What?

A fun, discovery-based summer day camp for seven- to eleven-year-olds in Point Grey, Vancouver

At Summer Jam we stick our feet in the moss and our hands in the sauce as we explore our selves, our community, and our environment while having tons of fun! Each day, we engage in creative activities, group games, and collaborative projects, and enjoy interactive free time at Jericho Park and Beach. We practice communication, decision-making, cooperation and leadership skills, and enjoy the friendships that emerge from playing together in meaningful ways.

As Summer Jam progresses, we expand our focus from Self to Group to Community. Participants take on increasing responsibility for directing their time and resources as they adopt tools for understanding their needs and relationships to the people around them.

The Summer Jam staff team envisions each participant leaving our camp with a stronger foundation upon which to develop the self-awareness and interpersonal skills necessary to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.


A TYPICAL DAY…

Circle Time



We begin each day with a community meeting we call Circle Time. Circle Time is an opportunity to share perspectives and to deepen our connection as a group. Sitting together in a large circle in the centre or in the park, we decide collectively how to share our time, space, and resources – and we revisit these decisions regularly to ensure that everyone is satisfied. Circle Time is also an opportunity to discuss group projects, share news and updates, and plan playshops and local excursions. To open and close Circle Time, we play group-bonding and trust-building games coordinated by our staff.


Morning Activities

After Circle Time, participants play group games and cooperative sports in the park and on the beach, have fun with new friends, and pursue a vast variety of creative activities and imaginative play. Your child will have access to all of the materials necessary to bring ideas to life, as well as the support of a bunch of ‘‘let’s do it!’’-type, fun-loving, and free-spirited staff, who can facilitate almost anything - from printing on clothing to putting on puppet shows…Some days we play on our own or in clusters (with the attention and support of staff members), some days we decide to take on projects as a group.

Occasionally the group will decide to go on field trips into the community, where we might buy costumes for a play we’re putting on, or plant veggies in a community garden.

Sometimes we invite community members to come talk to us about inspiring projects that they have been involved in.

The Summer Jam staff team is responsible for maintaining an atmosphere of physical and emotional safety at all times at Summer Jam. All decisions about what we do and how we do it that do not interfere with participants' safety are made by the group. Participants engage in whole processes, from concept to clean-up, and practice conscious decision-making, self-exploration, and cooperative social interaction along the way.


Lunch
When the sun is shining, we eat lunch in Jericho Park or on Jericho Beach. When rain falls, our home base, the Wondertree Learning Centre, provides a spacious and cozy shelter.




Afternoon Activities

In the afternoon, participants are invited to join in a creative playshop led by expert facilitators. This year’s topics include art-making, music-making, theatre games, puppetry, communication skills, and emotional awareness

…or they can pursue self-directed activities with the support of our staff.


Snack!

Every day, a cook crew made up of 2 participants and Christine, our cook-facilitator, prepares a nutritious afternoon snack for the group. The day’s cook crew chooses a recipe, prepares yummy food*, and cleans up the kitchen afterward.

*All of the food we prepare is vegetarian, and made to accommodate the dietary needs of each member of our group. We use mostly unrefined, organically-farmed foods, and prepare them freshly every day with plenty of love and attention.


Hiking Days



One day each week, participants join in a safe, exploratory and fun-filled hiking expedition in Vancouver's local mountains. Here we explore local landscapes, get to know plants and animals, and play group games in the woods.


Fun, Laughter And Celebration

Always and all ways! Moss and Sauce staff members believe that life is worth celebrating, and find all ways and occasions for enjoying this gift!


PARENT PARTICIPATION

Parents are ALWAYS welcome to join us for any or all of our activities! Spend time with your child hiking Mount Seymour, building sand castles on the beach, crafting, cooking, playing Bear, Bug, Frog in Jericho Park, or participating in a fun and empowering playshop…
Summer Jam is run by family-minded people who cherish the perspective that a diversity of people has to bring!


FRENCH LANGUAGE

While English is the primary language used at Summer Jam and having a basic understanding of English will facilitate participation in community discussions, two of our staff members are fluently French-English bilingual. We gladly offer to meet the needs of French-speaking participants, offering assistance for French-speaking participants to participate in French, as well as the opportunity to become more fluent in English.

Many Summer Jam activities are not language-based and are enjoyable to speakers of any language!


Note:

The Summer Jam staff team is responsible for maintaining an atmosphere of physical and emotional safety at all times at Summer Jam. All decisions about what we do and how we do it that do not interfere with participants' safety are made by the group. Participants engage in whole processes, from concept to clean-up, and practice conscious decision-making, self-exploration, and cooperative social interaction along the way.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS