1. Summer Camps
1.1 Who can attend ArtsCalibre Academy's Summer Camps?
1.2 Where will the camps take place?
1.3 What camps will be offered, and when?
1.4 How much do the camps cost?
1.5 Is there a limit to the number of camps I can register each child for?
1.6 In what kind of activities will my child participate?
1.7 What about lunches and snacks?
1.8 Are there any field trips in your camps?
1.9 Can my child arrive after 9:00 AM or leave before 3:00 PM on any day?
1.10 Does my child need to attend every day of their camp(s), or can they attend for only part of the time?
1.11 What if my child does not want to participate in camp activities?
1.12 What items should I send with my child each day?
1.13 Are there items that children should NOT bring to the camps?
1.14 Can anyone pick up my child?
1.15 What does supervision at your camps look like?
1.16 Can you tell me a bit more about each camp?
1.17 I have one or more other questions that are not answered here. Who can I contact?
Answers
1.1 Who can attend ArtsCalibre Academy's Summer Camps?
We offer 9 highly engaging, Standard (non-technical) camps as well as 2 LEGO Robotics (technical) camps, for children in various age groups throughout the Summer. See FAQ #1.3 below for details, including its Available Camps section.
All (younger) children registered in our camps must be able to use the toilet independently.
1.2 Where will the camps take place?
Camps will operate out of one of our two Cadboro Bay neighbourhood campuses
(a "stone's throw" from each other) at:
- Our Elementary School at 2625 Arbutus Road, OR
- Our Middle/Secondary School at 3909 St. George's Lane.
Families will receive an email one week prior to the start of each registered camp, containing important information including its assigned location.
1.3 What camps will be offered, and when?
7 weeks of camps will be offered from July 8th through August 23rd, 2024.
All camps are divided into two age groups — 4 to 5 and 6 to 8 — except for the **-marked camps below whose unique age groups are shown. The LEGO Robotics camps are facilitiated by the robotics/programming specialists at Littluniverse.
Available Camps:
- Week 1: July 8th to 12th (5 days): Superhero: Action and Adventure
- Week 2: July 15th to 19th (5 days): Magic and Potions! Experiments and Exploring Magic
- Week 3: July 22nd to 26th (5 days):
- Crazy Cartooning & Illustration (Ages 9 to 12 ONLY**)
- Nature is Calling: Bugs, Insects and the Great Outdoors!
- Week 4: July 29th to August 2nd (5 days):
- Drawing, Painting & Creative Drama (Ages 9 to 12 ONLY**)
- LEGO Robotics and Science 1: Formula 1 Race Car Edition (Ages 9 to 14 ONLY**)
- Under the Sea: Creatures, Animals and More!
- Week 5: August 6th to 9th (4 days): Movin' and Groovin': Music, Dance and Art
- Week 6: August 12th to 16th (5 days): Out of this World: Outer Space
- Week 7: August 19th to 23rd (5 days):
- Oh, the Places You Will Go!
- LEGO Robotics and Science 2: Battlebots Edition (Ages 6 to 9 ONLY**)
Need a bit more information on each camp? See FAQ #1.16 below.
Camp Times:
All camps will run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily -- except our two LEGO Robotics offerings which run to 4:00 PM (one hour later).
1.4 How much do the camps cost?
Total per-child price for each weekly camp (no taxes added):
- Standard (non-technical) camps:
- 4-day camp (Movin' and Groovin': Music, Dance and Art): $220.00
- 5-day camps (all others): $275.00
- LEGO Robotics (technical) 5-day camps:
- LEGO Robotics and Science 1: Formula 1 Race Car Edition: $400.00
- LEGO Robotics and Science 2: Battlebots Edition : $385.00
Please note that the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care's Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB) program cannot be applied to our Summer Camps, nor can its Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI). However, child care tax receipts for camp fees may be requested (by email to payments@artscalibre.ca) following completion of your registered camp(s).
1.5 Is there a limit to the number of camps I can register each child for?
No — you may register each child in any number of our camps that are age-appropriate...from one to all of them!
