Summer Fun Awaits in Loyalist Township’s Free Learning Labs
A Summer of Discovery, Craft, and Play
This summer, Loyalist Township is turning idle curiosity into interactive adventure with Exploration Days—a free weekly workshop series designed to blend learning and fun at two charming locations:
- Babcock Mill in Odessa
- Bath Museum & Visitors Centre
From July to August, every Thursday and Friday, families can drop in between 10 AM and noon for hands-on workshops—no registration required. Each session is a playful dive into local history, skills, and creativity, transforming ordinary afternoons into memorable experiences.
Babcock Mill: Where Hands-On Learning Builds Lasting Memories
At Babcock Mill, the focus is on crafting tangible treasures—things you can hold, use, and take home.
- Forest Workshop: Transform raw materials into art using sticks, bark, and leaves.
- Wire & Basket Weaving: Bend pliable wire into patterns or craft baskets inspired by early settlers.
- Model Train & Trolley Rides: A nostalgic final-week activity that lets families relive vintage transport.
No two Thursdays are alike—local artists and skilled workers collaborate to ensure fresh projects, keeping the excitement alive week after week.
Bath Museum: A Playground of Art, Science, and Hidden Stories
At the Bath Museum, creativity takes messy, colorful, and sometimes sneaky forms.
- Clay & Stamp Art: Shape wet clay into miniature masterpieces while leaving fingerprints of imagination.
- Invisible Ink Spy Science: Uncover secret messages using chemistry, turning spies into scientists.
- Time Capsule Burial: A thoughtful project where modern treasures are buried to be discovered by future generations—a quiet tribute to the stories ordinary objects can tell.
No Rules, Just Fun—And a Little Mess
Exploration Days thrives on zero pressure. No fees. No waiting lists. No rigid instructions.
The only expectation?
“Show up ready to get your hands dirty.”
Local historian Ellen Collins emphasizes that these workshops do more than teach—they reconnect communities with their heritage, proving that local history isn’t confined to display cases. It’s alive in the craft, the play, and the everyday moments.
Whether you’re a lifelong learner, a family searching for summer adventures, or someone who’s always wondered what it’d be like to weave a basket or uncover hidden messages—Exploration Days has something for you.
