Learn-to Camp in Ottawa-Gatineau
Ready to dive into the exciting world of camping but feeling a bit unsure? Don't worry, because the Learn-to Camp team is here to add a touch of fun to your learning journey!
In partnership with MEC, the Parks Canada Learn-to Camp program is designed to give you the knowledge and skills you need to feel confident about planning and enjoying your first outdoor adventure. We're really excited to have you join us to discover more about camping, national parks, historic sites, and the great outdoors!
We offer three different ways to get started with camping or improve your outdoor skills:
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, museums and at various other locations in the National Capital Region.
June 2024
| Date | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, June 16 | Rideau Canal - Long Island Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Sunday, June 16 | Rideau Canal - Hartwells Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Friday, June 21 | Strathcona Park | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Saturday, June 22 | Britannia Park | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Sunday, June 23 | Rideau Canal - Ottawa Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Monday, June 24 | Rideau Canal - Ottawa Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Monday, June 24 | Leamy Lake Park | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Friday, June 28 | Strathcona Park | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Saturday, June 29 | Rideau Canal - Ottawa Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Saturday, June 29 | Rideau Canal - Merrickville Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Sunday, June 30 | Rideau Canal - Long Island Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Sunday, June 30 | Rideau Canal - Hartwells Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
July 2024
| Date | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, July 1 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Monday, July 1 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Thursday, July 4 | Rideau Canal - Ottawa Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Thursday, July 4 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 5 pm to 8 pm |
| Friday, July 5 | Mooney’s Bay Park | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Saturday, July 6 | Gatineau Park Visitor Center - Chelsea | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Saturday, July 6 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Sunday, July 7 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Wednesday, July 10 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 11 am to 5 pm |
| Thursday, July 11 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 5 pm to 8 pm |
| Friday, July 12 | Strathcona Park | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Wednesday, July 17 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 11 am to 5 pm |
| Thursday, July 18 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 5 pm to 8 pm |
| Saturday, July 20 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Saturday, July 20 | Rideau Canal - Hartwells Lockstation | 9 am to 4 pm |
| Sunday, July 21 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Wednesday, July 24 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum | 4 pm to 8 pm |
| Wednesday, July 24 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 11 am to 5 pm |
| Thursday, July 25 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 5 pm to 8 pm |
| Saturday, July 27 | Leamy Lake Park | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Saturday, July 27 | Britannia Beach Park | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Sunday, July 28 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Sunday, July 28 | Gatineau Park Visitor Center - Chelsea | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Wednesday, July 31 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 11 am to 5 pm |
August 2024
| Date | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, August 1 | Rideau Canal - Ottawa Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Thursday, August 1 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 5 pm to 8 pm |
| Friday, August 2 | Mooney’s Bay Park | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Friday, August 2 | Leamy Lake Park | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Saturday, August 3 | Rideau Canal - Ottawa Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Saturday, August 3 | Rideau Canal - Long Island Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Sunday, August 4 | Rideau Canal - Hartwells Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Sunday, August 4 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Wednesday, August 7 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 11 am to 5 pm |
| Thursday, August 8 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 5 pm to 8 pm |
| Friday, August 9 | Gatineau Park Visitor Center - Chelsea | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Wednesday, August 14 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 11 am to 5 pm |
| Thursday, August 15 | Canadian Museum of Nature | 5 pm to 8 pm |
| Friday, August 16 | Strathcona Park | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Saturday, August 17 | Rideau Canal - Long Island Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Sunday, August 18 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Sunday, August 18 | Rideau Canal - Hartwells Lockstation | 10 am to 4 pm |
| Wednesday, August 21 | Canada Science and Technology Museum | 11 am to 5 pm |
| Wednesday, August 21 | Canada Agriculture and Food Museum | 4 pm to 8 pm |
Workshops
Free workshops on a variety of topics intended to teach Canadians the fundamentals of camping, hiking, nature observation and other outdoor activities.
Free workshops take place in Ottawa public library branches. Registration is required. The program is offered in English.
July 2024
| Date | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 11 | Stittsville Branch (1637 Stittsville Main, K2S 1A9) | 2:30 pm |
| Wednesday, July 17 | Vanier Branch (310 Pères Blancs, K1L 7L5) | 2:30 pm |
| Thursday, July 18 | Chelsea Library (100 Chem. Old Chelsea, J9B 1C1) | 2:30 pm |
| Friday, July 19 | Main Branch (120 Metcalfe, K1P 5M2) | 2:30 pm |
| Friday, July 31 | Carlingwood Branch (281 Woodroffe, K2A 3W4) | 2:30 pm |
August 2024
| Date | Location | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, August 7 | North Gloucester (2036 Ogilvie, K1J 7N8) | 2:30 pm |
| Thursday, August 8 | Hazeldean Branch (50 Castlefrank, K2L 2N5) | 2:30 pm |
| Friday, August 14 | Manotick Branch (5499 South River, K4M 1J3) | 2:30 pm |
You can book a free Learn-to Camp workshop for a school, group or organization. Please contact Danielle Hebert by email danielle.hebert2@pc.gc.ca for more details.
Overnight Learn-to Camp
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 Saturday afternoon and Sunday 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.)
For more details please contact us by email
Email: danielle.hebert2@pc.gc.ca
Photo gallery
Ready for your own camping adventure?
- Check out our Camping 101 page and helpful tips and tricks
- Decide which type of campsite is best for you
- Learn how to reserve a campsite
- Make a reservation now!
Partner
Mountain Equipment Company is our national partner and is participating at Parks Canada places from coast to coast!
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