Mini University

Bring out your kids’ artistic side and ignite their imagination this summer at one of our Kreative Kids camps! Our arts & crafts instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities that we're positive every camper will love! This one-week camp encourages kids to discover their budding passion for arts & crafts through a variety of fun projects. Using a range of different materials and styles to keep their hands busy, campers will be excited to share their unique creations with you! Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

Would your camper enjoy deeper discussions about life, self, and world set in the collaborative, active context of games, sports, play, art, stories, and friendship? 

The Mini Philosophers & Friends summer camp provides campers with the opportunity to appreciate the diversity of experiences and viewpoints, the importance of others in expanding our own intellectual limitations, and the value of good thinking skills in revealing things about the world, ourselves, and each other. 

Topics of discussion in this camp may include:

• What is a good life?
• What is free will?
• How is life like a story?
• What is a friend?
• What is a game?
• What is art?
• Could there be two of you?

* This camp is developed in collaboration with The Department of Philosophy. Activities are presented as examples and may change.

Get in the game and get moving this summer! At our cutting-edge active gaming camp, campers will play the hottest new games for Nintendo Switch®* gaming systems. They will also explore virtual reality through our Oculus Meta Quest 2® VR systems and play classic and new board games with other campers in a non-competitive and encouraging environment. Campers will also learn about video game elements, drag-and-drop programming using rapid game development apps on iPads®*, and basic coding for games on computers. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available. Please note the pool will be closed from August 18-22 for maintenance and cleaning.

Active Gamers A is not a prerequisite for Active Gamers B so you can register for either one. Additionally, the activities for both Active Gamers options are similar in nature but taught by different instructors.

Nintendo Switch®, Apple iPads® and Oculus Meta Quest 2® are registered trademarks which do not sponsor, authorize or endorse this program.

Bravo! Encore! Our dance camp returns this summer for your rising star. Our dance instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! Throughout the week, campers will practice and expand their dancing skills in a supportive and encouraging environment.  Campers will be introduced to several dance moves & styles to perform their final dance show on Friday! They will also do a variety of arts & crafts projects that are related to their dance performance. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

Bravo! Encore! Our performing arts camp returns this summer for your rising star. Our drama instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! Campers will explore and discover their budding passion for drama through a variety of fun drama related activities and games designed to introduce them to the performing arts. Throughout the week, campers will develop an understanding of the many aspects of drama and acting in a supportive and encouraging environment. A highlight of the week is a theatrical performance and workshop with UCalgary's local theatre troupe, Wagonstage. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

Bring out your kids’ artistic side and ignite their imagination at our Comic Book Creators camp this summer! Our instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! This one-week camp encourages kids to discover their budding passion for comic books and graphic novels through a variety of projects and is designed for kids who want to learn more about how comics are made so they can create some of their own. Our instructor will introduce the creative process of comic book creation and encourage campers to explore their own ideas in a safe and supportive environment. Campers will explore topics including: brainstorming, character and story ideas, sketching, and drawing. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available. 

Unearth ancient myths and discover fossil facts at our brand-new Dino Detectives summer camp! Our instructor is busy crafting thrilling, hands-on experiences every camper will love. Throughout the week, our budding palaeontologists will discover what dinosaurs looked like, explore the art of moulding and casting to create replicas of real fossils, and design unique dinosaurs to survive in any environment. Campers will build prehistoric landscapes in our augmented reality sandbox, learning how meteor impacts and volcanic activity shaped our planet. And, of course, no palaeontology experience is complete without a dinosaur dig. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available. Please note that activities are presented as examples only and are subject to change.

Dino Detectives A is not a prerequisite for Dino Detectives B so you can register for either one. Additionally, the activities for both Dino Detectives options are similar in nature, but taught by different instructors.

This full-day camp is designed for kids who are about to take the first big leap into Kindergarten in the fall. Our camp instructor is busy planning some exciting and new activities, while bringing back many favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! Throughout the week, our Kinder Kampers will enjoy arts & crafts, storytelling, games, science experiments, scavenger hunts, and other fun projects. Each day's activities are based on a different theme while being balanced with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor physical activities. Campers will also get to go to the UCalgary Gymnastics Centre!

