SuperNOVA Summer Camps

SuperNOVA Summer Camps introduce participants to STEM concepts, careers, and mentors through fun experiments and innovative hands-on activities.

Summer Camp registration opens February 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM

Please note the summer camp schedule is for planning purposes only, and is subject to change.

See this year’s schedule

How to Choose the Right Camp

Camp Descriptions

Locations

A day at Camp

FAQ'S

Policies

Camp Descriptions

Science
Engineering
Computer Science & Technology
Oceans Science & Technology

Bursaries

Thanks to generous contributions from our supporters, we are proud to provide full and partial bursaries to youth who may face financial barriers and would otherwise be unable to participate in our programming.

“I love this camp because I get to talk to other kids about science!”

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR BURSARY PROGRAM

How to chooose the right camp

We recommend that you register your child in the camp age group of the grade they will be entering in September. For example, if your child is currently in Grade 2 in this academic year, you should choose the camps for Grade 3.

Camp projects and activities are developed and delivered by undergraduate university students and are designed to match participant’s grade level, interests, and abilities.

SuperNOVA summer camps are based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at
Dalhousie University.

See This Year's schedule

2025 Camp Locations

ALL ENGINEERING & COMPUTER SCIENCE CAMPS:

Campers will be dropped off & picked-up at the Sexton Campus.

ALL OCEANS & SCIENCE CAMPS:

Campers will be dropped off & picked-up at the Studley Campus.

For more information about Drop-off and Pick-up locations see below

Sexton Campus

All Engineering & Computer Science Camps

Da Costa Row from Barrington Street

Drop-off and pick-up

Front doors of the B Building at the Alumni Lounge, on the left if coming up Da Costa Row from Barrington Street.

Studley Campus

All Oceans & Science Camps

Corner of Castine Way and Lord Dalhousie Drive

Drop-off and pick-up

Front doors of the Wallace McCain Learning Commons at the end of Lord Dalhousie Drive off Coburg Road.

A Day at SuperNOVA Summer Camp

Morning
- Camper Drop off (outside, weather permitting): 8:30 – 9:00 AM
- At 9:00 AM campers are divided into their camp groups and head off to their camp room to do hands-on activities until lunch.
Lunch / Snacks

Campers are expected to pack a morning and afternoon snack as well as a lunch. SuperNOVA is a NUT FREE camp. Weather permitting; lunch takes place outdoors from 12:00 PM -1:00 PM and is combined with physical activity and games.
Afternoon

Following their lunch break, campers continue working on hands-on projects and activities until 3:30 PM when outdoor supervision begins.
End of day pick-up

Camper Pick-Up (outside, weather permitting): 3:30 – 4:00 PM

This time features a mix of supervised physical activities and quiet activities.

To ensure the safety of all involved, only authorized individuals will be able to pick-up your camper and will be required to present valid, government issued identification.

FAQ’S

Where are SuperNOVA camps held?
How will drop off and pick up work?
Are lunches, snacks, and water provided?
What are the camp hours?
What are the activities like? How challenging are they?
SuperNOVA’s camps offer a number of rich experiences for youth, including:

hands-on experiments and projects,

design and build engineering challenges,

exciting visual demonstrations,

games and physical activities,

tours of labs and related facilities, and inspiring interactions with scientists, engineers, and technologists involved in research and industry.
Swimming

On Wednesdays, Oceans and Science campers have the opportunity to go swimming at the Dalplex pool. Campers that choose not to swim will be supervised. There is no swimming day for Engineering and Computer Science camps.

Campers in Grades 3+ will have the opportunity to take a swim test administered by Dalplex Lifeguards. Those that are not able to complete the swim test will be required to wear a lifejacket and remain in the shallow end of the pool for the duration of the swim. All students in Grades 1-2 will be expected to wear lifejackets and remain in the shallow end.

Policies

Essential personal items

Campers will only bring necessary items to the program, including: appropriate outerwear, water bottle, and sunscreen.

For Oceans and Science Camps only: On Wednesdays, please send your child(ren) in with a swimsuit and towel for swimming at the Dalplex pool.

NOT permitted:

Personal items including: cell phones, collector cards, handheld games and electronics, toys/stuffed animals, money or debit cards.
Registration and payment policy
Cancellation and refund policy

SuperNOVA has a NON-REFUNDABLE registration deposit of $50 per camp. Refunds for remaining fees will be issued if cancellation is received 7 days prior to the start date of the camp you have registered for. No refunds will be issued for cancellations once the camp you have registered for is in progress. Please email us at supernova@dal.ca with the details of the change/transfer/cancellation you need to make and we’ll process it ASAP.
Choosing a camp (grade/age and topic)
Drop-off/pick-up

Check-in for both campuses: 8:30 – 9:00 AM.

At the desk, you will be asked to confirm your child’s name and camp, and the supervisor will sign them in.

Your child(ren) will be asked to gather on the field with instructors/camps until it is time to head to their classroom.

Check-out for both campuses: 3:30 – 4:00 PM

You will be asked to line up (similar to check-in) and must present a piece of valid government issued ID to check out your child(ren).

You provided a list of approved adults that can pick up each child at registration. Only these adults will be able to pick up your child(ren). To confirm or update this list, please email supernova@dal.ca or call 902-210-6220.

Extended Care is available from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
Early pick-up/late drop-off
Lunches & snacks
Medicine
Emergencies

SuperNOVA Instructors receive Emergency First Aid and WHMIS training, in addition to in-depth childcare and classroom management. SuperNOVA staff carry first-aid kits to handle minor incidents.

Parents/guardians will be immediately notified of any incident via the parent and emergency contact information provided during registration. Please ensure that this information is current and up to date.

Any emergency camp closures will be communicated through SuperNOVA’s social media accounts and emailed to the contact information provided at registration.
Accessibility and inclusion
Financial assistance (bursary program)
Media Consent
Media consent child

Media consent adult

SEE THIS YEAR'S SCHEDULE