WE ARE MOVING THIS SUMMER!
We have recently been notified that our current location at Parkminster United Church will no longer be available to us as a summer camp location. The church is in the process of taking on an exclusive long-term tenant in the basement.
We have been assured that space at Parkminster United will be available to us until the end of the current school year which will include our upcoming 2024 March Break camp and two remaining PD Days in April and May.
NEW LOCATION ANNOUNCED
We have made a partnership with KW Montessori School which is just 3 minutes down the road! We are thrilled to be moving into this new space to run our 2024 summer program. It features beautiful bright classrooms and a large fenced in yard. There is ample parking and easy access to the highway. Please note, this building is not wheel chair accessible.
Address: 527 Bridgeport Rd E, Kitchener, ON N2K 1N6
Summer 2024 Program
Our theme this summer will be :
the Elements: Earth, water, Wind & Fire
Each day campers are introduced to a new hands-on skill through our small group lessons. In addition to their daily projects, students will engage in the creation of a week-long project that they can return to each day during our Open Build period. We conclude the week with a very special celebration and a Show & Tell Open House for friends and family to come see what we got up to during the week!
Mini Makers: ages 5-6
This program is modeled after our original camp program with some thoughtful modifications to better suit the needs of our younger students like shorter craft sessions, story time, outdoor play and collaborative group projects.
Our youngest eligible campers must have 1 year of kindergarten experience before coming to camp this summer.
Break times will take place at the same time camp wide. Siblings and friends in different groups can play together at these times of the day.
Each week we welcome a class of 12 students maximum per session. There will be 2 instructors leading the class and we will enjoy having the additional helping hands of our volunteers throughout the week as well.
Classic Camp: ages 7-13
This age group is comprised of 30 students that we split into smaller groups of 15. New for 2024, we will be dividing our Classics groups based on age into Junior and Senior classes so that we can modify our lessons to better accommodate the different skill levels in this varied age group.
Campers attending with friends or family can request group assignments to ensure a fun experience for all!
Each camper group will enjoy the use of our outdoor and indoor classroom spaces to work on their art projects while being guided by two of our expert art instructors.
In this camp we challenge each of our students to work to their potential as we explore various art making mediums throughout the week. We have been so impressed with the work our students make at camp. It is a joy to create together!
To be eligible for this camp, students must be 7 or entering grade 2 this fall, September 2024.
This summer our lessons will include a variety of projects including:
Book Binding
Dyeing our camp shirts using natural colouring methods
Fibre art sewing project
Felting with sheep’s wool
Computer skills for 3D Modelling
Clay + Plaster sculpture work
Cardboarding
Nature weaving
Printmaking
Projects are open to modifications based on the student's interest. Our end goal is to teach how a tool or process works and help you make something awesome with your newly learned skills!
For our short weeks some of these activities will be omitted.
Leadership Camp: ages 14-16
We are looking forward offering our Leadership Camp training week again this summer. This program is designed specifically for our 14-16 year old students. The youngest eligible campers must be entering grade 9 in the fall of 2024.
The goal with this program is to transition our students from being a camper themselves, to being in a position of camp leadership. Our program is designed for our students to gain practical experience using their hands, hearts and minds to become engaged and effective leaders in our maker camp community ecosystem. Leadership camp is a wonderful opportunity for learning to work together as a team, working in service to others, building confidence in oneself, practicing hands on maker skills, and most importantly just having a fun time at maker camp!
Leadership Camp will only be offered during our 2nd week (Session 2: July 8-12) this summer.
After completing this program once, students are then eligible to return as volunteers for any number of weeks in the same summer or subsequent summers.
Volunteers will be booked into available weeks based on preference marked on their registration form, or by request. We have 3 volunteer spots open per session this summer.
We do not accept volunteers who have not been trained through our program.
AGE groups:
Mini Makers Camp : ages 5 - 6 (entering SK - Grade 1 in fall of 2024).
Classic Camp : ages 7 - 13 (entering grade 2 - 8 in fall of 2024).
