While the students are away, Pearson College will still be rife with learning.
Summer at the Metchosin campus promises to be a busy one, as the Friends Uniting for Nature Society will host their FUN Camps. Operations director Lucas Ker said the activities are focused on environmental education and are youth-led.
B次元官网网址淭he camper identifies a passion project B次元官网网址� something that gets them interested and active, and leverages that idea into an action project that makes the community better in some small way,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎t the end of the summer, they apply to be a FUN champ. We mentor them for a year and hopefully it is presented and the project is either finished, or in existence.B次元官网网址�
The society can even help fund ideas. The creators of selected projects receive up to $500 to help kickstart their Passion Project, after presenting their ideas at a gala. Examples of previous projects include a walking school bus, entrepreneurial opportunities for students, fundraising for environmental or wildlife initiatives and a biking extravaganza promoting biking in school.
B次元官网网址�(Campers) are as young as five and have an idea on how to make the world better B次元官网网址� we support that from an idea to a reality,B次元官网网址� Ker said.
B次元官网网址淢ost kids arenB次元官网网址檛 interested in making change and donB次元官网网址檛 believe they can. ItB次元官网网址檚 great we can start creating this social consciousness and help them realize no matter how small or young they are, they can always make a difference.B次元官网网址�
After comparing the mandates of several different summer camp opportunities, Stephane Vaudandaine enrolled his daughters Elodie, 11, and Libert茅, 9, in FUN Camps a year ago. Both girls are returning this year.
B次元官网网址淭he kids have the ability to be part of it and use their imagination to come up with ideas and things they want to do,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚nstead of staff saying do this now or do that B次元官网网址� they are more listening (for) what the kids want to do and help make it happen. This is the approach I find a lot more interesting in terms of educating kids to become leaders, by (helping) enabling themselves.B次元官网网址�
Last year, Elodie raised money with a movie night at her school for an organization protecting Macaw parrots in Costa Rica. B次元官网网址淪he used the school as part of achieving her passion and thatB次元官网网址檚 opened some connections and teaches them they can (enable) themselves,B次元官网网址� Stephane said. B次元官网网址淚t gives them the ability (to see) as a kid you are a person and you can have an effect on society.B次元官网网址�
Camps are for youth between five and 16 years old and take place at Pearson College, 630 Pearson College Dr. The fees are between $200 and $250, but there are also free programs for youth who canB次元官网网址檛 afford the camps. The first camp starts July 4. For more information visit funsociety.ca.
alim@goldstream gazette.com
