Our summer programs are offered at three age ranges: Junior (9-12), Intermediate (12-15) and Advanced (15-18); in two subject streams: marine biology and wildlife conservation. Participants may attend only one program per summer and may complete the programs in any order unless otherwise noted.
All programs are:
- Based in Nova Scotia
- Pay-what-you-can
- Nomination-based, participants must be nominated by an adult who knows them well
- Taught by women in science with advanced degrees
- Open to girls+ (girls and under-represented genders) ages 9-18 who live in the Maritime provinces (NB, NS, PEI) and who also meet our nomination criteria
- Small, with only 10-12 participants
- Welcoming, inclusive environments
- Primarily outdoors
- Overnight, either camping or staying in cabins
- Designed for all skill levels – no prior knowledge is required
All programs feature:
- Hands-on learning in a fun & casual environment
- Mentorship from women in STEM
- Exciting and memorable activities that inspire love for STEM & nature
- Learning about careers in the program’s field
Junior (ages 9 – 12)
🐢 Junior Wildlife Conservation: Kejimkujik National Park & Historic Site*
June 18-19 | 2 days, overnight | Kejimkujik National Park & Historic Site
*This program has been updated since 2021 and is different enough that it can be taken again
🦞 Junior Marine Biology Level I
July 5-6 | 2 days, overnight | Windsor/Smiley’s Provincial Park
🐟 Junior Marine Biology Level II
July 8-9 | 2 days, overnight | Wolfville/Smiley’s Provincial Park
*It’s best for Level I to be taken before Level II, but not essential
Intermediate (ages 12 – 15)
🐋 Intermediate Marine Biology
July 16-18 | 3 days, overnight | Lunenburg/The Morton Centre
🐣 Intermediate Wildlife Conservation Level I: Bon Portage Island
July 27-30 | 4 days, overnight | Bon Portage Island (near Barrington)
🐤 Intermediate Wildlife Conservation Level II: Bon Portage Island
August 4-8 | 5 days, overnight | Bon Portage Island (near Barrington)
*It’s best for Level I to be taken before Level II, but not essential
🐢 Intermediate Wildlife Conservation: Kejimkujik National Park & Historic Site*
September 17-18 | 2 days, overnight | Kejimkujik National Park & Historic Site
*For BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) girls+, this program will be offered in partnership with Diversity of Nature, a BIPOC-led and BIPOC-focused science outreach organization, and is funded through a WISE Atlantic Partnerships Program Grant
Advanced (ages 15 – 18)
🌱 STEMinists Leadership Development
July 2-3 | 2 days, overnight | Wolfville/Smiley’s Provincial Park
🐦 Advanced Wildlife Conservation: Kejimkujik National Park & Historic Site
July 11-13 | 3 days, overnight | Kejimkujik National Park & Historic Site
🦈 Advanced Marine Biology: Technology & Marine Conservation
July 21-23 | 3 days, overnight | Halifax and Wolfville/Smiley’s Provincial Park
Nomination Criteria
Nominees must meet at least one of the following criteria to be considered:
- Comes from a disadvantaged background (“low income”)
- Comes from an under-represented background (African-Canadian/Indigenous/Hispanic or Latinx)
- Is a first generation immigrant (immigrated to Canada)
- Has led an environmental initiative at school or in their community
- Has led a science initiative at school or in their community
- Is passionate about science, animals, or the environment
To advance our mission, 50% of seats in all programs are reserved for participants who come from a disadvantage and/or under-represented background. Remaining seats are filled with participants who meet other criteria.
COVID-19 Adaptations
Terranaut Club summer programs will follow the Nova Scotia Return to Day Camp Guidelines, which will likely be updated soon. More information will be provided as soon as it’s available.
