Exploration Days | Loyalist Township

Back for the 2026 summer season!

Thursdays at the Babcock Mill | Fridays at the Bath Museum and Visitors Centre

Explore the history of Loyalist with fun, interactive learning experiences this summer!

With the help of local artists, artisans, and community organizations, each activity is completely different from the next, allowing you to gain all types of new skills and learn so much!

Exploration Days takes place every week in the summer season, rotating between Thursdays at the Babcock Mill and Fridays at the Bath Museum and Visitors Centre. All Exploration Day activities run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

All activities are free to attend and are suited for all ages!

Babcock Mill 2026 Exploration Days

Dates: Thursdays - July/August (see below)
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place: Babcock Mill, 100 Bridge Street, Odessa

July 2 - Buzz, Flutter & Fly! Pollinator Party (with Kim & Carol)

Kick off the summer on Thursday, July 2 with Buzz, Flutter & Fly! Pollinator Party, hosted by Kim & Carol! Families are invited to explore the amazing world of bees, butterflies, and other helpful pollinators through fun stories, fascinating facts, and hands-on activities. Discover incredible insect abilities, like butterflies that taste with their feet, and follow the journey of a caterpillar’s transformation.

This drop-in program is free, open to all ages, and no pre-registration is required—just come ready to explore!

July 9 - Carve & Create: Woodworking Fun (with Mark Sheridan)

Join us on Thursday, July 9 for Carve & Create: Woodworking Fun with local woodworker Mark Sheridan. This hands-on experience invites families to safely explore basic carving techniques and create a simple project to take home. It’s a great chance to try something new and learn together!

This program is free, open to all ages (with adult supervision required), and no pre-registration is needed.

July 16 - Lights On! Powering the Past

On Thursday, July 16, discover how communities were powered in the past with Lights On! Powering the Past! Through fun, hands-on experiments, participants will explore simple circuits, switches, and the science behind early electricity.

This interactive program is free, family-friendly, and no pre-registration is required—just drop in and join the fun!

July 23 - Nature Makers: Create with the Land (with Ohkwa:ri Creations)

Get creative on Thursday, July 23 with Nature Makers: Create with the Land, led by Ohkwa:ri Creations. Using natural materials like leaves, bark, and clay, participants will create their own artwork while connecting with the environment and learning about traditional artistic techniques.

This meaningful, hands-on experience is free, open to all ages, and no pre-registration is required.

July 30 - Wheels, Rails & Rides! (with Local Collector Clubs)

Join us on Thursday, July 30 for Wheels, Rails & Rides! featuring local collector groups including the Odessa Car Club, Belleville Model Railroad Club, and Vintage Motorcycle Club. Explore historic vehicles, chat with collectors, and even try running a model train!

This exciting drop-in event is free, fun for all ages, and no pre-registration is required.

*This special event runs from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

August 6 - Weave a Wonder: Basket Making (with Naneen Tyner)

On Thursday, August 6, try your hand at weaving in Weave a Wonder: Basket Making with Naneen Tyner. Participants will learn simple techniques to create a small basket using natural materials while discovering how baskets were used in everyday life.

This creative workshop is free, open to all ages, and no pre-registration is required.

August 13 - Nature Walk & Story Creations (with Judi Montgomery)

Join us on Thursday, August 13 for Nature Walk & Story Creations with Indigenous artist and storyteller Judi Montgomery. Begin with a gentle walk to collect natural materials, then transform them into a unique, imaginative creation inspired by storytelling and the natural world.

This enriching experience is free, suitable for all ages, and no pre-registration is required.

August 20 - STEAM Into Summer Finale! (with Summer Students)

Wrap up the season on Thursday, August 20 with STEAM Into Summer Finale! hosted by our summer students. Enjoy a morning filled with hands-on experiments, creative challenges, and interactive fun combining science, art, and engineering.

This exciting final event is free, open to all ages, and no pre-registration is required.

Bath Museum 2026 Exploration Days

Dates: Fridays July/August (see below)
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place: Bath Museum & Visitors Centre, 434 Main Street

July 3 – Clay Play! Pottery Fun (with Linda Fraser)

Start the season on Friday, July 3 with Clay Play! Pottery Fun, led by Linda Fraser. Families can squish, shape, and design their own clay creations, including a special “nature treasure dish” to take home.

This hands-on workshop is free, open to all ages, and no pre-registration is required.

July 10 – Stamp It! Printmaking Party (with Angela Smith-Pollard)

Get creative on Friday, July 10 at Stamp It! Printmaking Party with Angela Smith-Pollard. Design and carve your own stamps, then use them to create colourful prints to take home.

This fun, artistic program is free, family-friendly, and no pre-registration is required.

July 17 – Puppet Palooza! (with Clelia Scala)

Join us on Friday, July 17 for Puppet Palooza! and bring your imagination to life. Create your own puppet using fun materials and get ready for storytelling adventures.
This creative drop-in program is free, open to all ages, and no pre-registration is required.

Make it a full family day in Bath and join us at the Fairfield Gutzeit House at 2:00 p.m. for a children’s theatre performance with Dufflebag Theater. Tickets are available at: loyalist.ca/events.

July 24 – Weave It Together! Textile Creations (with Beth Fisher)

On Friday, July 24, join Beth Fisher for Weave It Together! Textile Creations. Learn simple weaving techniques using colourful fabrics and create a one-of-a-kind piece inspired by traditional practices.

This hands-on program is free, family-friendly, and no pre-registration is required.

July 31 – Secret Messages: Spy Science Fun (with Summer Students)

Discover hidden messages on Friday, July 31 at Secret Messages: Spy Science Fun! Learn how to create invisible ink and uncover secret writing techniques used in the past.

This interactive program is free, fun for all ages, and no pre-registration is required.

August 7 – Treasure Keepers: Collectors Club (with Mike MacKinnon)

Join us on Friday, August 7 for Treasure Keepers: Collectors Club with Mike MacKinnon. Hear all about Mike’s collection, learn how to care for your favourite collections and create your own money bank to take home.

This engaging program is free, open to all ages, and no pre-registration is required.

August 14 – Press, Pattern & Shine! Art Adventure (with MULU Mobile Art Studio)

Get creative on Friday, August 14 with Press, Pattern & Shine! Art Adventure, led by MULU Mobile Art Studio. Try metal embossing and texture art techniques to create a unique, take-home piece.

This hands-on experience is free, suitable for all ages, and no pre-registration is required.

August 21 – Time Travelers: Capsule Creations (with L&A County Archives)

End the season on Friday, August 21 with Time Travelers: Capsule Creations in partnership with L&A County Archives. Create your own time capsule and contribute to a special community capsule that will be preserved for the future.

This meaningful program is free, open to all ages, and no pre-registration is required.