Leadership Camp: ages 14 - 16 (entering grades 9 - 11 in fall of 2024).
COST:
Full week: $349 plus HST
Short week: $289 plus HST
All materials are included in our camp price.
DISCOUNTS:
For families with 3 or more children (from the same household) we are able offer a small discount on your registration.
If you'd like to attend a 2nd week of summer camp, we will offer a small discount for families with 2 or more children.
If you are eligible, we ask that you please contact us and let us know which weeks you'd like to register for, so we can quote you with proper discount code to enter at the checkout before completing your registration online.
SESSIONS:
We offer one-week camp sessions which will be running over eight consecutive weeks this summer.
Our class lessons will repeat weekly. Campers are always welcome back to keep practicing their maker skills.
Please note, we are not able to offer single day registrations for our summer programs.
*During short weeks, some camp activities will be omitted.
Session 1: July 2 - 5 (short week)*
Session 2: July 8 - 12
Session 3: July 15 - 19
Session 4: July 22 - 26
Session 5: July 29 - August 2
Session 6: August 6 - 9 (short week)*
Session 7: August 12 - 16
Session 8: August 19 - 22 (short week with Friday field trip optional)*
PLEASE NOTE:
Session 8 will only run Monday-Thursday because our location needs to have their floors waxed on Friday, August 23rd to prepare for the new school year. For families who need care on the Friday, we are looking to organize a field trip to somewhere in KW. We will collect an additional fee (TBD) separate from our camp rate. Once we know our trip destination, we will reach out to registrants for this week to gauge interest and to let them know what the additional cost will be to attend the field trip day.
We are unable to offer a Week 9 session this year because our new location is a school and needs this time to prepare for the return of their students. Thanks for your understanding.
Friday FAMILY SHOW & TELL:
On the Friday of each week, families and friends are invited to join us for an informal Show & Tell Open House between 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm. Campers will have this opportunity to show off what they made over the week.
TIME:
Camp runs 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Drop-off starts at 8:45 am, and pick up is until 4:30 pm.
EXTENDED CARE:
If you require additional child care outside of these times, we will offer before and after care for a small additional fee. AM care will begin at 8:00 am, PM care runs til 5:30 pm. If you require care outside of these hours, please get in touch and we can work something out.
LOCATION:
KW Montessori School
527 Bridgeport Rd E, Kitchener, ON N2K 1N6
See our location page for more details.
WHAT TO BRING:
We will be taking two nutrition breaks during the day to eat and spend time outdoors and playing games, weather permitting.
Campers should come with:
Water bottle
Nut-free lunch and snacks
Appropriate clothes for the weather each day (having some rain gear is recommended, as some of our activities will still run outdoors under tents if there is rain).
Please come to camp already wearing sunscreen if desired. Our staff will not be applying sunscreen unless parents have made arrangements with our Camp Director. We recommend bringing clothing to cover up arms, legs and heads!
Please wear clothing that can get stained. Some of our art activities can get messy!
Please DO NOT bring electronics (phones, tablets, gaming devices) to camp. If your child has one for emergency use it must be kept in their backpack and not used during camp time. We will not he held responsible for lost or damaged property.
health & safety:
Masks are no longer required, but are still encouraged as we will be working in close proximity with each other.
If your child is experiencing symptoms of any illness, please keep them home to rest. You may transfer your registration to a Camp Credit which can be used for a future camp program or in our online store.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
If you need to cancel your registration please contact agnes@mindfulmakers.ca as soon as possible.
Upon cancellation the following penalties will apply:
For other cancellations:
anytime after registration and up to 3 weeks before your session start date: a full refund minus a $35 + HST admin fee will be issued.
anytime after registration and less than 3 weeks before the session start date: a full refund minus $75 + HST admin fee will be issued.
Sorry, no refunds can be issued once camp has begun
Switching Sessions: If you would simply like to be moved into another available session rather than cancelling, we are happy to make this accommodation, free of charge.
