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Workshops

Workshops

Workshops are important to the hands-on philosophy of the Canadian Canoe Museum and the hands-on nature of canoes, kayaks, and paddling. Our workshops focus on learning by doing and draw inspiration from our extensive collection, exhibits, canoe trips, and traditional gear.

Our workshops offer you the opportunity to learn new skills and experience the satisfaction that comes from crafting something with your own hands, with a focus on natural materials and top-notch instruction.

Our excellent instructors are chosen for their ability to teach their topics with authenticity and skill, providing you with a truly immersive experience. Whether you’re interested in paddle carving, canoe construction, weaving, sewing, or leatherwork, our workshops cover a wide range of topics, ensuring there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy. Our new Lakefront Campus also provides many exciting opportunities to expand our artisan workshop program offerings to the great outdoors.

Connect with like-minded adults and gain a profound sense of accomplishment as you learn a new skill or craft. Sign up for a workshop today and join us on this journey of discovery and creation!

2024 Workshops

Below is a preview of the inaugural workshop series at our new museum.

The Canadian Canoe Museum is thrilled to offer many returning fan-favourite and exciting new workshops. Our workshops fill up fast, so book and secure your spot to ensure you don’t miss out!

Sign up for our workshop mailing list and be the first to know when we release the complete workshop schedule in 2024.

We will only email you about workshops (a few fan-favourite workshops sell out just from this mailing list!).

$340

Carve a Canoe Paddle – Dec 12 & 13, 2024

While learning how to use traditional hand tools with the help of a supportive, expert instructors, create your own beautiful carved and sanded black cherry paddle.
Register now
$340

Carve a Canoe Paddle – March 20th & 21st, 2025

Create your own beautiful carved and sanded black cherry paddle and go home with all the varnishing supplies to see it complete. Learn to use traditional hand tools and complete your paddle with the help of a supportive, expert instructors. …
Register now
$340

Carve a Canoe Paddle – September 18th and 19th, 2025

Create your own beautiful carved and sanded black cherry paddle and go home with all the varnishing supplies to see it complete. Learn to use traditional hand tools and complete your paddle with the help of a supportive, expert instructors. …
Register now
$340

Carve a Canoe Paddle – December 11th and 12th, 2025

Create your own beautiful carved and sanded black cherry paddle and go home with all the varnishing supplies to see it complete. Learn to use traditional hand tools and complete your paddle with the help of a supportive, expert instructors. …
Register now
$140

How To Be a Happy (Winter!) Camper with Kevin Callan – February 1st, 2025

Kevin Callan comes to The Canadian Canoe Museum to bring you his Winter Camping workshop! Also known as the Happy Camper, Kevin is a legendary Canadian camping icon and the author of many excellent books and resources on camping including, The …
Register now
$280

Build a Wanigan and Sew a Tumpline – April 25th, 2025

Have you always wanted a wanigan?  In this disciplinary workshop you’ll start the day with a hammer and nails assembling the wooden pieces of your wanigan. After lunch you try your hand at the basics of leather working – sewing …
Register now
$140

How To Be a Happy Camper with Kevin Callan – June 7th, 2025

Kevin Callan (a.k.a. The Happy Camper) instructor and author of The Happy Camper: The Essential Guide to Life Outdoors will be hosting a canoe tripping workshop touching on everything from first-time outings, more moderate excursions, and advanced multiple-day trips, He’ll be …
Register now
$99

Cooking Over a Fire with Chef Amanda – July 17th, 2025

Spend an evening cooking a rustic and delicious feast over fire with Chef Amanda and her husband, Adam.  Learn different cooking techniques over coals and open flame while enjoying a three course meal.  Start with kneading and baking a Crusty …
Register now
$475

Wood-and-Canvas Canoe Restoration Clinic – November 6th and 7th, 2025

Do you have a wood-and-canvas canoe at home that needs a little love?  Participants in the canoe restoration clinic will learn how to re-canvas a wood-and-canvas canoe and perform basic structural repairs (for example; replacing a rib, or repairing damaged …
Register now
$165

Make a Leather-Bound Journal – November 15th, 2025

This rugged, attractive leather-covered journal is based on a 14th century ledger structure. You will appreciate how this beautiful book’s construction allows the pages to open flat, making it perfect for sketching while sitting on the shore, or writing in …
Register now

Have more questions about our Artisan Workshops?

Sign up for our workshops mailing list and be the first to know when we release the complete workshop schedule in 2024! We will only email you about workshops (a few fan-favourite workshops sell out just from this mailing list!).

For more information, email [email protected].

Members save on workshops!

Members of The Canadian Canoe Museum receive a 10% discount on workshops.

Learn more about becoming a member!

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A pewter pin of the pictograph that The Canadian Canoe Museum's logo is inspired by is pinned to the lapel of a red jacket.

The Living Traditions Centre

Parent and child look into the Artisan Workshop room.

Active Areas

The Living Traditions Centre will house the Artisan Studio, the Canoe-Building Studio and the Millshop. These active hands-on areas will host the Museum’s popular adult artisan skills workshops and courses. Here, visitors will have the opportunity to learn snowshoe making, paddle carving, beading, fabric arts and much more. The Canoe-Building Studio will be dedicated to boat-building courses and demonstrations. Just around the corner, the Millshop will be a vital behind-the-scenes area of the Museum where staff and volunteers can put their woodworking skills into play to support the mission of the Museum.

The interiors of both the Artisan and Canoe-Building Studios will be visible to the visiting public from the Atrium and they will have doors that open wide to the lakeside grounds to utilize the outdoor space when weather permits!

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The Canadian Canoe Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and the traditional territory covered by the Williams Treaties First Nations. The Canadian Canoe Museum also recognizes the contributions of Indigenous Peoples including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, in shaping this community and country as a whole.

As an organization that stewards the world’s largest and most significant collection of canoes, kayaks & paddled watercraft, we will honour and share the cultural histories and stories within the collection in all that we do.

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2077 Ashburnham Dr
Peterborough, ON
K9L 1P8
CANADA

Phone: 705-748-9153
Toll Free: 1-866-342-2663

Email: [email protected]

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Supported in part by:

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