The MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie, Ontario, is hosting a week-long day camp called “ABSTRACT NATURE!” for children ages 6 to 11 from March 16 to March 20, 2026. This program provides local families with a creative childcare option during the school break, where kids can participate in hands-on activities like clay, painting, collage, and printmaking.
The camp runs daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and is led by Tessa Deneumoustier, a local artist and lead instructor on the gallery’s VanGo education team. For the third year in a row, students from Georgian College will join the camp for a special day of collaborative art projects. These students from the Museum and Gallery Studies program will work directly with the children to enhance their learning experience.
Registration for the full week costs $315 for non-members and $300 for gallery members. For parents who need more time, extended care is available for an extra $50, which covers supervision from 8:30 am to 9:00 am and from 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
Families interested in the program can register online through the gallery’s website. Tourism Barrie has highlighted the camp as a top local activity for the upcoming March Break. The event is expected to increase foot traffic to the downtown area while providing children with a chance to explore nature through different art forms.
