What memories will you make?
Peterborough & the Kawarthas is home to many highly skilled individuals, which you can learn more about through the Meet the Makers of Peterborough & the Kawarthas video series. Rather than just watching them create their own products, you can put your hands to work and create your own as well! What an incredible memory you will form and be able to take home with you as a reminder of your incredible journey to Peterborough & the Kawarthas. Whether you’re looking for an experience to create unique food and drink concoctions in the kitchen or create your own products to use such as a paddle for your canoe, there are so many great hands-on opportunities!
Canadian Canoe Museum
The Canadian Canoe Museum is a unique and national heritage centre that is worth visiting to learn more about the significance of the canoe throughout Canada’s history. They have fascinating collections available for viewing that’s worth a trip to the museum on its own. However, the Museum has more to offer as they have a variety of hands-on experiences as well, offering workshops throughout the year. Recent workshops offered by the Canadian Canoe Museum have included: Make a Canoe Paddle, Make a Pair of Moccasins (they have offered workshops on both summer moccasins and winter moccasins), Upscale Camp Cooking and many others. To find an incredible workshop to build your own memory please visit the Canadian Canoe Museum to learn about their workshop offerings at canoemuseum.ca.
A different type of hands-on experience that the Canadian Canoe Museum offers is the Voyageur Canoe Tours at the Peterborough Lift Lock. This one-of-a-kind tour involves paddling a 36’ foot Montreal canoe, just like the voyageurs! Previous paddling experience is not required. Additional information for the Voyageur Canoe Tour can be found also be found at canoemuseum.ca
Lang Pioneer Village
If paddling isn’t for you, but you still want to take a trip back in time and experience other types of historical workshops, Lang Pioneer Village offers Traditional Music Workshops and Textile Master Classes. The Traditional Music Workshops in the past have included: Folk Songs of Peterborough County, Five-String Banjo for Beginners and Intermediate Players, and An Introduction to Improvisation for Acoustic Guitar and Banjo. The Textile Master Classes consists of a five-day beginner quilting workshop with acclaimed quilter Alice Olsen Williams/ Minaachimo-Kwe. Please visit langpioneervillage.ca for workshop dates and any additional information.
Art Gallery of Peterborough
Peterborough’s local art gallery offers adult workshops with instructors that help bring out the creativity in participants. Class sizes are always restricted to small groups to allow more individual attention. Past workshops have included Exploring Creativity, Encaustic: The Ancient Art of Painting with Beeswax and Exhibition Tours. Participants must be 16 years of age and older. To find a workshop that inspires your inner artist, visit agp.on.ca.
Kawartha Potters Guild Workshops
Feeling artistic? Interested in pottery and throwing clay? The Kawarthas Potters Guild offers various workshops throughout the year. Click here to learn more about upcoming classes and workshops.
Curve Lake Cultural Centre
Want to learn more about the Ojibwa culture while engaging in a hands-on experience? The Curve Lake Cultural Centre offers workshops in which you learn the process of Ojibwa craft-making and traditional cultural practices. Learn to understand nature as well as learn the skills to create your own essentials with any of these workshops: food preservation, moss bag making, beading and weaving. Check out their events calendar for upcoming workshops at curvelakefirstnation.ca
Children’s Summer Programs & Workshops
Hutchison House Museum
If you’re looking for hands-on activities for children throughout the summer, a great place to consider is the historic Hutchison House Museum. Visit hutchisonhouse.ca for more information and their events calendar.
Peterborough Museum and Archives
Peterborough Museum and Archives is a great place for children to learn through hands-on experiences throughout the year, with different workshops for ages 4 to 6 and ages 7 to 11, including a Youth Leadership program for ages 14+. Visit peterboroughmuseumandarchives.ca for information regarding summer discovery camps!
Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters (OFAH)
The Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters Children’s Programs is a great way to immerse children in nature and natural education. Students learn a variety of survival skills as well as outdoor sports skills. O.F.A.H. organizes a variety of children programs throughout all school breaks such as summer, March break and P.A. Days. For dates and more information, visit their website at hfhc.ca
Whetung Ojibwa Centre
The Whetung Ojibwa Centre offers workshops that are age-appropriate for schools and camps. Have your children learn about the Ojibwa culture, traditions and practices through hands-on workshops. Participants can enjoy workshops such as Make your own Dreamcatcher, Make your own Necklace and Paint your own Totem Stone. Find out more about their educational programs at whetung.com.
Art School of Peterborough
The Art School of Peterborough offers a variety of adult and youth workshops and courses such as painting or pottery date nights, glass art, painting, pottery, drawing, jewellery and photography.