Under the Available Camps section above, for the 3 weeks which offer multiple camps — obviously, you may choose only one of these camps for each child. ;)
1.6 In what kind of activities will my child participate?
We continually strive to provide a fun and safe environment for all participants. In our Standard (non-technical) camps, children will be able to participate in a wide variety of group and individual activities. Typical examples include arts and crafts, group games, music, dancing, Lego building, theatre, mindfulness, outdoor play and more.
Looking for something very "techno-cool"? Check out our two LEGO Robotics offerings in the Available Camps section above!
For our Standard camps, nearby outdoor options include Maynard Park (across the street from our Middle/Secondary School campus), Cadboro-Gyro Park and Beach (a 5-minute walk away), and Mystic Vale (a 15-minute walk). There will be no shortage of adventure, creativity...and rest as needed. :)
1.7 What about lunches and snacks?
Our camps do not provide lunches or snacks for participants. Instead, we ask that you send each child to camp with a NUT-FREE lunch and morning/afternoon snacks every day. There's no one better to ensure that they get what they need and enjoy!
We do provide bottled spring water throughout each day.
Even though you are providing their food — while completing their camp registration forms, please ensure that you clearly specify your children's allergies and dietary restrictions when prompted.
1.8 Are there any field trips in your camps?
There sure are! See our response under In what kind of activities will my child participate? above.
1.9 Can my child arrive after 9:00 AM or leave before 3:00 PM on any day?
Yes — children may be dropped off or picked up at any time during these camp hours -- provided this is communicated beforehand to our Summer Camps staff. This will ensure that child check-in and check-out go smoothly, minimizing disruptions for staff and other campers.
However — for our LEGO Robotics (technical) camps, significantly reduced hours are not recommended, since it may be very challenging for children who miss too much time at the camp to keep pace with the amazing projects that will be undertaken.
Upcoming email communications will let you know exactly how to contact us each day.
1.10 Does my child need to attend every day of their camp(s), or can they attend for only part of the time?
They don't — part-time attendance at our Standard (non-technical) camps is fine.
However — for our LEGO Robotics (technical) camps this is not recommended, since it may be very challenging for children who miss too much time at the camp to keep pace with the amazing projects that will be undertaken.
Although part-time attendance is permitted, please NOTE that all camp registrations are for the whole camp, whose entire fee (for their 4- or 5-day duration) must be paid. We cannot offer camps on a per-day (prorated) basis.
1.11 What if my child does not want to participate in camp activities?
We strive to make all camp activities inviting and engaging — encouraging children to explore each week's theme and meet new friends, while accommodating their individual interests and preferences as much as possible.
Although a child's unwillingness to participate in a given activity is normal and can be accommodated — if it is significant, our staff will reach out to the child's caregiver(s) to discuss possible solutions.
1.12 What items should I send with my child each day?
Here's what your child will need to bring each day:
- A NUT-FREE lunch and 1-2 snacks (morning and/or afternoon)
- A water bottle, filled to start the day (ArtsCalibre will provide additional spring water afterward)
- "Sun-safe" items (e.g. sunscreen, hat, sunglasses)
- A sweater/hoodie
- A change of clothes
- Extra clothes for inclement weather (e.g. rain jacket/gear, boots)
- Sturdy footwear appropriate for playing!
A backpack is ideal for carrying these items.
Finally, we kindly ask caregivers to label all of their child's items, to help ensure their safe return if misplaced!
1.13 Are there items that children should NOT bring to the camps?
Yes — these include:
- Toys (including dolls/stuffed animals); and
- Technology and other valuables.
1.14 Can anyone pick up my child?
Children must always be dropped off and picked up by an authorized adult, and checked in/out by our Summer Camps staff to ensure everyone's security and safety.
During your online enrollment, within the Summer Camps Registration Step 2 form the Emergency Contact(s) that you specify should also be authorized for drop off and pick up your children. You can authorize additional (or alternate) individuals for drop off/pick up by emailing our staff at summercamps@artscalibre.ca.
