $200 per child

Does your child love animals? Come out to be an Animal Explorer this week! Throughout this week, campers will learn about different animal groups like reptiles, mammals, birds, and more! 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!

Lil Buds

August 6th - 9th, $160 per child.

From bugs to blooms, this four-day camp will explore 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.

**Please note: this week is only four days due to the Civic Holiday on August 5th, 2024.

Fantasy Island

July 22nd - 26th, $200 per child.

Grab your wands, capes, and crowns! Dive into worlds filled with magic, wonder, and superpowers – this week is all about experiencing another world. Throughout this week, campers will have the opportunity to become their favourite characters, making costumes and props to wear and to take home. They will delve into fantasy worlds through quests of their own making, and they’ll have the chance to learn from the improvisational education group, Knights in the Classroom!

Around the World

August 12th - 16th, $200 per child.

Pack your bags, we’re going on a trip! Each day we will explore new countries and continents and discover more about their cultures through crafts, games, activities, and food. Come and travel with us this summer – don’t forget your passport!

Welcome to camp at Sharon Temple!

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 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.

Some highlights from summer camp and other programming in 2023!

Full-Day Camp Schedule: We offer camps for six weeks from July 8th to August 16th for five days a week (Mondays – Fridays) with the exception of August 5th, 2024 (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.