Learning need not end when school is out
Let the GRCA’s Ontario-certified teachers take your child’s school break to the next level of learning! Get your child outdoors to learn to care for the outdoors.
Every year, the GRCA’s Ganaraska Millennium Conservation Area is converted into a safe and exciting day camp for Summer and March Break (ages 7–14*). Children in these age groups are invited to participate in a variety of engaging lessons, games, crafts, and challenges that encourage fun and memorable learning about the environment.
Our camp has several field spaces for large group games, native species gardens to investigate, a forested trail to explore, a pavilion for shady open air lunches, and a cooled indoor retreat from the heat and inclement weather. This is all conveniently located just a few meters north of the 401 in Port Hope.
*For March Break camp, previous Nature Nuts L.I.T. Campers, between ages 11–14, may also register
March Break Nature Nuts Day Camp Details
Looking for fun and adventure this March Break? Come spend the week at GRCA’s Nature Nuts
The GRCA’s Nature Nuts March Break Camp is designed, planned and delivered by our Ontario-certified, Outdoor Education teaching staff.
Campers ages 7 to 11* are invited to participate in a variety of hands-on activities, active games, group challenges, zany crafts and good-natured fun. Children learn how to survive in the great outdoors; design, construct and test structures, create messy science experiments and so much more.
Summer Nature Nuts Day Camp Details
If your child loves the great outdoors, exploring the wilderness and having fun playing wild and zany games, then this is the camp!
The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA)’s Nature Nuts Summer Camp is ideal for children ages 7-14, who would enjoy marsh exploration, nature hikes, environmental games, and creating amazing crafts.
GRCA Summer Camp Staff
The GRCA prides itself on having highly specialized and expert staff.
All camp instructors are certified teachers with the Ontario College of Teachers with over 25 years of combined experience teaching outdoor education. All staff are trained in First Aid, CPR, AED-use, Conflict Resolution, Group Dynamics and Leadership Development.
ADVENTURE CAMP: New & Exciting Opportunity For 2025!
IMPORTANT: We need a minimum of 25 participants for us to run Adventure Camp. If we do not reach this minimum by May 31st, we will notify all registered participants about the cancellation and provide full refunds.
Embark on the Ultimate Outdoor Adventure!
Ages: 11 to 14 years old
New in 2025! If your child has a passion for adventure and a love for the great outdoors, this camp is tailor-made for them! Our Adventure Camp offers an incredible opportunity to forge lifelong memories, build confidence, and unleash their inner explorer!
This action-packed experience includes:
- An overnight stay at the beautiful Ganaraska Forest Centre - complete with a campfire and stories under the stars
- A caving adventure at Warsaw Caves, where campers will delve into fascinating underground passages
- Treetop Trekking, where campers will climb, zip, and conquer high-flying obstacles
- Pond creature exploration, "diving" (dip nets) beneath a pond's surface to discover intriguing aquatic life
- GPS treasure hunt, where campers will put their navigation skills to the test in a fun team-based adventure
Dates: July 3 to 4 (includes an overnight sleepover at the Ganaraska Forest Centre)
Camp times:
- Regular drop-off: 8:30 - 8:45 AM
- Regular pick-up: 4:00 - 4:15 PM
- Extended care available for an additional fee
- Before care start time: 7:45 AM
- After care end time: 5:00 PM
Locations:
Ganaraska Millennium Conservation Area (Drop-off / Pick-Up)
2216 County Road 28, Port Hope,
in the Millennium Building
Campers will be bused to the Ganaraska Forest Centre and Warsaw Caves.
Cost: $240 + HST
If interested in extended care, it's $15/day for either before or after care OR $30/day for both before and after care.
Please complete the online registration form (Link opens in new window) or contact the GRCA for more information.
Summer Nature Nuts (NN) Camp 2025
Dates & Themes:
- Surviving the Elements (July 14-18)
- Crafty by Nature (July 21-25)
- Are You Game? (July 28 - August 1)
- All Creatures Great and Small (August 11-15)
- Mad Scientist (August 18-22)
- Best of Camp (August 25-29) — Fully Booked
Ages: 7 to 11 (within the calendar year)*
*LIT campers can register and pay for additional camp weeks
Camp Descriptions:
Surviving the Elements - July 14 to 18
Delve into wilderness survival techniques during this action-packed week, exploring the elements of Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. Activities include cloud reading, finding shelter, sensory awareness exercises, fire building and purifying water. This week will ensure that campers know what to do if they get lost, injured, or waylaid and will answer the question...can you survive the elements?
Crafty by Nature - July 21 to 25
Let your imagination and connection to nature flourish during Crafty by Nature week. Designed for budding artists and nature lovers, this week blends creativity and the outdoors. Campers will dive into arts and crafts like bookmarks and mobiles, create a nature journal, enjoy nature "sit spots", explore colours in nature, get goofy with animal-inspired yoga, and share creativity through the magic of story telling. The goal of this week is to inspire your artistic side while deepening your love and appreciation for the outdoors.
