Science & Success Camps

When is the last time you looked at a paper map, or bus/train schedules or a telephone book? Almost everything we do is controlled by exciting technology and this camp explores the many ways that computers and coding impact the world around us!

Join us for a week of engaging content designed to introduce basic coding skills so that campers are up to date with technology and have an understanding of computer programming. Campers receive hands-on training to learn the fundamentals of python programming language through engaging and interactive lessons. Our expert instructors will teach campers how to use python, learning the primary constructs of programming (sequence, selection, and repetition) by recreating common programs like quizzes, counters, and choose your own adventure games. These programs will help beginners lay an excellent foundation for programming, and provide those who have some experience, with specific instruction and detailed computer projects to build. No programming experience is necessary, but familiarity with doing common tasks using Windows is expected. Topics will include variables, math operators, if else statements, loops, random numbers, decision–making, repetition and timers. Time during the week is also devoted to outdoor activities and there is recreational swim time and hot nutritional lunches included in the schedule so that your camper has a well-rounded day. At the end of the week, campers will put all their new skills together to create their own unique program and take home the skills needed to create more on their own!

When is the last time you looked at a paper map, or bus/train schedules or a telephone book? Almost everything we do is controlled by exciting technology and this camp explores the many ways that computers and coding impact the world around us!

Join us for a week of engaging content designed to introduce basic coding skills so that campers are up to date with technology and have an understanding of computer programming. Campers receive hands-on training to learn the fundamentals using python programming language through engaging and interactive lessons. Our expert instructors will teach campers how to use python, learning the primary constructs of programming (sequence, selection, and repetition) by recreating common programs like quizzes, counters, and choose your own adventure games. These programs will help beginners lay an excellent foundation for programming, and provide those who have some experience, with specific instruction and detailed computer projects to build. No programming experience is necessary, but familiarity with doing common tasks using Windows is expected. Topics will include variables, math operators, if else statements, loops, random numbers, decision–making, repetition and timers. Time during the week is also devoted to outdoor activities and there is recreational swim time and hot nutritional lunches included in the schedule so that your camper has a well-rounded day. At the end of the week, campers will put all their new skills together to create their own unique program and take home the skills needed to create more on their own!

Considering the field of medicine and possibly a doctor? This camp offers a glimpse into understanding the advantages, challenges and excitement of being a doctor. By exploring human anatomy and physiology through a variety of games, building designs and activities, campers will have fun while learning science! Campers will explore various topics associated with health and nutrition including disease transmission and prevention, human body systems, medical terminology, injury prevention and of course…playing the classic board game of Operation!

Instructed by a Red Cross First Aid Instructor, campers will learn emergency first aid and apply first aid treatment in various injury simulations. Participants learn how to provide first aid and CPR to younger children in a variety of age groups and how to prevent and respond to emergencies. The Doctors in Training Camp is a rather unique way of motivating children to take medicine and for campers get a preview into the life of a doctor. The week also includes recreational pool time, a nutritious lunch daily and participants will also enjoy a wide variety of activities outside of the classroom.

Ever wondered how a bridge can hold 20 transport trucks, why fluorescent lights last longer or when a volcano is going to erupt?  Exploring STEM camp will shed light on these questions and many more!  STEM is the integration of 4 disciplines – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – which are intertwined into many aspects of our daily lives!  Campers in Appleby’s new Exploring STEM camp will be engaged in exciting hands-on activities that explore real world applications and problems through an interdisciplinary approach, all led by our expert camp staff and science teachers. From circuit boards to launching rockets to solar ovens, STEM camp will explore weird, wonderful and unbelievable scientific concepts through lessons relating to all four disciplines. 

The program also features balanced days with recreational activities outdoors, cooperative games, recreational swim time and includes a nutritious lunch, with hot selections. Camper projects from the week will be showcased in a demonstration at the end of the camp and interested parents/guardians and friends are welcome to share in this excitement each Friday.

*Please note that the intention of this course is fun and learning and that it is not intended to accelerate students or advance them in their school program.

