CSP celebrates 15 years of supporting students through Spring Break camps

Spring Break camps are in full swing this year, with the district's Community-Schools Partnership department continuing 15 years of supporting students with engaging and fun educational activities over the two-week break.

For the past 15 years, the district’s Community-Schools Partnership (CSP) department has provided Spring Break camps for students of all ages, thanks to ongoing relationships with community partners that support families who need it over the two-week gap.

Spring Break camps offer students opportunities to learn, be intentional in play and activity, develop relationships with peers and be cared for by positive adult role models. The camps offer a wide range of activities, from outdoor land-based learning to sports to safe and inclusive educational programs.

“Our CSP staff and partners provide a safe and structured environments where children can socialize, learn new skills and make memories, while giving parents the peace of mind they need to focus on their day-to-day tasks,” said CSP manager Meredith Verma. “Our camps are supported through a variety of funds and are created based on feedback from school principals and through excellent community partnerships.”

“The longevity of these partnerships speaks to the necessity of these camps, to continue to offer support, activity, positive connections with peers and role models,” said CSP assistant manager James Speidel. “By providing these opportunities, it gives students a chance to try something that they don’t have in a fun, safe environment that really intentionally connects with youth.”

All of CSP’s camps are focused on Community-Schools Partnership’s Intended impacts and the district’s strategic goals to:

• provide rich learning experiences that promote inclusivity, confidence and care for self and others;
• provide out of school opportunities to bolster student’s social emotional learning, resiliency and physical literacy; and
• utilize schools as spaces of collaborative partnerships to enhance learning.

This year, CSP is offering the following camps to students over Spring Break:

• DREAM Camp: DREAM (Drama, Recreation, Enrichment, Art and Music) is a one-week camp offering students the opportunity to participate in learning, enrichment and recreational activities that are interesting and exciting. At no cost to students, DREAM camp is organized by CSP in collaboration with schools and community partners.
• Arts Umbrella Camp: Run in collaboration and partnership with Arts Umbrella staff, this camp will provide arts-based learning opportunities for participants through drama, theatre and visual arts. Arts Umbrella is a long-standing partner with CSP and their camps and programs continue to offer valuable learning to all students.
• Klinik Camp: In this weeklong basketball camp run by our community partner, Klinik, two coaches teach participants basketball fundamentals, promoting physical literacy and fostering love for the sport.
• Science AL!VE: The first week of Science AL!VE is focused on in-class learning provided by SFU volunteers from the Faculty of Applied Sciences and CSP staff. Participants are provided a variety of quality learning opportunities that focus on STEAM curriculum, engaged through hands-on science experiments. Along with continuing on in dynamic learning, the second week provides students with opportunities to go on various field trips to places such as the Vancouver Zoo and Science World.
• Game Ready: This multisport camp runs in collaboration with Game Ready and CSP staff, and is focused on fundamental movement skills, physical literacy and other themes related to sports, including teamwork, confidence, discipline and resilience.
• Windspeaker: Windspeaker is a weeklong camp for Indigenous secondary students providing employment readiness skills. Contracted community partners come in to provide certifications to build their resumé and provide them valuable trainings for future employment. Trainings and certifications include Principles of Healthy Child Development (High 5), First Aid, Food Safe and World Host (customer service). This program is supported by CSP staff and generously funded through Indigenous Learning.

Many Spring Break camps, as well as summer camp initiatives, are supported by donors to the district, and Surrey Schools is continuously grateful for the generosity of our donors who make these camps possible.

“Spring break camps are such an important opportunity for students to grow, connect and explore beyond the classroom, fostering creativity and resilience,” said Vanessa Seco, manager of Major Gifts & Endowments with Business Development. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received so far, and as we look to summer, securing funding for these camps will allow us to continue offering these enriching experiences that inspire our students.”

Surrey Schools accepts donations to support spring break and summer camps, and welcomes contributions from individuals, companies, corporations, businesses and foundations.

Donations can be made online and by email (donations@surreyschools.ca), mail, fax, phone and automatic bank debit. Surrey Schools is a registered Canadian Charity with the Canada Revenue Agency and provides tax receipts for cash donations over $20.

To donate online or learn about other ways to contribute, visit the Ways to Give page. For more information, please email donations@surreyschools.ca.