Participants are instructed by a professional astronomer on how to find their way about the nighttime sky. We begin with direction finding and then proceed to learning about constellations and the wonders they contain. Plenty of time is available for asking questions and receiving detailed answers.
To request a reservation, please see the scout/guide tour bookings information at the bottom of this page. (All tours must be requested in advance.)
Fast facts:
The fee is $5 per scout/guide. Leaders are generally free (at a rate of one leader per 10 scouts/guides). Please ensure that there is adequate supervision for your group.
We generally require that a minimum of 30 scouts/guides be scheduled at any particular tour. If your group is much smaller than this minimum, we suggest that you seek out another group at a similar level in order to attend jointly. We can handle a maximum of 75 people (scouts/guides+leaders) during any one tour.
If the "STATUS" info in the calendar below shows there is adequate space left (i.e.- "seats available") for your group, you are welcome to request seating at a tour already requested by another group, provided your group is at the same level as those already scheduled.
We require a minimum deposit of $150 be paid at least 1 week prior to your tour and the balance is due on the day of your tour. Payment must be made by cash or by cheque made out to the "University of Toronto". We cannot accept credit cards or Interac payments.
Please note that tours run rain-or-shine. In the event that weather conditions make travel exceedingly difficult or dangerous, or if some other unforeseen circumstance causes you to miss your tour, we will gladly return your deposit in full. But failure to notify us of a voluntary cancellation at least two weeks prior to your scheduled tour may result in the forfieture of the minimum deposit. We generally allow you to change your reservation to another open date at no extra charge if you give us two-weeks notice. Please call us as soon as you are aware of any problem with keeping your scheduled appointment at (905) 884-9562 x232 or via e-mail to "tours@astro.utoronto.ca" (using 'Scout Tour Reservation Problem' in the Subject line).
Regrettably, there is no wheelchair access to any of the buildings or facilities at the Observatory.
Referring to the calendar and/or schedule, please make sure your requested date is still available. Although we try to keep the schedule current, we recommend providing an alternate date in case your requested date has already been taken.
Reservations can be made in a number of ways, preferably with at least one week's notice. Please include the desired tour date, an accurate count of how many scouts/guides and leaders will attend (...error on the high side), as well as the name, daytime phone number and e-mail address for the principle contact person representing your group. Our staff have commitments at several campuses, so a delay in response of 2-3 days is common.
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