Ever wondered how a bridge can hold 20 transport trucks, why fluorescent lights last longer or when a volcano is going to erupt?  Exploring STEM camp will shed light on these questions and many more!  STEM is the integration of 4 disciplines – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – which are intertwined into many aspects of our daily lives!  Campers in Appleby’s new Exploring STEM camp will be engaged in exciting hands-on activities that explore real world applications and problems through an interdisciplinary approach, all led by our expert camp staff and science teachers. From circuit boards to launching rockets to solar ovens, STEM camp will explore weird, wonderful and unbelievable scientific concepts through lessons relating to all four disciplines. 

The program also features balanced days with recreational activities outdoors, cooperative games, recreational swim time and includes a nutritious lunch, with hot selections. Camper projects from the week will be showcased in a demonstration at the end of the camp and interested parents/guardians and friends are welcome to share in this excitement each Friday.

*Please note that the intention of this course is fun and learning and that it is not intended to accelerate students or advance them in their school program.

Appleby Campus is the site of a new criminal case and we need Forensic Scientists to help us figure out what happened! If you are constantly analyzing small details, looking for clues, finding similarities between the oddest objects, and have an enquiring mind Appleby needs your help!

Assist us in solving different cases by finger printing, examining splash patterns and distribution of particles, analyzing handwriting, signatures, ink and paper, recovering data from electronics and much more. The week also includes recreational pool time, a nutritious lunch daily and participants will also enjoy a wide variety of activities inside the classroom and out.

Calling all math enthusiasts! Do you love designing and building models, playing games, and solving puzzles? Campers will have different exciting challenges daily and each challenge will have an undercurrent of math. From building and testing rockets to learning trajectories, creating art pieces using probability, building 3D models, origami paper folding, cryptography, math mysteries that need to be solved, to models that need to be constructed, to mathe-magics challenges, and an amazing math trail around campus with clues to find the next problem! Campers will learn about real-life uses for math (cryptography), see the amazing things math can do (I know what number you're thinking), build models (a personal-sized Bucky Ball or Sierpinski's Triangle) and in general explore a variety of mathematical concepts and have fun! This is not like math class- there are no math problems, no tests, no exams, just fun competitions, building, games, and puzzles!

Energetic certified teachers will teach mathematical concepts through group and hands-on fun activities to maximize fun and learning. Campers will use computers, calculators (please bring) and each other to assist in analyzing and presenting data, and will learn about math through fun games and videos, with an emphasis on problem solving and teamwork. This camp is designed for campers who enjoy building, experimenting, working with mathematics and like a challenge! Each session will also include recreational pool time and a nutritious lunch daily!

This camp aims to enhance camper’s mathematical understanding and develop their critical thinking through group problem solving activities and engagement in physical activities based on mathematical concepts. Additionally, instructors and staff will introduce campers to math-related careers.

*Please note that this is not a mathematics course for students to accelerate or get ahead in their school program.

Do you want your camper to be more confident navigating all that life is throwing at them? Does your camper having trouble in social situations? Do you want them to learn in-the-moment coping strategies? Power Up (Confidence after Covid) will engage campers in fun activities designed to help them strengthen life skills.

As we move beyond covid, many children (and adults!) continue to experience lingering struggles due to the many negative impacts brought on by the pandemic. You may have noticed some challenges or changes in behaviour with your camper … it’s fair to say that the transition back to “normal” has been tougher on some than on others. If you are looking to help build resilience and foster a respectful attitude in your camper, now is the time to Power Up! 

Through role-playing, games, group conversations, activities and reflections, Power Up will give campers more tools in their personal and social well-being toolboxes. In Power Up we will discuss and learn to apply a variety of coping strategies to help improve campers’ wellbeing.  Our experienced instructors will work with campers to help understand their own behaviours, to teach individual accountability, and share strategies to increase personal confidence and positive attitude.  Exploring character strengths, setting personal boundaries, navigating group dynamics, and learning how to have difficult conversations are a few skills campers will practice making them stronger! 

The week also includes recreational pool time, a nutritious lunch daily and participants will also enjoy a wide variety of activities inside the classroom and out.

This program will help your young engineer develop their interest, skills and knowledge in the fascinating world of robots! Campers aged 7-10 will learn the basics about building robots and will be introduced to motors, gears and sensors using easy to program mini computers to plan, test and modify sequences of instructions from a variety of real life robotic behaviours.

