Green Acres Art Centre (GAAC) hosted an action-packed spring break camp for ten youth in Teulon from March 25 to 28. Students did arts and crafts, played games, and explored the outdoors. The camp gave campers a sneak peek at the upcoming Access Credit Union Summer Funtastics camps, which will take place over six weeks in July and August.
GAAC president Lana Knor was excited to offer the four-day camp for the first time. The children from the community met up daily at the Teulon United Church.
GAAC partnered with the church, and Knor said they were fortunate to offer most of the programming in the newly renovated basement.
“It is an incredible space. It is so cool seeing the kids be excited when they enter the room,” said Knor. She explained that the basement is a big open space. Students can run, watch movies on the projector or play on the Xbox. There are new carpets, comfy chairs, freshly painted walls and bright lights. This makes the basement an ideal location to host GAAC programming. The centre also has 5,000 LEGO pieces for students to play with.
“Kids love all that stuff,” Knor added. She explained that the students are always excited to return.
Over the week, the children were kept entertained. They walked to Teulon-Rockwood Green Acres Park and visited the Elementary School’s playground. They had opportunities to work hands-on with crafts and LEGO building and had time to relax and watch movies.
Knor’s goal is to get kids off the couch and use their imaginations to play. Activities at the camp are structured around what the kids want to do. Knor encouraged natural play techniques such as playing with items found outdoors instead of toys inside.
“The world is too structured,” explained Knor. She wants youth to explore and play freely without needing exact instructions.
Knor is excited for the summer and is busy getting ready for an action-packed journey.
Registration is open now for students at the Access Credit Union Summer Funtastics camp.
This is the earliest registration has opened, allowing families to make summer plans.
Children 6-12 years old have a choice of ten unique camp themes. Each week offers an Aspiring Artist camp or an Education and Exploration topic. Green Acres has a theme to suit everyone’s interests. For dancers, there are two separate weeks of Discover Your Inner Dancer camp with Miss Elena Modrzejewski and Miss Alycia Campbell. For scientists, there is a Super Science camp.
The different themes allow for exploration. Knor added that the unique topics let families sample the year-long programming that GAAC offers.
All camp dates and themes can be found on the website.
Camps will run out of Teulon Collegiate Institute, Teulon United Church and the Green Acres Art Centre. Many campers will also go on field trips. Sports Fans: Indoor Edition will take a trip to the Arborg Water Park. Participants in the Outdoor Adventures camp will visit the Assiniboine Zoo.
Field trip dates and locations are in the camp theme descriptions online.
Certain weeks will also feature special guests. Engineering for Kids STEM Winnipeg will join campers during S.T.E.A.M. Camp week.
Knor is excited for S.T.E.A.M. Camp.
“It provides kids with the opportunity to put art into the science,” said Knor. She explained that S.T.E.A.M. allows students to focus on the design aspect of the science, technology, and mathematics fields.
“This camp will be very different from the science camp and acts as a great introduction into S.T.E.A.M.”
Knor thanks Access Credit Union for its continued funding of the summer camps.
“Access has been very supportive of Green Acres’ initiatives,” she said.
GAAC won a contest a few years ago through Access (formerly Sunova) Credit Union, granting them $20,000. The funds were used to purchase supplies for their programming, including musical instruments and craft items. Access has continued to provide grants each year to help support the centre’s costs.
The Manitoba Métis Federation also supports GAAC and it’s Métis participants with different grants and funding.
Knor encourages Métis families to apply for camp funding through the Manitoba Métis Federation. The federation provides up to $350 per child.
Funding through Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart is also available.
Applications for funding support is found online at each organization’s website.
Camps run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m., and pick-up is by 4:30 p.m.
Transportation will be available for campers coming from Stonewall, Gunton and/or Balmoral for $50/child per week. Transportation must be arranged in advance.
Knor wants Access Credit Union Summer Funtastics camps to be accessible to all. Registration is open until June. Knor encourages families to register as soon as possible to reserve their spot.
Limited single-day camp spots will be released after week-long registrations are finalized.
All camp fees must be paid by the end of June, and payment plans are available to families.
For more information, visit greenacresartcentre.ca/camp.
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