Community-Schools Partnership supports students through Spring Break camps

A number of Spring Break camps organized by the district's Community-Schools Partnership department supported Surrey and White Rock students over the two-week gap, providing opportunities for activities, sports, arts and more.

The district’s Community-Schools Partnership (CSP) department continues to support students of all ages over Spring Break with engaging camps, made possible through 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.

“CSP staff and partners create safe, structured spaces where children can connect with others, build new skills and create lasting memories, all while giving parents confidence and peace of mind as they manage their daily responsibilities,” said James Speidel, assistant manager of CSP. “These camps are made possible by our strong community partnerships and are thoughtfully designed based on input from school principals.

“The long-standing nature of these collaborations highlights the ongoing need for these programs, which give students the opportunity to explore new interests in a fun, supportive environment that is intentionally designed to engage and inspire 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.
• Yo-Bro / Yo-Girl: YBYG is a mixed-martial arts program that gives at-risk youth the tools to achieve their full potential and work with positive role models while avoiding negative behaviors. While typically offered as an after-school program, CSP helped organize three YBYG camps this spring break.
• 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.

Additionally this year, the district’s Feeding Futures program also provided lunch to many of these initiatives.

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.

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.