This is a great way to introduce your camper to the world of Robotics with campers in their own age group as they will learn how to plan, build and maneuver their robots with various assembly blocks that contain special circuits such as CPUs, contact sensors, and IR sensor blocks. Programming of the robots is done with a card-reader system and it is specially developed to foster campers' creativity and activate their brain by assembling robots. After building their robot in their own small teams they will eventually lead up to more difficult challenges like line races, maze escape and even drag racing. No experience is required as our qualified Appleby teachers and camp instructors will teach the concepts, including building computer skills and programming fundamentals in a fun and interactive setting. Many integral mechanical engineering concepts are acquired in this Robotics camp, and important teamwork skills are developed.

The program also features balanced days with recreational activities outdoors, cooperative games, recreational swim time and also includes a nutritious lunch, with hot selections. Robots built by campers will enter an electrifying competition and demonstration at the end of the camp and interested parents/guardians and friends are welcome to share in the excitement each Friday.

This co-ed program introduces campers to the fascinating world of robots! Campers learn how to build robots with motors, gears and sensors, using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® software to plan, test and modify sequences of instructions from a variety of real life robotic behaviours.

After learning the basics of maneuvering LEGO robots with sensors and motors, through a series of activities campers will learn how to build and program their LEGO robots to meet progressively more difficult challenges like sumo-bots, line races, drag racing and maze escape. Robotics is an exciting way to bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics to camp! Campers are provided with a laptop computer and MINDSTORMS® software that they use to bring their robotic creations to life. No experience is required as our qualified Appleby teachers and camp instructors will teach the concepts, including mastering computer skills and programming fundamentals in a fun and interactive setting. Many integral mechanical engineering concepts are acquired in this Robotics camp, and important teamwork skills are developed.

The program also features balanced days with recreational activities outdoors, cooperative games, recreational swim time and also includes a nutritious lunch, with hot selections. LEGO Robots built by campers will enter an electrifying competition and demonstration at the end of the camp and interested parents/guardians and friends are welcome to share in the excitement each Friday.

Disclaimer: LEGO® and Mindstorms are registered trademarks of The LEGO® Group of Companies, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse Appleby's programs.

Did you know the Universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old? Did you know the Earth formed at the same time as the Solar System? If you are wondering what is beyond the Earth and are always looking up at the starry sky, then join us for a week of exciting space exploring!

Put on your Space Suit and prepare to learn about gravity, the distance in space, the planets and more. Every night after camp you will be excited to teach your family about the different constellations, how to create your own crater and even show them how to make Astro Ice Cream! The week also includes recreational pool time, a nutritious lunch daily and participants will also enjoy a wide variety of activities inside the classroom and out.

The VEX Robotics system gives campers the opportunity to build robots the way most people picture robots: built big, with tools and out of metal! Led by experienced instructors who stress safety in the lab, campers are given a kit of metal, controller, an Allen key and a task. The campers are then challenged to creatively solve the problem. The tasks are designed to teach principles in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with campers building through progressively more difficult challenges. Campers start by creating a stable and functional frame for their robot then incorporate more gears and motors, joystick control, and sensors. Beyond science and engineering principles VEX projects encourage teamwork, leadership and problem solving among groups. These VEX robots can be up to 18 inches cubed in size and campers love using metal and tools to build their creations.

Appleby’s state-of-the art classrooms and 60-acre campus provide an amazing backdrop for fun-filled days in VEX Robotics. Recreation is an important part of the program and each day campers get "unplugged" through outdoor games and swimming. Lunch is also included.

Don’t just play games, create them! Video Game Design will introduce campers ages 7 – 10 to the wonderful world of game design. Campers will spend their time creating and building original computer games using Game Maker. They will learn the skills they need to create their own unique games by recreating some classic platform, side scroller and shooter games. With those skills they will get a chance to invent their own digital worlds, wacky characters, cool game play and fun adventures and quests. Campers will learn to customize virtual worlds, program custom gameplay and interactions and even customize the game character models for their own one-of-a-kind game.

Led by Appleby’s qualified instructors and teachers passionate about video game design; this camp is a balance of video game design, along with a great combination of creative projects, physical activity and social interaction that will develop skills and build character. Time during the week is also devoted to outdoor activities and there is recreational swim time included in the schedule so that your camper is fresh for new challenges. Campers receive hands-on training and no experience is required to attend this engaging camp. However, some basic video game and computer knowledge is an asset.

