Frequently Asked Questions

Go to the  Discovery Western Registration Portal  to create an account, or to update an existing account for your child.

During the summer months, students and campers are grouped based on the  grade that they will be entering in the fall  succeeding that summer. For example: if your camper is in Grade 2 at the time of registration, then they will be entering Grade 3 in the fall and therefore should register for the Grade 2 to 3 group for summer camp.

You must register using a computer as well, as mobile devices and tablets will not work. Please make sure there are no extra spaces or special characters in the sections you fill out. Our website is space sensitive, meaning extra spaces before or after phone numbers, names, and dates will stop you from registering.

In order to see the programs available to your child, you must complete camper registration first. Afterward, you will see their name appear in a box to the left of your screen. Once you have clicked that box, a list of age-appropriate camps will appear for you to sign up for.

If you have not registered your child yet, click on "add a camper" to add your child's information. Once that is complete, you will see their name appear in a box to the left of your screen. Once you have clicked that box, a list of age-appropriate camps will appear for you to sign up for. 

Click on the shopping cart in the top right corner to continue to the payment screen.

Depending on the number of people trying to register at once, our website may be slow. To account for this, we offer staggered registration dates. If problems continue, try changing your browser. Please make sure you are using a laptop or desktop computer, as registration is not possible on tablets or mobile devices.

We’re here to help! Please call our office at 519-661-2111 extension 88826 or email us at discover@uwo.ca for further assistance.

Throughout the summer there will be a variety of camp weeks that will have groups reserved for girls. Our “Just for Girls” weeks allow girls to explore engineering in a place where they can be themselves and where they can meet women in STEM and allies. “Just for Girls” weeks will feature additional activities that highlight all the amazing accomplishments of female scientists and engineers. As part of our all-girls programming, Western Engineering Outreach welcomes gender-diverse youth, including but not limited to cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth and gender queer youth.

Western Engineering Summer Academy (WESA) is a program for youth in Grades 7 to 12. At WESA, youth will participate in hands-on science and engineering activities and challenges, tour campus, and meet engineering faculty and staff.It’s an opportunity for youth to explore engineering and post-secondary studies here at Western.  Western Engineering Staff are mindful of the experience and prior knowledge WESA participants bring to camp and regularly check in with participants throughout the week. Activities are designed and selected to be appropriate for a range of grades and are flexible based on the grade of the participant. WESA participants are supervised by senior camp staff at all times to support their participation and engagement.

Western Engineering Outreach aims to offer science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach experiences where everyone feels safe and included. We believe that STEM is for everyone. Our Code of Conduct and behavioral management approach helps ensure the safety and inclusion of all participants as well as a fun and positive experience for all! To help ensure all participants are safe and treated with dignity, all program participants must follow our Code of Conduct and understand our “Green Light – Yellow Light – Red Light” approach to behavioral management. While every effort will be made to correct inappropriate or harmful behaviour, it is our policy that parents/guardians will be notified of such behaviours and if it continues, Discovery Western requires that the camper be sent home. Discovery Western will not be held responsible for any costs associated with the camper’s dismissal and no refund will be provided. 

Code of Conduct

If a camper cannot attend camp we understand that families may seek a refund. Our refund policy is designed to balance this important need with the resources already committed to program operations.

• Partial refund: A refund 80% of the registration costs will be issued if the request is received at least 10 business days prior to the start date of camp; a 20% non-refundable administration fee is applied to all cancellations made up to 10 business days prior to the camper's start date. All cancellation requests must be submitted to discover@uwo.ca in writing at least 10 business days prior to the camper’s start date. We are unable to process refund requests over the phone.
• No refund: No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 10 business days prior to the camper's start date. No refunds will be provided to campers who do not attend camp. No refunds may be issued once the program has begun as resources have been committed for the camper’s participation. Refunds will not be issued in the event your camper is sent home due to inappropriate or harmful behaviors; please refer to our Code of Conduct. No refunds will be made in the event of a university closure.
• Exceptional circumstances: Please contact us if your camper is experiencing exceptional circumstances that may impact their planned attendance. Please note that once the program has begun, we are unable to provide a refund as resources have been committed for the camper’s participation.
• Requests to switch groups: If you choose to change camps (either week, location or age group) this must be submitted in writing to discover@uwo.ca at least 10 business days prior to the camper's start date. Changes can only be made if there is availability. Campers are not permitted to switch camps less than 10 business days prior to their start date.

We unfortunately cannot guarantee camper grouping requests. While we understand how much campers look forward to seeing their friends at camp, our camp groups are set ahead of each camp week to ensure ratios of campers to instructors are maintained; to allocate appropriate resources; to allow us time to prepare the necessary documentation we require to safely facilitate sign in / sign out and head counts throughout the day; and to allow our instructors time to review any notes provided by parents/guardians to ensure we’re providing the best experience we can for your camper. Thank you for helping us put safety first.

If your camper requires medication to be taken throughout the day at camp, please note that camp staff are not trained or authorized to administer medication of any kind with the exception of life threatening emergencies (e.g., an anaphylactic reaction). All other medications must be taken by the camper independently or parents / guardians must make arrangements to return to the camp to oversee the administration of medicines.

If your camper will require medication to be taken at camp, a Medication Intake Form must be filled out and signed before drop off. Please complete the Medication Intake Form and bring on your first day of camp. All medications must be in original containers and contain dosage information. Epi-pens, asthma inhalers, etc. are carried by the camper or the camper’s counselor.

