Mini University
Discover Explore Create Play
This summer, Mini University is excited to offer your family over two dozen fun and educational camps for kids and teens. Whether your child enjoys dance, video games, art, comic books, LEGO®, science, and sports & games or try something new like fencing, golf, martial arts, acting, digital art, or medicine, we have a camp for everyone in your family!
At Mini U, we work year-round to plan summer camps that incorporate a wide variety of physical activities & games that promote a healthy, active lifestyle for all of our campers. Each camp is scheduled with a range of activities and hands-on projects that are taught by our specialized & experienced instructors. This summer, most of our camps will also have the opportunity to play fun lifeguard-led games in the pool every week at our indoor Aquatic Centre. Everyone will have to do a swim test and lifejackets will always be readily available. Please note the Aquatic Centre is closed for cleaning & maintenance from August 21-25. There will also be no swimming on July 3 and August 7 due to statutory holidays.
Kinder Kamp
Entering Kindergarten
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!
Mini U 101
Entering Grade 1
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 21-25 due to maintenance and cleaning.
Broadway Bound Drama
Entering Grades 3-4 & 5-7
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. 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.
Broadway Bound Dance
Entering Grades 2-3 & 4-6
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 record a final dance performance 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.
Kreative Kids Drawing
Entering Grades 2-3 & 4-6
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 techniques, 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.
Kreative Kids Painting
Entering Grades 2-3 & 4-6
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 techniques, 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
Kreative Kids Sculpture
Entering Grades 2-3 & 4-6
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 drawing mediums and techniques, 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.
Kreative Kids Digital Arts
Entering Grades 3-4 & 5-7
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, take some photographs outside, and be introduced to photo & image editing. 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.
Science Trek Biology
Entering Grades 2-3 & 4-6
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. 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.
Science Trek Chemistry
Entering Grades 2-3 & 4-6
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. 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.
Science Trek Physics
Entering Grades 2-3 & 4-6
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. 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.
Science Trek Criminal Science
Entering Grades 3-4 & 5-7
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. 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.
Mini Brick Builders
Entering Grades 2-3 & 4-6
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) camper’s are guaranteed to have a great time building with our gigantic stockpile of LEGO®*. 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 21-25 for maintenance and cleaning.
*LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this program.
Mini Dungeon Masters
Entering Grades 6 - 8
Looks like somebody rolled a natural 20 on their luck check when looking for a camp to enrol 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 person 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, food, and sunscreen bottle because we are questing for dragons! 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.
*Dungeons & Dragons® and Hero Forge® are registered trademarks which do not sponsor, authorize or endorse this program.
Mini Black Belts
Entering Grades 3-4 & 5-7
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. There will also be no swimming on July 3 and August 7 due to statutory holidays.
Active Gamers
Entering Grades 3-4 & 5-7
Get in the game and get moving this summer! At our cutting-edge active gaming camp, campers will play the hottest new motion control games for Nintendo Switch®*, Xbox One Kinect®*, and Wii U®* 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 classic 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 21-25 for maintenance and cleaning.
*Xbox One Kinect®, Wii U®, Nintendo Switch® , Apple iPads® and Oculus Meta Quest 2® are registered trademarks which do not sponsor, authorize or endorse this program.
Mini Musketeers
Entering Grades 3-4 & 5-7
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. 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, fencing practice, bouts 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 July 3 and August 7 due to statutory holidays.
*Instruction and equipment are provided by Epic Fencing Club
MediCamp
Entering Grades 3-4 & 5-7
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.
Mini Pro Golfers
Entering Grades 3-4 & 5-7
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 driving and chipping skills outside on-campus. 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 21-25 for maintenance and cleaning.
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 ($50 for the week). To book a set of clubs, please register for the event titled: Mini Pro Golfers - Book Rental Golf Clubs
Mini Indoor Sports & Games
Entering Grades 2-3 & 4-6
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 indoor sports & camp games. Activities may include: soccer, floor hockey, dodgeball, archery, basketball, handball, quidditch, relay races, badminton, and more depending on the age group. 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 21-25 due to maintenance and cleaning. There will also be no swimming on July 3 and August 7 due to statutory holidays.
Mini Outdoor Sports & Games
Entering Grades 2-3 & 4-6
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 outdoor sports & camp games. Activities may include: soccer, kickball, capture the flag, baseball, ultimate frisbee, frisbee golf, touch football/rugby, dodgeball, quidditch, relay races, parachute games and more depending on the age group. 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 21-25 for maintenance and cleaning. There will also be no swimming on July 3 and August 7 due to statutory holidays.