1.15 What does supervision at your camps look like?
Every member of our Summer Camps staff will have:
- Standard First Aid - CPR Level C certification; and
- A clear Criminal Record Check (CRC) specifically for working with children.
Children under our care will always be supervised, with a minimum adult-to-child ratio of 1:12. One Camp Leader will supervise each group of 12 children with the assistance of volunteer support worker.
We adhere to a strict check-in/check-out process to ensure the safety of all participants.
Our Camp Manager is an experienced member of ArtsCalibre Academy's Administrative Team, and will be available as a "floating" supervisor throughout each day.
1.16 Can you tell me a bit more about each camp?
Certainly! Here are a few details about each of our 11 camps, which are listed alphabetically.
All camps are offered for age groups 4 to 5 and 6 to 8— unless otherwise noted below:
- Crazy Cartooning & Illustration (Ages 9 to 12 ONLY)
- Do you love drawing cartoons, creating storyboards and characters, and painting backgrounds? Students will gain experience planning, promoting and exhibiting their work in an art show on the final day of class.
- Drawing, Painting & Creative Drama (Ages 9 to 12 ONLY)
- Here’s your chance to take center stage! Have fun with acting and theatre games. Design your own papier-mâché costume, paint the backdrop, create your own set design...and have fun acting! Final performance on the last day.
- LEGO Robotics and Science 1: Formula 1 Race Car Edition (Ages 9 to 14 ONLY)
- Let’s get ready to rumble! Join our Littluniverse team for an exciting week of LEGO, CODING and SCIENCE! With a teammate, dive into the world of engineering using LEGO’s MINDSTORMS EV3 sets and software. No experience? No worries! Learn the basics of coding on DAY 1! Choose from a huge library of awesome builds! At the end of the week, teams will build and program Race Cars for a fun tournament! Take home a science experience everyday! There’s something for everyone with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities. We also have game consoles, air hockey, foosball, arts/crafts, board games and MORE! Participants will get their own Littluniverse camp t-shirt!
- LEGO Robotics and Science 2: Battlebots Edition (Ages 6 to 9 ONLY)
- Tickets please! Join our Littluniverse team for an exciting week of LEGO, CODING and SCIENCE! With a teammate, dive into the world of engineering using LEGO’s Spike Essential sets and software. No experience? No worries! Learn the basics of coding on DAY 1! Choose from a library of awesome builds, from easy to difficult! At the end of the week, teams will build and program one HUGE Theme Park by combining all our sets! Take home a science experience everyday! There’s something for everyone with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities. We also have game consoles, air hockey, foosball, arts/crafts, board games and MORE! Participants will get their own Littluniverse camp t-shirt!
- Magic and Potions! Experiments and Exploring Magic
- Dive into the world of magic and potions, where young wizards conduct experiments, explore mystical realms, and discover the wonders of enchantment.
- Movin' and Groovin': Music, Dance and Art
- Prepare to dance, sing and create — as we express ourselves through music, movement and artistic exploration.
- Nature is Calling: Bugs, Insects and the Great Outdoors!
- Venture into the great outdoors to uncover the fascinating world of bugs, insects and other wonders of nature.
- Oh, the Places You Will Go!
- Embark on a voyage of discovery and adventure — as we set out to explore new horizons, and embrace the endless possibilities that await us!
- Out of this World: Outer Space
- Blast off on an intergalactic journey to explore the mysteries of outer space, from distant planets to shining stars.
- Superhero: Action and Adventure
- Unleash your "inner superhero" as we embark on thrilling adventures, and conquer challenges filled with action and excitement!
- Under the Sea: Creatures, Animals and More!
- Explore the mysteries of the ocean depths, as we dive beneath the waves to encounter marine life and unravel the secrets of the underwater world.
1.17 I have one or more other questions that are not answered here. Who can I contact?
Email us at summercamps@artscalibre.ca — and a qualified member of our team will respond to you as soon as possible.