We Connect Kids To Nature
We get kids "unhooked" from smart devices, and hooked on wildlife!
Kids interact directly with amazing animals and wildlife; feed our turtles-in-care, and provide turtles who are unable to walk with physiotherapy too!
Children will learn to identify and understand wildlife.
In Turtle Camp, they learn all species of turtles, understand turtle behaviours and how to help.
They love to learn and take pride in their accomplishments. Kids take a turtle test at the end of camp to earn their Level 1 ID card. We asked kids about their favourite camp features and may say that the Turtle-test!
Exploring Nature in a safe environment
At Camp kids will have supervised time in nature; on a 25 acre wildlife property. They will get to explore streams and forests and the wildlife that live within these habitats. Kids will support our Monarch program by searching for larvae and other pollinators. They will explore small rivers and fish populations and the ecology of these systems.
Creativity and Play
Kids will have fun while learning; playing turtle-survival, and turtle-tag as well as other games. Kids will also explore their creative imagination as they create crafts, from easy to very messy; tie-dying, string art and more.
Making Friends and Memories
Camp is about sharing and caring. Kids learn to support one another through group activities, from friendly competitions, to team building games, kids have fun connecting to nature and each other.
What Parents Told Us
My child attended Turtle camp this summer and it was by far one of his favourite experiences. He was so excited to share all of the new turtle facts that he learned each day when I picked him up and couldn’t wait to return each morning. He is so excited to participate again next summer.
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This was a wonderful experience for my child. I was hesitant to sign up due to the very long drive from our home but after picking him up the first day and seeing him so animated describing what he had done made it worth every second of the drive. Thank you!
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I work in camping and I can say that the Turtle Guardian camp is staffed with passionate, caring, well organized, and knowledgeable staff. The immersive experience in a topic is a quality goal for outdoor education and nature education. The group of staff was able to integrate my high needs/medically complex kiddo into the program and group without blinking an eye. I heard a couple of parents in the parking lot express that of all the programs and camps their children attended this summer this was their kids' favourite. High Quality programming with lots of care and attention. -Jane Isbister
Our twins went into the camp unsure and a little negative but came home everyday excited teaching us so much about turtles, snakes, leeches, fish and the environment. They were especially impressed by how a few accommodations (ie. skateboard, summer conditions) could save the life of an injured turtle Jeremiah! -Melissa Caufield
My son loved turtle camp. He came home every day and talked non-stop about everything he learned. It's now been a couple of weeks since he attended and any time someone comes over, he pulls out his official turtle guardian card and tells them all about it. He will definitely be attending level 2 next summer.-Karen Alexander
Tiny Totts Testimonials Too!
Thank you all for a wonderful morning! Levon and Callum loved learning and the hands on experience with the turtles and snake! They have not let their stuffed toy snakes out of sight the rest of the day and are sleeping with them tonight. A symbol of a great experience with you today. Crafts were wonderful and plentiful! Thank you for all you do!!
Patty Wanless aka Grammy!!
Stay tuned for 2026 Dates
Camps are located at the HHOA Hatchery at 6712 Gelert Road in Haliburton. Camps are from 9am to 3:15pm
* You may also choose to have your child stay on certain days from 3:15 to 4:15 by selecting "Crafty Afternoons". Each afternoon is an additional $40.00
Do you need assistance to send your child to camp? There may be options for those on limited incomes. Email Leora at info@turtleguardians.ca
Turtle Camp! Level 1 and 2
Level 1 are 3 Day Sessions: $240.00
Add 2 days of Level 2 to these sessions for another $120.00 or join Level 2 camps independently for $150.00
Level 1 and 2 camps are for ages 7 to 12. (must be turning 7 this year)
In Level 1, kids will learn:
- How to identify all of Ontario's turtles
- How to identify a turtle nest and save nests
- How to help turtles cross roads, help turtle nests and handle snapping turtles too!
- What are the major threats to Ontario's turtles
- How to report turtle sightings
- Pass your Turtle Test to get your TG Level 1 Card
In Level 2, kids will learn:
- How to identify nesting behaviours and turtle eggs of each species
- How to identify all of Ontario's wetlands
- How to help nesting turtles
- How to build a nest protector
- How to monitor wetlands
PLEASE NOTE: SPACE IS LIMITED to first come first serve.
Fish & Wildlife Camp
These are 3-Day Sessions: $240.00
Fish and Wildlife camps are for ages 7 to 12. (must be turning 7 this year)
Each day of camp is dedicated to a suite of species. Games, crafts, and nature based activities are included. There are no certifications that result from this camp at this time, but we may introduce "Levels" in the future.
In TLB F&W camp, kids will learn:
- All about birds --- (parts of a bird, birds are dinosaurs, how to identify birds, how to go birding, bird habitats, making bird houses/perches and food bundles)
- All about mammals and fish ---- (cool mammal behaviours and habitats; what is a den and what is a nest; different fish and how they survive; how to help fish)
- All about reptiles and amphibians --- (what is an amphibian and where do you find them; habitat needs; what is a reptile.
- Meet the turtles and snakes and take a tour of the hatchery. Learn how to interact with these animals and how to help them.
PLEASE NOTE: SPACE IS LIMITED to first come first serve.
Kids 6 and under? Tiny Tots Turtle Times
We have moved! This year will have regular drop ins for kids to feed and interact with the turtles at our new centre: 235 Highland St. Lower Suite.
