Scrapbook images of campers from creative encounters in 2000

Creative Encounters History

Young creative encounters displaying their crafts in 1993

In 2025, Creative Encounters turned 30!

Creative Encounters, formerly Creative Encounters with Science, has a rich legacy rooted in hands-on STEM outreach:

1993 – The program began under the name Emagineering, launching its first summer programs and community clubs focused on creative engineering challenges for youth.
1995 – Emagineering officially rebranded and became known as Creative Encounters with Science, expanding programming and outreach across Guelph and nearby communities.
1998 – Creative Encounters introduced the P.A.G.E.S. (Promoting Awareness of Girls in Engineering and Science) program. The initiative creates dedicated STEM programming for girls and nonbinary youth in supportive, allgenders-inclusive settings.

Two Creative Encounters campers build a structure from popsicle sticks

Our Growth to Date

Over the years, the organization expanded its reach further:

Hosting summer camps, school and library workshops, after-school clubs, and dedicated Indigenous programming.
Housed in College of Engineering and College of Computational, Mathematical and Physical Science at the University of Guelph, Creative Encounters is part of Actua, Canada’s national STEM outreach network.
Dropping the “with Science” to reflect Creative Encounters’ engagement in all areas of STEM, including technology, engineering and mathematics.
Including Indigenous outreach (InSTEM), digital literacy and computer science skill-building, and focused efforts to reach under-represented youth.
Now supporting STEM Girl initiatives through workshops at Go ENG Girl, Go PHYS Girl, and Go CODE Girl, in collaboration with the Women in Engineering Chair at the University of Guelph.

As of summer 2025, Creative Encounters marked its 30th season, engaging close to 5,000 students annually through summer camp, in-school, and community workshops.

In 2025, Creative Encounters turned 30!

Creative Encounters, formerly Creative Encounters with Science, has a rich legacy rooted in hands-on STEM outreach:

1993 – The program began under the name Emagineering, launching its first summer programs and community clubs focused on creative engineering challenges for youth.
1995 – Emagineering officially rebranded and became known as Creative Encounters with Science, expanding programming and outreach across Guelph and nearby communities.
1998 – Creative Encounters introduced the P.A.G.E.S. (Promoting Awareness of Girls in Engineering and Science) program. The initiative creates dedicated STEM programming for girls and nonbinary youth in supportive, allgenders-inclusive settings.

Our Growth to Date

Over the years, the organization expanded its reach further:

Hosting summer camps, school and library workshops, after-school clubs, and dedicated Indigenous programming.
Housed in College of Engineering and College of Computational, Mathematical and Physical Science at the University of Guelph, Creative Encounters is part of Actua, Canada’s national STEM outreach network.
Dropping the “with Science” to reflect Creative Encounters’ engagement in all areas of STEM, including technology, engineering and mathematics.
Including Indigenous outreach (InSTEM), digital literacy and computer science skill-building, and focused efforts to reach under-represented youth.
Now supporting STEM Girl initiatives through workshops at Go ENG Girl, Go PHYS Girl, and Go CODE Girl, in collaboration with the Women in Engineering Chair at the University of Guelph.

As of summer 2025, Creative Encounters marked its 30th season, engaging close to 5,000 students annually through summer camp, in-school, and community workshops.