The Souris Valley Museum wrapped up a vibrant summer filled with themed camps and community engagement. From July 2 to August 22, over 200 children aged 3 to 12 participated in eight weeks of creative programming. Themes like Mission Impossible, Amazing Pioneer Race, Camp Olympics, and Christmas in July kept kids entertained with crafts, games, scavenger hunts, and outdoor activities.
Museum Director Melanie Memory credited her team of summer students for the success of the camps. “We had three students this year,” she explained. “Two were university students through the Young Canada Works grant, and one was a high school student funded by the Community Initiatives Fund.” The museum starts planning early, often in December, to secure grants and develop camp themes. Once hired in May, the lead student takes charge of designing activities.
This year, education student Hannah brought fresh energy and creativity to the program. “She came up with some really neat ideas,” Melanie said. “Simple things like making cup phones, churning butter, and even homemade ice cream were a hit. Some kids had never done that before; they didn’t know you could make butter at home!” While a few campers were disappointed the ice cream wasn’t from Dairy Queen, most loved the hands-on experience.
The museum also welcomed tourists throughout the summer, thanks to its location along the highway and its eye-catching mining equipment. The historic schoolhouse and the museum’s exhibits continue to be a draw for families and travelers alike.
But beyond summer fun, the museum is focused on preserving a vital piece of Estevan’s coal mining heritage, the ALCO locomotive. Built in 1944 and used in local mines until 1993, the locomotive now sits outside the museum, weathered and in need of restoration. The museum has raised around $38,000 of the $50,000 needed to restore it properly. With repairs, repainting, and new decals planned to ensure it lasts another 30 years.
Melanie emphasized the locomotive’s deep ties to the community: “Coal touched every family in this community in some way. We don’t want to let it go.” She added that while some fundraisers have been more successful than others, the museum still hopes for stronger community support to avoid seeing the locomotive scrapped.
As summer winds down, the museum is gearing up for fall programming. They’ll be at Estevan’s Citywide registration night, where families can sign up for preschool programs and no-school-day activities, some of which are already full.
To support the locomotive restoration or learn more about upcoming programs, visit the Souris Valley Museum website.