Educational Camps

Take Debate Camp Canada, for example. While academically driven, the Muskoka-based camp mixes in more traditional camp activities such as swimming, campfires and games. "A large number of our campers are looking for an away-from-home experience that is definitely summer but still educational," says Nick Szymanis, director of Debate Camp Canada. The overnight camp also provides an outlet for more intellectual kids to interact without inhibition. "Often these academic kids are keeping some of their skills quiet because it may not be considered cool," says Szymanis.

Rayna, 17, signed up for Debate Camp last summer to sharpen her skills before representing her school at an international debating competition in Boston last fall. She had joined her school's debate team in January and felt she had some catching up to do. "I learned a lot by watching the others—they are the best debaters around—so I have a better idea of what I'll be coming up against in Boston," Rayna says. "I definitely do feel more prepared."

At camp, Rayna learned different types of debating, including the British Parliamentary style, and practised cross-examination, case construction and rebuttals. She most enjoyed the world issues seminars, where campers discussed current events.

Szymanis says Rayna wasn't the only camper preparing for a competition. "We get a ton of kids coming because they think it will give them a competitive edge," he says. "We also get another contingent who have an intellectual streak and want to improve their ability to speak confidently."

There are also many educational day camps, such as Artech Camp, which will offer one-week sessions in Ottawa and Toronto as well as Halifax, Nova Scotia. "All of the camps have an art component and a technology component," says Ronnie Scullion, director of Artech Camp. Children can sign up for different programs, including camps focused on building robots, designing video games and animation, computer programming, claymation or flash animation. The programs teach campers how to use technology more creatively.

Noah, 9, signed up for the video-game design course because he loves to play the games when they're done. "I like the platform games — you get to create ways for your character to bounce off the walls," he says.

Artech's instructors are mostly university computer science students. Trained in art and technology, instructors guide campers through more art-driven tasks, such as illustrating models of their robots and executing the designs using technology. Between building robots, designing video games or animating short films, the campers go swimming and play outdoor games. At week's end, campers present their creations to parents and friends.

Photo: Artech Summer Camps (by Fred Chartrand)

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