(Please scroll down for Wait List details)

Our membership is for families with children aged 8-15 interested in scientific appreciation of minerals and collecting.

The whole family is included in our single family annual membership fee of $60. A family must include at least one adult who is related to the YTMC child participant as a parent, guardian, foster parent, or grandparent. It can include up to 2 adults from this list. The family may include any number of siblings and foster children. Other family structures may be considered at the discretion of the YTMC council.

We usually meet on the last Saturday of the month from September-June, excluding December. The meetings are normally held in the Challenge Zone at the Ontario Science Centre. Members receive free entry to the OSC and a parking discount after noon on the day of our meetings.

Our field trips include trips to quarries, the ROM, University of Toronto, and other collecting sites within a day's trip of Toronto.

Active child members are encouraged to be attentive and respectful at our talks. Some activities require parents/guardians to understand and accept by signing a liability waiver (sometimes several) before entering quarries or collecting sites. Safety equipment must be worn and we will always give a safety talk before entering a collecting site. NO EXCEPTIONS REGARDING SAFETY EQUIPMENT WILL BE PERMITTED. Failure to follow our safety standards will result in the field trip leader requiring you and your family to leave the site.

We provide a light snack at our meetings (please make us aware of any food allergies), We include these regular activities:

  • What's-It contest - children ID minerals and the the child with the most correct answers gets first choice of the minerals in the contest; second most correct gets second choice; etc. The contest is divided into Junior (under 10) and Senior (10 and over) as of first meeting in September.

  • Short talks from guest speakers and Councillors including a visual presentation.

  • Hands-on minerals and mineral displays.

  • Workshops on mineral ID and micro-minerals.

  • Monthly Zonework (quizzes and puzzles) draw for prizes like specimens, books, etc.

  • Show-and-tell including option to be the Mineralogist of the Month to display a portion of the member's collection to the public at the Ontario Science Centre (for about an hour immediately after our meeting). OSC hosts will assist.

Other Contests

  • Junior and Senior annual points winners - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners based on points earned for participation through the year.

  • Joe Mandarino Memorial Prize from the Walker Mineralogical Club to the member that excelled at participating and promoting the hobby.

  • Monthly Zonework Draw - hand in the Zonework for the draw.

Wait List Is Open!

The YTMC has room for about 50 children and we are now in excess of that number. Email WaitList@YTMC.org with child name(s) and age(s). We review the list in late Summer - for new member start in September.

We are a volunteer organization so please keep that in mind when contacting us.

Here are some FAQs and answers:

  • Our year runs from September-June.

  • Memberships are for the whole family (one fee) with children 8-15 invited to participate.

  • Meetings are held at the Ontario Science Centre, usually on the last Saturday of the month (September-June, excluding December).

  • We encourage parents/guardians to remain at the meeting.

  • Members get free entrance to the Ontario Science Centre after noon on the day of the meeting and reduced parking charges.

  • We provide a small snack halfway through the meeting. Let us know if any of your family has food allergies.

  • Our meetings include short (15-30 minute) presentations, hands-on demonstrations, take-home puzzles and quizzes, and mineral ID contests.

  • Members are expected to be respectful and attentive at meetings.

  • Attending field collecting trips requires all adult members to understand, accept, and sign a liability waiver for themselves and their dependants. Site owners may require additional waivers.