Please note that Kinder Kamp A and B are at different times and are taught by different instructors with different lesson plans, so campers can have a new experience if they register for multiple weeks. A is not a prerequisite for B so you can register for either one.

Bring out your kids’ artistic side and ignite their imagination this summer at one of our Kreative Kids camps! Our digital arts instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! This one-week camp encourages kids to discover their budding passion for digital art through a variety of art projects. Campers will learn how to make digital art using a drawing tablet along with the software tools and explore some fun art websites. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

Bring out your kids’ artistic side and ignite their imagination this summer at one of our Kreative Kids camps! Our drawing instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! This one-week camp encourages kids to discover their budding passion for drawing through a variety of art projects. Using a range of different drawing mediums and styles, campers will be excited to share their unique creations with you at the end of the week! Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

Bring out your kids’ artistic side and ignite their imagination this summer at one of our Kreative Kids camps! Our painting instructor is busy planning new and exciting  activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! This one-week camp encourages kids to discover their budding passion for painting through a variety of art projects. Using a range of different painting mediums and styles, campers will be excited to share their unique creations with you at the end of the week! Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

Bring out your kids’ artistic side and ignite their imagination this summer at one of our Kreative Kids camps! Our sculpture instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! This one-week camp encourages kids to discover their budding passion for sculpting through a variety of art projects. Using a range of different sculpting mediums and styles, campers will be excited to share their unique creations with you at the end of the week! Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

Calling all history spies, library sleuths, cultural inspectors, and digital detectives to the Taylor Family Digital Library’s Summer Camp! Each week, campers will be joined by our team of archivists, curators, librarians, and digital maker experts to investigate the unique collections and programs at TFDL. Step into their shoes and investigate a world of possibilities!

Whether getting up close and personal with the artworks at the Nickle Galleries, exploring Indigenous ways of knowing through storytelling games and art, visiting our archives and special collections to get insider views of the past, or testing out nifty new digital technologies, each week campers will get a behind the scenes adventure in the new world of libraries, archives, and museums. Who knows what other surprises and mysteries there might be in the stacks!

Sessions will focus on hands-on activities, and between sessions there will be body breaks to keep the campers moving, having fun and staying engaged all day long. If your child loves creating, doing something new every day, and investigating the past and future, this is the camp for them!

Sign up for a dose of fun, STAT! Discover the fascinating field of medicine through hands-on activities at MediCamp this summer! Our MediCamp instructor is busy planning new and exciting challenges, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! This one-week camp encourages kids to engage in a variety of experiments, activities and challenges in a professional laboratory. Campers will explore how the human body functions, the basics of nutrition, exercise, stress, practice some First Aid, and learn about a variety of healthcare professions. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

MediCamp A is not a prerequisite for MediCamp B so you can register for either one. Additionally, the activities for both MediCamp options are similar in nature but taught by different instructors.

Engage your child’s mind and body this summer at our martial arts camp. Our experienced martial arts instructors aim to improve concentration, coordination and self-discipline in a safe and encouraging environment. Campers will practice striking and grappling techniques with the instructor using padded targets. They also learn how to safely execute moves and self-defense techniques inspired by a variety of martial arts (mostly Karate) which foster self-confidence, respect, and a healthy lifestyle. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

Put the pieces together brick-by-brick at our LEGO®* camp this summer! Throughout the week, campers will face some big challenges that require a whole lot of creativity, imagination, and problem solving. Our mini brick builders instructor is busy planning new and exciting challenges, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! Between orchestrating large group builds, cities, bridges, vehicles, spaceships, planes (and really anything else they can think of) campers are guaranteed to have a great time building with our gigantic stockpile of LEGO®*. The Grade 4-6 groups will build with SPIKE™ Prime sets. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available. Please note there will be no swimming from August 18-22 due to maintenance and cleaning.

Mini Brick Builders A is not a prerequisite for Mini Brick Builders B so you can register for either one. Additionally, the activities for both Mini Brick Builders options are similar in nature, but taught by different instructors.

*LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this program.