Comic Book Creators
Entering Grades 5-7
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.
Gymnastics Camp - Calgary
Entering Grades 1-3, 4-6 & 7-9
Engage your child’s mind and body at our gymnastics camp this summer. Active Living’s experienced Gymnastics Instructors design this camp to improve your child’s strength, balance, coordination and movement skills in a supportive and encouraging environment. The Gymnastics Centre provides skill development at each individual's level on various gymnastic apparatuses utilizing stations designed to develop fundamental movement patterns in a fun and safe way. No experience is necessary! Everyone will find something to enjoy in this camp designed to get kids moving and learning new skills. 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 21-25 for maintenance and cleaning.
We are now offering summer intensive in the following categories:
Library De-Tech-Tives
Entering Grades 4-5 & 6-8
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!
Youth Triathlon Summer Camp
Entering Grades 3-4, 5-7 & 8-11
A triathlon is a multi-sport endurance event with swimming, cycling and running in immediate succession over various distances. The triathlon camp is offered by University of Calgary Triathlon Club, the longest-serving Triathlon Club in Canada. At this week-long intensive camp, participants learn proper biking, running and swimming techniques from highly trained coaches. Camp activities will develop aerobic and anaerobic systems to give a good base for all sports. Participants will have fun with other youth at the same level, with progression from start up, all the way to Junior National Team level training. They will also be introduced to the different technical aspects of the sport while receiving coaching to improve their transition times and overall performance. Each day is balanced with a variety of fun indoor & outdoor activities, too.
Please bring appropriate swim attire & equipment, as participants will be swimming on a daily basis. Participants will also be biking daily. For safety and security, a bike lock is required as well as the ability to transport the bike to and from camp as Active Living does not have any overnight storage space.
Word Nerds
Entering Grades 8-11
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. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games and indoor activities led by our camp leaders.
Calgary Sightseers
Entering Grades 8-11
Don’t want to spend another summer sitting around, bored? Join a group of like-minded youth who want to explore and see something different every day. A mix of arts, food, culture, outdoor activities, and sightseeing, this is the summer vacation you always wished you had but never got around to planning. From mural walks to outdoor adventures to sightseeing some of Calgary’s staples, fill your camera roll with something different every day.
Speak Up
Entering Grades 8-11
Learn how to be a better speaker, performer, and presenter with a week of hands-on activities and games. Whether you’re an aspiring actor, debater, politician, poet, or anything else that has you standing in front of a crowd, learn techniques that will help you master the mic. Led by stand-up comedian and poet, Alan Leangvan, and spoken word poet Miranda Krogstad, you will learn tried and true methods that will boost your confidence on and off the stage.
Mini Concert Masters
Entering Grades 5-7
Bravo! Encore! We’re excited to debut a unique and immersive musical experience in our music-based camp this summer! Our concert masters instructor who is also a music educator is busy planning new and exciting activities and lessons we're positive every camper will love! This camp is designed to build upon children’s prior knowledge and experience as young musicians. Although not required, having a basic background in playing the ukulele (and/or guitar), piano, and various percussion instruments will greatly enhance the overall experience. Campers will explore their budding passion for music and composition through a variety of fun music related activities and games designed to enhance their understanding of the performing arts. Throughout the week, campers will develop an understanding of the many aspects of music, improvising, and musical productions by playing instruments together while also exploring how to compose a piece, making invitations & programs, and preparing for a smashing final concert! Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders.
Camp from July 31 - August 4
Teen Songsmiths
Entering Grades 8-10
Testing, testing. 1-2-3! Amp up your upcoming platinum-label teen wonder in our songwriting focused camp this summer! Our instructor, who is a well versed musical educator, is busy planning new and exciting activities and lessons we're positive every camper will love! This camp is designed to build upon teens' existing love and passion for music and composing. Although not required, being able to sing, play the piano, guitar or ukulele will greatly enhance the overall experience. Campers will explore a popular area within the field of music where they will be guided through ideating, composing, and recording their own songs throughout the week. Small group improv, album art design, and working with basic recording software are a few of the opportunities these rising musicians can look forward to in this camp designed to expand their musical journeys. Each day is balanced with a variety of outdoor games & activities led by our camp leaders.
Camp from July 17 - 21