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!
2025 Workshops
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 our yearly workshop schedule.
Have any questions about our workshops?
For more information, email [email protected]
How To Be a Happy (Winter!) Camper with Kevin Callan – February 1st, 2025
Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaKevin Callan comes to The Canadian Canoe Museum to bring you his Winter Camping workshop! This one-day workshop will make you better equipped for your winter camping trip.
Carve a Wooden Spoon – February 8th, 2025
Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaCarve a wooden spoon with experienced carver, John Wager!
Start the class learning about safety and knife techniques before you begin carving your own spoon.
Carve a Wooden Cup – March 1st, 2025
Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaCarve a wooden cup perfect for your next canoe or camping trip with knowledgeable carver, John Wager.
Carve a Canoe Paddle – March 20th & 21st, 2025
Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaCreate your own beautiful carved and sanded black cherry paddle and go home with all the varnishing supplies to see it complete.
Weave a Black Ash Basket – April 12th, 2025
Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaSpend the day making a black ash basket with knowledgeable carver and basket maker, John Wager. Learn about the basics of weaving while you craft your own black ash basket in our Living Traditions Studio.
Build a Wanigan and Sew a Tumpline – April 25th, 2025
Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaIn 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 together the leather pieces of your tumpline. By the end of the day your finished wanigan and tumpline are ready for next backcountry canoe trip.
How To Be a Happy Camper with Kevin Callan – June 7th, 2025
Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaKevin 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.
Cooking Over a Fire with Chef Amanda – July 17th, 2025
Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaSpend 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.
Carve a Canoe Paddle – September 18th and 19th, 2025
Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaCreate your own beautiful carved and sanded black cherry paddle and go home with all the varnishing supplies to see it complete.
Wood-and-Canvas Canoe Restoration Clinic – November 6th and 7th, 2025
Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaDo 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 planking) while being immersed in the world’s largest collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft.
Make a Leather-Bound Journal – November 15th, 2025
Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaThis 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 at a desk. Once filled with memories, the cover can be detached and a new text block inserted for new journeys.
Carve a Canoe Paddle – December 11th and 12th, 2025
Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, CanadaCreate your own beautiful carved and sanded black cherry paddle and go home with all the varnishing supplies to see it complete.
Be the first to receive workshop news!
Sign up for our workshops mailing list and be the first to know when we release our yearly schedule! We will only email you about workshops (a few fan-favourite workshops sell out just from this mailing list!).
Members save on workshops!
Members of The Canadian Canoe Museum receive a 10% discount on workshops.
Learn more about becoming a member!
Get Started!
The Living Traditions Centre
Active Areas
The Living Traditions Centre houses the Artisan Studio, the Canoe-Building Studio and the Millshop. These active hands-on areas host the Museum’s popular adult artisan skills workshops and courses. Here, visitors have the opportunity to learn snowshoe making, paddle carving, beading, fabric arts and much more. The Canoe-Building Studio is dedicated to boat-building courses and demonstrations. Just around the corner, the Millshop is a vital behind-the-scenes area of the Museum where staff and volunteers put their woodworking skills into play to support the mission of the Museum.
The interiors of both the Artisan and Canoe-Building Studios are visible to the visiting public from the Atrium and they have doors that open wide to the lakeside grounds to utilize the outdoor space when weather permits!