At our culinary camp, campers will learn how to make a variety of snacks and meals by learning from our Instructor and making food together. Campers will roll up their sleeves and get hands-on experience in the kitchen so they are more confident making food for themselves. They'll learn basic food preparation, knife skills (with cut resistant gloves), and kitchen safety under the guidance of our experienced Instructors. Our camp provides a safe, engaging, and fun environment where kids can develop basic kitchen skills, unlock their creativity, and most importantly, have a blast in the process. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

In regards to food allergies, we acknowledge the severity of peanut, gluten and other allergens. As we are using a campus kitchen that is used year-round, we cannot guarantee that your child will not encounter a person or object that has come into contact with these allergens. With that being said, we will have modified ingredients available for many common food allergies.

Looks like somebody rolled a natural 20 on their luck check when looking for a camp to enroll their adventurer in this summer! This camp will introduce the skills and terminology kids will need to play Dungeons & Dragons®* both as a Dungeon Master (the person who leads the game) or as a player (the people who the DM leads). Campers will go adventuring in their imagination by exploring how to build interesting characters, a believable world for them to exist in, and their own lore while adventuring with other creative campers. A highlight of this camp involves designing and painting a 3D printed miniature of a character from Hero Forge®*. No experience is required but an openness to learn and a positive attitude is helpful on the journey. So grab your explorer's bag, some food, and a bottle of sunscreen because we are questing for dragons! Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Please note that there is no gymnastics or swimming for this camp.

*Dungeons & Dragons® and Hero Forge® are registered trademarks which do not sponsor, authorize or endorse this program.

Our Indoor Sports & Games camp is perfect for kids to expend all their endless energy this summer! Our instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known sports & games to get campers active this summer! This camp encourages kids to learn how to play a variety of new and classic sports through a games-based approach. Activities may include: soccer, floor hockey, volleyball, dodgeball, archery, basketball, handball, quidditch, relay races, badminton, and more depending on the age group. This camp is not designed as a sports training camp and is geared towards learning and playing sports in a fun games-based way. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available. Please note the pool will be closed from August 18-22 due to maintenance and cleaning. There will also be no swimming on August 4 due to statutory holiday.

Discover the sport of Olympic fencing with our professional fencing coaches from Epic Fencing* Club at our Mini Musketeers camp this summer! This camp is designed for beginners with no previous fencing experience a great introduction for youth who are looking for a new activity they haven't tried before. The camp is a great introduction for people who may want to continue in fencing programs following the camp or for those who want to try a new activity in the summer. Fencers will learn the fundamentals of fencing technique including: how to lunge, parry, and score an attack in a safe match environment. We will provide all sport, fencing and safety equipment. Development of technical skills is enhanced with one-on-one instruction and division into smaller groups. Each day is balanced with fencing skill development & practice and a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Each week, campers will have the opportunity to play fun, lifeguard-led games in a pool session at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available. There will be no swimming on August 4 due to statutory holidays.

Please note that Mini Musketeers 1 is not a prerequisite for 2, so you can register for either one. 

*Instruction is provided by Epic Fencing

Our Outdoor Sports & Games camp is perfect for kids to expend all their endless energy this summer! Our instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known sports & games to get campers active this summer! This camp encourages kids to learn how to play a variety of new and classic sports through a games-based approach. Activities may include: soccer, kickball, capture the flag, baseball, ultimate frisbee, frisbee golf, touch football/rugby, dodgeball, quidditch, relay races, cricket and more depending on the age group. This camp is not designed as a sports training camp and is geared towards learning and playing sports in a fun games-based way. Each day is balanced with a variety of indoor activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available. Please note the pool will be closed from August 18-22 for maintenance and cleaning. There will also be no swimming on August 4 due to the statutory holiday.

Mini Outdoor Sports & Games A is not a prerequisite for B so you can register for either one. Additionally, the activities for both Mini Outdoor Sports & Games options are similar in nature, but taught by different instructors.

