Exploring the Universe with Appleby Campers

This past summer, Telescopes Canada had the privilege of bringing the wonders of astronomy directly to the campers at Appleby College. Each week, I visited the Space & Beyond camp, working with curious campers ranging in age from 7 to 14 years old. On a few occasions, I also had the chance to engage with the younger Discovery campers (ages 4–7), giving even the youngest learners their first look at the Sun through a telescope.

A typical visit began with an interactive presentation indoors, where I introduced campers to two important topics: solar safety and light pollution preservation. Before heading outside, we talked about why it’s dangerous to look directly at the Sun without proper protection, how special solar filters and eclipse glasses work, and why astronomers must always use the right equipment. I even passed around a solar filter so the kids could see for themselves how it blocks light. These safety lessons set the stage for the excitement to come.

When it was time to go outside, campers lined up eagerly to use our telescopes. For the first few weeks, we used the Seestar smart telescope, which allowed campers to control the telescope via iPad and see sunspots appear instantly on screen. Later, we introduced the Sky-Watcher Heliostar Solar Telescope, which offered the thrill of looking directly through an eyepiece at sunspots and prominences. Many campers described their first views with wide-eyed “wows” and “that’s so cool!” moments.

Light pollution was another important theme. I explained that in the city, it’s harder to see the stars because of artificial lights, but when you’re at a cottage or in the countryside, thousands of stars become visible. Campers loved making connections to their own experiences, and some even promised to switch off porch or closet lights at home to do their part. On one special day with the Discovery program, I presented to more than 250 younger campers at once. Every child had the chance to use the telescope safely to view the Sun, proving that astronomy can spark excitement at any age.

The impact was clear. Every Friday, Appleby campers hosted a showcase for their parents, and astronomy was often the highlight of the week. Many children were so inspired that they asked their parents for telescopes as birthday or holiday gifts. I also heard from camp staff and parents who shared how their kids kept talking about the experience long after the session ended. Bringing astronomy to Appleby Summer Camps was a truly rewarding experience for Telescopes Canada. It was wonderful to see so many young people light up with curiosity and wonder, and to know that for many of them, this was their very first time seeing the Sun up close through a telescope. Experiences like these remind us why outreach matters: because one moment of awe can inspire a lifetime of exploration.