General Information

The Camp | Getting to Camp | Details | Who We Are

The Camp

Unique in Canada!
You've never seen a camp quite like us...

We're surrounded! The badlands make a spectacular setting. Fossils, rocks, grasslands, plants, wildlife - it's all around us. Even right in camp we find an an abundance of subjects for our curiosity about the world.

Camp is Based on Inquiry and Exploration.

Our staff love learning about the world, and excel at sharing that love with campers. Days immersed in science and nature make it all work. When campers go home with a spirit of inquiry, understanding and respect, we have reached one of our major goals.

Yes, We Do Dig Dinosaurs!

As part of an ongoing research project we hold an excavation permit that allows us to work a bone bed near camp. With care and guidance campers help in the excavation and other parts of the project. We are the only camp in Canada to offer this experience.

We're a field camp, simple yet functional; tipis for shelter, a spring-fed tub to cool off in, and a few trees for shade. This season our new location gives us different sites to explore, while allowing our old location a chance to recover from years of use during drought conditions.

We're outdoors the whole camp, in a fresh air environment. With lots of exercise and good food kids learn to be hardy and resilient, and to delight in a healthy lifestyle.

We plan challenging and safe experiences so campers can go beyond what they thought possible. Caring, competent staff make it a positive growth experience for all.

Getting to Camp

Camp is approximately 20 km east of Drumheller. Follow Hwy 10 to the Hoodoos, then follow the signs. A shuttle service is available to and from the Calgary International Airport for campers arriving from out of province.

Camp is in an isolated yet accessible location 20 km east of Drumheller, nearby to the famous Hoodoos. For the summer of 2002 we are using a different location, to allow our previous site a rest after several seasons of heavy use during drought conditions. Our new location is rich with program resources, and offers an exciting environment to explore.

Click here to view a regional map.

Distances to camp from:

Calgary 150 Km

Edmonton 300 Km

Saskatoon 500 Km

Red Deer 180 Km

Medicine Hat 250 Km

Details

When you register for camp, we send out a confirmation package with everything you need to know. But here's some background:

Dinosaur Country Weather

It's extreme! Wide open prairie and bare badlands rock create intense, changeable conditions. Temperatures up to 40 C (105 F) during the day and frosty nights can be expected any time during the summer. Thunderstorms can quickly turn a hot afternoon cold and wet. Trees are few and far between, so

shelter is often unavailable. At camp we learn to thrive in these demanding conditions. Good protective clothing, lots of water and watching the weather are part of every day at camp.

Click here for the current weather conditions.

Checking In and Out

Check-in is 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on the first day of camp (usually Sunday) and check-out is 11:00am to noon on the last day of camp.

What to Wear

Click here to view some pictures that illustrate what campers should wear.

In an Emergency

In an emergency the Camp Director and staff take the utmost care to ensure the safety of each participant. All staff are trained in first aid procedures, accident prevention strategies and site specific emergency procedures. Our proactive approach results in a very safe camp, with injuries being rare. Camp has no specialized medical facilities, but is only 20 km from the Drumheller hospital.

Who We Are

Dinosaur Country Science Camp is operated by The Drumheller Regional Science Council, a Not-For-Profit Charitable Organization. DRSC was started in 1991, with the goal of providing educational opportunities in scientific studies and increasing science literacy. It's primary project is the Dinosaur Country Science Camp, which has the following mission:

"Through the scientific exploration of the unique resources of Dinosaur Country, we hope to inspire campers to think, feel and wonder about the world. By looking for stories wherever they go, campers should gain a better understanding of their place in the natural and cultural world."

Drumheller Regional Science Council Members Include:

Royal Tyrrell Museum
City of Drumheller
Drumheller Regional Chamber of Development and Tourism
Municipal District of Starland #47
Golden Hills School Division #15
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Separate Regional Division #3

Camp Director Robin Digby has headed the camp since it's inception in 1991. His training is in geology and education, his work experience in palaeontology, archaeology and running outdoor education programs. He is a certified teacher.

Camp Leaders

Staff are selected for their background in science, experience with kids and their ability to make science fun. Most are university students in the sciences and many are former campers who participated in our Leader in Training program. All staff make a strong contribution to the camp program. The staff-to-camper ratio is one-to-eight for most activities, and one-to-five for the canoe trip.