Medication Intake Form

While Discovery Western is a nut-aware camp, we make use of shared spaces on campus and cannot guarantee that all spaces are completely free of allergens. We ask that all parents/caregivers ensure that food items are nut- and peanut-free, however, we do not monitor compliance of this and do not search campers’ lunches.

If your camper requires an epi-pens, please complete the Medication Intake Form and bring on your first day of camp along with an Anaphylaxis Emergency Form with an attached photo of your camper. Epi-pens are carried by the camper or the camper’s counselor as per the Anaphylaxis Emergency Form.

Medication Intake Form

At Discovery Western we believe that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is for everyone! The main goal of our camp is that our campers have fun! While we want our campers to learn something new through hands-on learning, we also want them to have fun and have the opportunity to explore science and engineering in a place where they can be themselves. Our camp blends favourite camp games and activities with science and engineering.  Our science and engineering activities provide an opportunity for our campers to use technology, computers, special equipment and everyday items you can find around your house.  We aim to show kids that everyone can be a scientist or engineer; no special equipment or prior experience required!

A sample camp day includes: 

• icebreakers and get-to-know-you games
• two nutrition breaks with a designated lunch break
• hands-on science and engineering activities
• crafts, games or other activities to reinforce the weekly themes and daily STEM learning
• physical activity and time to move whether it’s a walk, body break, swim time or camp game
• special events such as tours of on-campus locations or time to meet with an engineer

Our Discovery Western Summer Camp (for Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6) is held on Western University’s campus.

More information about drop-off and pick-up locations as well as parking information will be shared ahead of camp.

Our Western Engineering Summer Academy is held on Western University’s campus.

More information about drop-off and pick-up locations as well as parking information will be shared ahead of camp.

Campus Map

Discovery Western Camp (for Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6) costs between $275 and $325 per week. Before and after care is available for $25 each. Please pay online using a credit card during registration.

The Western Engineering Summer Academy (for Grades 7 to 12) is $350 a week.

Each camper will receive a t-shirt to commemorate their time at summer camp! Please review and update your camper’s t-shirt size in their camper profile.

During the summer months, students and campers are grouped based on the grade they’re going into in the Fall. For example: A camper may be in Grade 2 at the time of registration, but by the time camp starts in the summer, they will have finished Grade 2 and will be going into Grade 3. Therefore, they should register for the Grade 2 to 3 summer camp group.

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer a lunch program.  Parents/guardians are asked to send a nut-free lunch and snacks along with a reusable water bottle. Discovery Western is a nut-aware camp – please ensure that all lunch and snack items are peanut and nut free.

Swimming is included as a weekly activity in our Discovery Western Senior Kindergarten (SK) to Grade 6 camps. Campers will have access to Western University's Student Recreation Centre pool once a week.

Campers in the SK to Grade 1 camps are required to wear a life jacket regardless of swimming ability. Campers in Grades 2 and older will be required to complete and pass a swim test, or wear a life jacket (life jackets are provided by the pool). In the interest of safety, there are strict policies set by the pool regarding instructor to camper ratios, and campers may be required to wear a life jacket regardless of swimming skill.

There will always be a lifeguard at the pool and an instructor on deck with a variety of activities to supervise campers who don't want to swim, or don't know how. For older campers who do not wish to swim, they are more than welcome to bring a book from home for the swimming period as well. Electronic devices are not permitted at camp.

At Discovery Western we believe that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is for everyone! The main goal of our camp is that our campers have fun! While we want our campers to learn something new through hands-on learning, we also want them to have fun and have the opportunity to explore science and engineering in a place where they can be themselves. More information about our camp content can be found in our camp themes. Our activities are suitable for those with no prior experience.

We offer a variety of themed content options throughout the summer so that your child can attend multiple weeks of camp. However, please note the content repeats for camps that are listed with the same theme for the same age group – for example: two weeks of Grade 4 to 6 camp with the theme of “space” will have the same content, even if they run on different dates.

Discovery Western has a limited number of bursaries available each year to support the participation of those who would otherwise be unable to take part in camp. Information about our bursaries can be found here.

Western Engineering Outreach has a staff team of 20+ individuals who are all required to attend training sessions, submit a Vulnerable Sector Check, and have an updated First Aid & CPR Level C certificate. We often have returning staff who are able to bring a wealth of knowledge from previous years as well as serve as mentors to our new staff.

We are not currently able to offer a waitlist for our camps. Check back often to see if a spot has opened for your desired camp week. There is usually some movement, but we recommend registering early in order to ensure your spot at Discovery Western camps as our camp spots often fill to capacity.

Other than their imaginations, campers will need to bring a few additional items including:

• Lunch and snacks for their nutrition breaks to carry them through days of fun hands-on engineering activities!
• Sunscreen
• A reusable water bottle
• Running shoes and sneakers are preferred for camp 

It is important to note that campers will not be permitted to buy their lunches at cafeterias, shops, etc.

Discovery Western is a nut-aware camp, so please bring a lunch and snacks that are peanut- and nut-free.ts

Please dress for the weather as we will be spending time outside as well as walking to our other on-campus locations for tours.

Please label all items.

In order to have a fun and safe learning environment, we ask that you do not bring:

• Cell phones
• Cameras
• iPods/iPads
• Video games
• Playing/trading cards
• Toys
• Matches/lighters
• PEANUT/NUT products.

We are not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen items.