Archive for category canadian summer camp
Would you like to meet us on Skype?
Posted by centauri in Arts Camps, canadian summer camp, Centauri Arts Camp on November 30, 2011
For new families who live within easy driving distance of Toronto, we are always willing to arrange a face to face meeting, to chat about camp. Since camp is all about people, this makes sense to us – a chance for parents and potential campers to put a face to Centauri, as well as to have all their personal questions answered. New campers who meet us in this way are able to walk into camp on the first day of their session, knowing that there will be at least one familiar face, and having had their personal doubts and fears laid to rest.
But what about families who live too far away for us to meet in person? A few days ago I met with a wonderful new camp family… in Venezuela. I was pleasantly surprised by how much we all got out of the meeting, despite the fact that it wasn’t actually ‘in person’. Using Skype, the father and mother were able to tell us more about their daughter and her interests. I was able to chat with them all about our programs, and help them decide which session and which departments might best fit their needs. They were able to raise any concerns they might have, and listened as I explained in detail how we handled airport pick-ups to ensure that no child is ever missed. It was a short meeting – maybe 25 minutes – but by the end, we all seemed to have a sense that Centauri would be an excellent fit for them.
This is the first year we have really used skype this way, but we’re finding it to be hugely successful. So, if your family is considering Centauri for the coming summer and you live too far away to meet with us in person, ask us about meeting via webcam! In fact, since so many of our families and campers live such busy lives, it occurs to me this might even be an excellent solution for local families who would like to meet with us, and can’t easily find time for us to visit them in their home.
Julie
www.centauriartscamp.com
L.I.T. Challenge, strive to prove yourself right.
Posted by centauri in canadian summer camp, Centauri Arts Camp, Centauri Summer Arts Camp., Ontario Camps on August 16, 2011
At Centauri Arts Camp, our LITs (Leaders in training) give an inspirational challenge/talk to the camp each session. In session 3, one of our LITs, Jenny, gave a great speech that we felt would be great to share…
It seems that, for most of my life, someone always wants to explain or excuse my failures. I have ADHD, so obviously I will never focus long enough to create something of my own. I have a Learning Disability, so obviously I will never succeed. I have Social Anxiety, so obviously I will never be a leader. I often wonder whether being diagnosed with something helps me accept my personality, or if it just gives me an excuse to be less than I am.
So if I could say anything to the people who doubted me, who looked down on me and made me feel unintelligent, I’d want to say… Thank-you.
Without these people, I wouldn’t have felt the need to prove myself. I would not be an LIT, speaking in front of all of you (the camp). I would not be an honours student, attending University in the fall. I would not have written a full-length novel of my own.
So the next time you feel down about yourself, I want you to think about all the things you are proud of, and I believe everyone here has a lot to be proud of. You are here, for instance, with friends, creating for something you love. You are dancers, actors, singers, writers, directors, musicians, artists. You have a passion, and that’s not something everyone can say. Never let anyone undermine you, or make you believe that you can’t be the best you that you can be.
What I want everyone to do now, is to write down something you’re proud of, and stick it on your shirt, or somewhere everyone can see. And remember, don’t strive to prove your enemies wrong; strive to prove yourself right.
Jenny, L.I.T, 2011
A thank you letter to camp we just had to share!
Posted by centauri in Arts Camps, canadian summer camp, Centauri Arts Camp, Centauri Summer Arts Camp., Ontario Camps on July 28, 2010
Thought we would share a lovely letter we just received (edited to remove names)
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Hi Craig and Julie
There’s nothing in Camper Handbooks that tell you how to deal with withdrawal from camp. There’s always advice on what to do if your child will be homesick, but nothing about the child who wants to spend the entire summer at camp. She cried all the way home, and I think that finally, today, she has turned the corner and stopped crying about missing camp.
I have never seen her so emotional. She had a fantastic time this year at Centauri, and we thank you and your staff for running such a wonderful place for arts-minded kids. She continues to talk about all the fun activities and the amazing food, and has been in touch with some of the campers via email. She loved every minute of camp and she’s already planning for next summer.
Thank you!!
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I love my job!
Session One, 2010 goes out with a BANG!
Posted by centauri in Arts Camps, canadian summer camp, Centauri Arts Camp, Centauri Summer Arts Camp. on July 20, 2010
Presentation Day was fantastic, with shows happening all over camp – stage combat (superheroes) in the rock garden, a fantastic, interactive art display in two locations, as well as the premiere of our session one films, and multiple stage shows. Our campers went home very happy… we lost count of the parents who stopped by to say a huge thank you before leaving with their child. Camp was quiet that night, with all of us conserving our energy for the start of the next session – yet the phone did not stop ringing with parents attempting to re-booked session one campers for later in the summer! Session One was a fantastic start to the season and we’re now looking forward to session number two!
Check out the photos and videos at www.centauriartscamp.com/media/Galleries/2010
Julie
More Camp Video!
Posted by centauri in articles about summer camp, canadian summer camp, Centauri Summer Arts Camp., kids camp, Ontario Summer Camp, teen camp on February 1, 2009
We have just added more camp video to our video page
http://www.centauri.on.ca/media/video/video.htm
But for those who want to see it now, here they are!
This one is a series of clips of the final performances and shows in summer 2008. There are clips of the writing camps, theatre camps, film camps, fine art Camps, photography camps, musical theatre camps, music camps and much more.
This one is a series of clips of camp life in summer 2008, all the craziness and fun of arts camp! It shows campers and staff in the themed banquets, special events etc.