Camp U of T Mississauga returns to campus for a summer of fun and learning
With the warm summer sun came a proliferation of bright yellow t-shirts on campus, their exuberant wearers looking far too young to be U of T Mississauga students.
Camp U of T Mississauga returned after a pause due to the pandemic, and the campus played host all summer to campers aged four to 16 – usually wearing their signature golden shirts – taking part in a variety of camps that address a diversity of interests and child development.
“We’ve been so excited this summer for the return of our camp programs,” says Renu Kanga Fonseca, director of strategy and sport wellness at UTM’s Recreation, Athletics & Wellness Centre. “These past months we’ve welcomed hundreds of kids to the RAWC and it’s been such a pleasure to see them enjoy the facilities and resources we have to offer here on campus.”
While the RAWC is the home base, campers also participate in programming elsewhere on campus including the Forensic House and the outdoor fields and courts. Some weeks include field trips to off-campus locations for activities such as bowling and rock climbing.
Many of the camp leaders are UTM students. “This is a great opportunity for our students in terms of employment,” says Andrea Carter, UTM assistant dean, student wellness, support & success. “We couldn’t ask for better ambassadors than our students. As camp leaders they provide a positive impact for these young campers, many who have missed the connections and fun opportunities that camp brings."
Isabella, 5, is among the youngest cohort of campers. As part of the Mini Adventure Camp, Isabella participated in play-based learning centred around a weekly educational theme. That might include crafts, games and other activities. Isabella rattled off the names of her camp leaders who supervise her and her friends throughout the camp day. Later she grabs the hand of a camp leader to play a boisterous round of “What time is it Mr. Wolf?” Isabella particularly enjoys lunch, which is provided by UTM Hospitality and Ancillary Services. “There’s like, so much!” she says of the culinary options.
Vihaan, age 6, is also a fan of lunch, as well as snack times. The Grade 1 student took part in Camp U of T Mississauga earlier in the summer and was back for another week. A favourite activity: playing “Simon Says” and other games before home time in the main RAWC gym with his friends.
Vihaan would like to be an engineer when he grows up and is especially interested in the arts and crafts projects: “We made a hot-air balloon yesterday!”
Five-year-old Patrick, a fellow Mini Adventurer, also lists eating among his favourite camp activities. It’s second only to “free time,” where he can make up games and race his friends around the gym.
Over on the outdoor tennis courts, a group of racquet campers are doing drills with their instructor. Racquet camp, which is for children aged 7-9 or 10-13, takes participants through the fundamentals of tennis, squash, table tennis and badminton. “I really like badminton,” says Raquet camper Meera. “Just yesterday one of my camp leaders helped me just one-on-one and I got a lot better at badminton.” She now wants to build on those newly acquired skills.
Meera also took part in a camp focused on forensic science. That’s what Kyle, 11, is doing over at the Forensic Crime Scene House. “Most of the day we’re learning about forensics,” he says. “Entomology, biology, all the ‘ologies.’ It’s pretty cool.”
Plus: “They taught us how to map a crime scene.”
The introductory forensics camp, which is for children aged 9-11, and the advanced version for ages 10-13 both have a fitness component.
“We have some breaks in the day to play basketball, octopus, freeze tag or anything.”
And after a long day of crime scene mapping, Kyle likes to hit the RAWC pool. “They’ve got inflatable tubes, you can just chill or swim – it's fun!”