Summer 2026 overnight programs will open for nominations in early April. The programs listed below are tentative, and will be confirmed in the coming month. Please note that since our Executive Director is on maternity leave, we will be offering fewer overnight programs this season.
Our overnight 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 or New Brunswick
- Pay-what-you-can
- Nomination-based, participants must be nominated by an adult who knows them well
- Taught by women & under-represented genders in science
- 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 10-15 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 & under-represented genders in STEM
- Exciting and memorable activities that inspire a love for STEM & the environment
- Learning about careers in the program’s field
Transportation:
Participants are required to find their own way to and from the program locations, however there are options for those who don’t have transportation available. Carpooling with other participants based nearby is often possible, and staff are sometimes able to assist depending where participants need to be picked up from/dropped off to.
Junior (ages 9-12)
🐢 Junior Wildlife Conservation: Kejimkujik National Park & Historic Site
June 13-14 | 2 days, overnight | Kejimkujik National Park & Historic Site, NS
🦇 Junior Wildlife Conservation: Fundy National Park
Dates TBD | 2 days, overnight | Fundy National Park, NB
🦞 Junior Marine Biology Level I
Dates TBD | 2 days, overnight | Wolfville/Blomidon Provincial Park, NS
🐟 Junior Marine Biology Level II
Dates TBD | 2 days, overnight | Wolfville/Blomidon Provincial Park, NS
Intermediate (ages 12-15)
🐤 Intermediate Wildlife Conservation: Bon Portage Island
Dates TBD | 5 days, overnight | Bon Portage Island (near Barrington), NS
🦭 Intermediate Marine Biology
Dates TBD | 3 days, overnight | Lunenburg/The Morton Centre, NS
Advanced (ages 15-18)
Note that the STEMinists Leadership Development Program will not be offered this year.
🦈 Advanced Marine Biology: Shark Conservation
Dates TBD | 3 days, overnight | Lunenburg, NS
Nomination Criteria
Nominees that meet at least one of the following criteria are prioritized for selection:
- Comes from a disadvantaged background (“low income”)
- Comes from an under-represented racial background (BIPOC, or Black, Indigenous, or Person of Colour)
- Is of an under-represented gender identity (transgender, non-binary, genderfluid, and more)
- Is a first generation immigrant (immigrated to Canada)
Nominees who do not meet one of the above-listed priority criteria, but are passionate about STEM/the environment or are otherwise interested in our programs, are absolutely welcome. Please complete a nomination and note that many of our participants are in this category.
To advance our mission, 50% of seats in all programs are reserved for participants who meet one or more of our priority criteria. Remaining seats are filled with participants who are passionate about STEM and/or the environment or otherwise interested in our programs. Nominations will open in early April.
Terranaut Club 