(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 $75. 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 first Saturday of the month from October-June. The meetings are normally held at the Royal Ontario Museum, but may also be at other locations on some months. You can see the location details on the “Coming Events” page or in the monthly newsletter.

Our field trips include trips to quarries, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo 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 October.

  • 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.

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 Closed for the 2024/25 season

The YTMC has room for about 40 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 starting in October.

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

Here are some FAQs and answers:

  • Our year runs from October-June.

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

  • Meetings are generally held at the Royal Ontario Museum, usually on the first Saturday of the month (October-June).

  • For meetings that occur at the ROM, guests are welcome to stay in the public galleries until close

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

  • 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.