Four Years of Free Summer Camp

During the final week of July, FESA wrapped up the fourth year of Kids Club Summer Edition, a free summer camp offered in partnership with the City of Calgary. This year, 19 kids between the ages of 5 and 12 joined us for a week packed with games, learning, and new friendships.

How the Week Worked

Campers were split into three teams: red, blue, and green. Each was led by an adult facilitator alongside youth volunteers. Many of these volunteers were former campers themselves. Volunteering gave them a chance to build real skills in facilitation, logistics, and responsibility.  

Every morning began with a land acknowledgment, taught a different way each day so the kids could genuinely connect with where the camp was situated, in Mohkinstsis, on the traditional territories that make up Alberta. We followed this with a review of our community care guidelines, setting the tone for a safe, respectful, and fun week. 

Games, Learning, and Friendly Competition

Mornings mixed high-energy games like musical chairs with science experiments and crafts, Play-Doh making, cookie-baking, daily trivia, and Jeopardy challenges that got surprisingly competitive (turns out "Who led Britain during the Revolutionary War?" is a stumper for most 8-year-olds).

Afternoons moved outside to take advantage of the beautiful weather; tag in all its forms (including a very popular round of Capture the Flag), dodgeball, soccer, chalk art, hopscotch, and trips to the park. On day two, the older children had the opportunity to attend a workshop by local Elders, learning about Indigenous healing and making their very own medicine bags.

Throughout the week, we watched the quieter campers find their footing. Kids who started out coloring alone on day one were laughing with a full group of friends by day three. Even kids who started the week at odds found commonalities and friendship by the end. Watching that kind of confidence grow was one of the most rewarding parts of running the camp.

A Memorable Send-Off

Our final day brought two special guests: pedal-bike climate educators from Arusha, who showed the kids how much energy it takes to generate electricity by powering LED lights and a bubble machine, and the Butterfield Acre Farms petting zoo, with goats, sheep, and bunnies for kids to meet. For some campers, meeting the animals took real courage, and by the end of the day, kids who'd been nervous at first were grinning ear to ear at having pet a bunny for the first time.

We closed the week with an awards ceremony, handing out certificates (Awesome Adventurer, Amazing Artist, Helping Hands, and more) alongside take-home literacy kits packed with books, paper, and art supplies to keep kids learning and creating all summer.

Why This Camp Matters

For many of our campers, Kids Club Summer Edition is their first experience with summer camp. Being able to offer it completely free in partnership with the City of Calgary is something we're incredibly proud of. Returning campers told us they look forward to it all year; one camper even asked why we couldn't run it every single day.

We're already looking forward to next summer. Until August 31, all donations are matched up to 50% thanks to Rogers Birdies for Kids, presented by AltaLink.