FORE! Tee up and hit a hole-in-one this summer at our popular summer golf camp. Skill development and fun are par for the course. This one-week camp encourages young golfers to practice their driving, chipping, and putting skills on and off the links with our experienced golf instructors. Campers will also receive instruction from a CPGA Golf Pro at Confederation Park Golf Course on Monday and play a round of 9 holes on McCall Lake’s Par 3 Course on both Wednesday (with the pro) and Friday! On Tuesday and Thursday, campers will practice their golf skills indoors and outdoors on-campus while also playing a variety of general outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available. Please note the pool will be closed from August 18-22 for maintenance and cleaning and they will go to the golf course on August 5 instead of swimming during this short week.

Please note, we have a secure area to store everyone’s equipment for the week. Don’t own a set of clubs? No worries! Mini University has a set of quality clubs you can rent at an affordable price ($35 for the week). To book a set of clubs, please register for the event titled: Mini Pro Golfers - Book Rental Golf Clubs

This full-day camp is designed for kids who are entering Grade 1 in the fall. Our camp instructor is busy planning some exciting and new activities, while bringing back many favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! Throughout the week, the Mini’s will enjoy arts & crafts, storytelling, games, science experiments, scavenger hunts and other fun projects. Each day’s activities are based on a different theme while being balanced with a wide variety of indoor & outdoor physical activities. Campers will go to the Gymnastics Centre and also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available. Please note there will be no swimming from August 18-22 due to maintenance and cleaning.

Please note that Mini U 101 A and B are at different times and are taught by different instructors with different lesson plans, so campers can have a new experience if they register for multiple weeks. A is not a prerequisite for B so you can register for either one.

Bring out your kids’ artistic side and ignite their imagination this summer at our Needle & Fibre Arts camp! Our fibre arts instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! This one-week camp encourages kids to discover their budding passion for the fibre arts through a variety of art projects. Using a range of different techniques which may include: sewing, knitting, crocheting, macrame, hand embroidery, and punch needle, campers will be excited to share their unique creations with you at the end of the week! Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. Campers entering Grades 5-7 will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available. There will be no swimming time for campers entering Grades 8-10. Please note that activities are presented as examples only and are subject to change.

Discover how the world works at our Science Trek Biology camp this summer! This one-week camp encourages kids to engage in a variety of experiments, activities and challenges in a professional laboratory. Campers will be introduced to the many aspects of the living world- from plants to animals, and even our own human bodies! Our biology instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. One highlight of the week is going on a day trip to TELUS Spark Science Centre! Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

Discover how the world works at our Science Trek Chemistry camp this summer! This one-week camp encourages kids to engage in a variety of experiments, activities and challenges in a professional laboratory. Campers will be introduced to molecules and matter by creating and observing many chemical reactions. Our chemistry instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. One highlight of the week is going on a day trip to TELUS Spark Science Centre! Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

Discover the inner workings of criminology at our Science Trek Criminal Science camp this summer! This one-week camp encourages kids to engage in a variety of experiments, activities and challenges in a professional laboratory. Campers will be introduced to the processes of solving crimes and use these skills & techniques to see if justice will be served by the end of the week. Our criminal science instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. One highlight of the week is going on a day trip to TELUS Spark Science Centre! Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

Discover how the world works at our Science Trek Physics camp this summer! This one-week camp encourages kids to engage in a variety of experiments, activities and challenges in a professional laboratory. Campers will be introduced to the many types of energy and forces that exist in the world in a hands-on manner. Our physics instructor is busy planning new and exciting activities, while bringing back some favourite, well-known lessons we're positive every camper will love! Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders. One highlight of the week is going on a day trip to TELUS Spark Science Centre! Campers will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool at our indoor Aquatic Centre! Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available.

Spend a week sharpening your wit and your pencil with some hands-on writing activities. From poetry taboo to rap battles, prose-writing to puns, these masterminds will try their hand at a breadth of styles, genres, and techniques. Whether they are just tip-toeing into the world of words or have already done a deep dive into a particular style and genre, the tools they learn here can help an emerging writer or pro alike. By the end, they will have the skills they need to rock the mic, the stage, the bestseller list, or whatever realm they choose.

NOTE: THIS CAMP IS NOT FOR ACADEMIC OR TECHNICAL WRITING, OR IN PREPARATION FOR SCHOOL.