We offer a variety of programs for youth organizations to supplement your existing programs, from summer camps to PA Day programs. Children will have the opportunity to learn and explore the environmental, economic, and social histories of the Great Lakes in fun, interactive ways.
Modelled after our School Programs, these programs are delivered virtually or in-person as 60-90 minutes in duration and are free of charge! All our programs can be adapted to be age-appropriate for groups between the ages 5-13.
What’s Invading Our Food Chain?
Format: virtual or in-person
In this program campers learn about the unique aquatic ecosystems of the Great Lakes and how factors like invasive species and commercial fisheries have impacted these systems. Campers will get to create their own marine food web as well as investigate invasive species specimens safely.
There and Back Again
Format: virtual or in-person
Campers will learn about the mechanisms and economic importance of travel between and through the Great Lakes. They will explore the components of a pound lock, how it works, its goal, and the forces that act within the system through demonstration and experimentation. Then, campers will become the lock! Sandboxes are versatile teaching tools and allow campers to build their own canal and lock systems. The environmental impacts of these mechanisms will also be discussed and explored.
Once Upon a Stormy Night
Format: virtual or in-person
This is a chance for campers to explore some of the thousands of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. Campers will learn about the different shipwrecks around Kingston as well as storms as the main cause of wrecking. Campers will have fun with storms by becoming the weather through Storm Tag or need to complete tasks to fix their wrecked ship through Band-Aid Tag. Campers will get to take home a memento by making a craft out their own shipwreck.
Guardians of the Great Lakes
Format: virtual/in-person
Campers will dive into the world of environmental science in this program! Through lessons and discussions, campers will learn the origins of our drinking water and the impacts of pollution in the Great Lakes. Campers will even get to build and test their own water filtration system.
Whatever Floats Your Boat!
Format: virtual/in-person
Campers will explore the concepts of buoyancy and the forces that act on watercraft. They will also learn about the technological design of ships and how structures are built to withstand external forces. Campers will put their new knowledge to the test will the chance to build and test their own craft boats in our Build-A-Boat challenge!
All Aboard the Great Lakes Cruise!
Format: virtual/in-person
Campers set off to explore the lock systems and canals of the Great Lakes by focusing on the SS Cayuga, a passenger steamship that ran from Toronto to Niagara in the 20th century. Campers will investigate and analyze the design of steamships, and explore life in this region during this time. To consolidate their learning, campers will get to plan their own trip aboard the SS Cayuga including designing their route and budgeting for their expenses.
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
Format: virtual/in-person
Two Row Wampum
Format: virtual/in-person
In this program campers learn about Indigenous-settler relations and treaties, specifically the Two Row Wampum. Lessons are taught through pre-recorded video, at-home activities, then in-person or live-virtual activities! Campers will get to complete paper and hands-on crafts, learning the value of history and craftmanship.
‘Marine Museum was an awesome resource for our campers. They offered an engaging workshop on the Great Lakes and adapted their programming to fit the various ages of our campers. The educational component was met with an equally fun activity! Our campers were clearly engaged as they kept sharing facts about the Great Lakes after the program had ended!’
~ASUS Camps Programming Director.