Video games are not only fun to play, but they comprise a $20 billion industry. This camp will provide campers with the basics of game design and development to create their own game! Video Game Design Camp blends the latest in technology with fun non-tech activities that create a well-rounded summer camp experience for campers ages 10 -15. Every day is designed to maximize campers’ engagement in a wide variety of creative and challenging activities.

Qualified instructors and teachers engage campers in the game design process with a hands-on, project-based approach with the latest software and hardware. From initial planning, storyboarding, and pitching to the development process of prototyping, testing, and balancing...Campers are taught the process, tasks, and roles involved in game development, including programming, art, design, and producing. From conversations on common game styles and designs and the reproduction of some gaming classics, campers will learn while having fun. Campers use their new skills and knowledge to create a unique game for their final project. Appleby’s state-of-the art classrooms and 60-acre campus provide an amazing backdrop for fun-filled days in Video Game Design Camp. Recreation is an important part of the program and each day campers get "unplugged" through outdoor games and swimming. Lunch is also included.

This program builds on the concepts of the Video Game Design program, and is directed towards higher-level challenges for advanced, more experienced campers. Previous experience in Appleby’s summer Video Game Design Camp or comparable experiences are recommended.

Video Game Design Advanced campers will take their game making skills to a whole new level. With access to individual computers, your child will be able to design and implement and build on previous knowledge to create an even more complex masterpiece.

A nutritious lunch with hot selections is included as well as supervised activities and recreational swimming periods help form an action-packed day. Video Games designed by campers will be on display and playable at the end of the camp and interested parents/guardians and friends are welcome to share in the excitement at the end of the week on Friday!

Gear up for an exciting week of discovering slime, volcanoes, wetland wonders, energy in action, bubbles, electricity, growing crystals, insects, fossils, sensory fun, pop-bottle rockets, chemistry, space …all with hands-on fun experiments! This Wacky Scientist Camp makes for an unbelievably fun experience for kids aged 7-10. Each new day brings a new set of activities engaging kids in science with a twist. Imagine exploring weird, wonderful and unbelievable scientific concepts through lessons that help engage campers in observation, measurement, and identification of properties.

Qualified teachers and instructors are eager to provide fun and engaging science workshops for campers who want to be "wacky" scientists! Appleby instructors take science and create entertaining projects, sparking children's interest in science, encouraging their curiosity and building their confidence and skills. Every day campers will enjoy exploration of the wonders of science and nature in Appleby’s state-of-the-art science labs, forests and creek! Each session includes recreational pool time and a nutritious lunch. With some jaw dropping demonstrations, Wacky Scientist’s playful approach to science will be sure to grip campers' imaginations as they learn while discovering! On the Friday of each camp, we have an open house in the afternoon where campers can show their projects to families and friends.

This summer, become immersed in the culture of science and fun. Wacky Scientist Camp offers campers ages 10 – 15 a week of science experiments, and hands-on projects that will ignite imagination. Campers will be challenged to learn and apply the principles of science to solve design challenges and answer puzzling questions. How can you make the best bottle rocket? Can you build a bridge that can hold 1kg with just 5 pieces of paper and some masking tape? What is the science behind making ice cream? This highly interactive program takes the wild and wacky experiments familiar from Wacky Science Jr. and adds more scientific theory and the full design process from inspiration, through experimentation, observation and final product.

This camp is perfect for a budding scientist to perform interactive chemistry experiments, group challenges, building projects, and interactive games led by qualified Appleby Camp instructors and science teachers who are eager to provide fun and engaging workshops! A state-of-the-art laboratory environment, outdoor classrooms, fully equipped indoor teaching spaces with full video streaming capabilities and leading presentation technology, brings out participant's creativity.

Each session includes recreational pool time and a nutritious lunch. With some jaw dropping demonstrations, Wacky Scientist’s playful approach to science will be sure to grip camper’s imaginations as they learn while discovering! On the Friday of each camp, we have an open house in the afternoon where campers can show their projects to families and friends.

Channel your inner Marco Polo and join us on an adventure around the world! We will be making stops at places such as Egypt, China, Africa, Europe, and possibly stand on top of Everest! Campers will explore and experience the language, culture, food, demographics, and much more on different parts of the map. Learn how to read maps, look at an Atlas and create a world of their own.

Get your passport ready, we would love to have you come with us on our trip around the world!