Are You Game? - July 28 to August 1
Do you like solving puzzles, following clues and competing in challenges? If so, this week of camp is for you! Campers will spend the week immersed in games, challenges and clue-based scavenger hunts. Each day will be a different theme (based on a variety of Game Shows, Board Games and Reality TV Programs) and the week will end with a full day Amazing Race. The only question that remains...are YOU game?!
All Creatures Great and Small - August 11 to 15
Did you know there are an estimated 2 million species of animals living on the Earth today? This week explores the diversity of the amazing creatures that live in Canada and across the globe. Each day will feature presentations, crafts and games to learn about fish, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. This week is bound to excite all those who marvel at all creatures great and small!
Mad Scientist - August 18 to 22
Ready to put your observation skills to the test? Join us this week as we use our senses and some pretty neat technology to better understand the world around us. Using microscopes and thermal imaging cameras, campers will get a sneak peak at some small and spectacular sights as we search for the ultimate “WOW” factor through our lenses. Watch as we make things move, grow, stick, slosh, ooze, and maybe even change colour! This week is bound to spark curiosity, wonder and excitement as we get a little messy exploring the science in our everyday lives.
Best of Camp - August 25 to 29 — Fully Booked
Can’t decide which week you like most? Had so much fun that you want to do it all over? This week condenses campers’ favourite activities from the preceding weeks into 5-themed days. This is the perfect week for those who want it all and is a fun-filled way to celebrate the final week of summer vacation! Welcome to...BEST of CAMP!
Dates & Themes:
- Surviving the Elements (July 14-18)
- Crafty by Nature (July 21-25)
- Are You Game? (July 28 - August 1)
- All Creatures Great and Small (August 11-15)
- Mad Scientist (August 18-22)
- Best of Camp (August 25-29)
Camp times:
- Regular drop-off: 8:30 - 8:45 AM
- Regular pick-up: 4:00 - 4:15 PM
- Extended care available for an additional fee
- Before care start time: 7:45 AM
- After care end time: 5:00 PM
Camp location:
Ganaraska Millennium Conservation Area
2216 County Road 28, Port Hope,
in the Millennium Building
Cost: $240
If interested in extended care, it's $15/day for either before or after care OR $30/day for both before and after care.
Please complete the online registration form (Link opens in new window) or contact the GRCA for more information.
LEADERS IN TRAINING (LIT): FULLY BOOKED
If you wish to be added to the waiting list, please use the link on the registration form. The waiting list will be used on a first come, first served basis and does not guarantee a spot will become available.
Build Skills, Make Memories, Lead the Way
Ages: 11 to 14 years old
Is your child ready to level up their leadership skills and build their confidence? Leaders In Training (LIT) camp is designed for youths ages 11 to 14 who are ready to learn, grow, and have fun doing it!
Here's what your future leader will experience in LIT:
- Teamwork and leadership development: hands-on learning in group dynamics, communication, and problem-solving
- Camp scenarios and first aid: develop skills for handling different camper scenarios, including basic first aid
- Cooperative games: gain experience running activities for larger groups and consider the elements that go into this successful delivery
The last two days of week 1 of camp include an exciting overnight sleepover at the Ganaraska Forest Centre! Campers will enjoy:
- Engaging programs and games designed to build confidence and foster teamwork
- An Outdoor Escape Maze and Laser Tag adventure through Peterborough's Escape Maze
- Catered meals to fuel the fun
Give your camper the tools to lead, the confidence to shine, and memories to last a lifetime!
The LIT Experience:
- The LIT program is a two week experience
- Week 1: All LIT candidates come together to build up their leadership skills through a series of activities, games, and training sessions
- Week 2: LITs participate in a second week practical experience placement, where they get to put their leadership skills into action by helping with camp that week
Please note:
- A LIT camper may be refused the right to return for a second week if they are deemed unfit to carry out responsibilities due to inappropriate behaviour or an inability to work in a group environment
- Please be aware that the LIT second week of camp in the LIT program is not eligible for school volunteer hours. We consider the second week a practical experience in which the LIT candidate exercises the knowledge, skills, and attitudes gleaned in the first week of training
- Please contact Nature Nuts staff if interested in volunteer opportunities
- Second week placement will be announced in June OR when the LIT camp registration fills (there is a spot on the LIT application to rank second week placement options)
Dates: July 7 to 11 (includes an overnight sleepover at the Ganaraska Forest Centre July 10 to 11), plus a second week practical experience placement
Camp times:
- Regular drop-off: 8:30 - 8:45 AM
- Regular pick-up: 4:00 - 4:15 PM
- Extended care available for an additional fee
- Before care start time: 7:45 AM
- After care end time: 5:00 PM
Camp location:
Ganaraska Millennium Conservation Area
2216 County Road 28, Port Hope,
in the Millennium Building
Cost: $350 + HST
If interested in extended care, it's $15/day for either before or after care OR $30/day for both before and after care.
Please complete the online registration form (Link opens in new window) or contact the GRCA for more information.