Magical Moments at Centauri Summer Arts Camp - Part One... This year, during Staff Training, our focus was on magical moments, and how often, these days, childhood is so closely supervised and involves so many organised activities, the magic of those early years is disappearing, and needs to be cherished and re-ignited. We challenged our [...]
What's a DOOT, you ask? It's a dinner where each of us, in dorm groups, Do Our Own Thing. Imagine the chaos of 16 different mini themed suppers all going on at once! One of our boys' dorms held a baby shower during dinner. The G1s were pop stars, and their counsellors played agents, linked [...]
It's Conference Time! Craig, Katie and I have spent the past few days attending the annual conference of the Ontario Camps Association. The conference is held at the perfect time for us. In February at Centauri Arts Camp, we begin to build our summer season. This includes hiring new staff, reviewing camp policies, meeting with [...]
As Registration Day approaches, here are some important dates to keep in mind: Thursday 7th November: The 2014 Centauri Arts Camp Website goes LIVE TODAY! Browse our exciting new program selections and make your choices for next summer! Sunday 10th November: Information Sessions: 1pm: Information Session for New and Prospective Families. See photos, meet the [...]
There is a type of magic that descends on Centauri Arts Camp around the third day of a session. The first two days begin with a mad rush to get acclimated into the camp environment. Our returning campers leap right in, being the first to dash around camp or dress up for the first spirit [...]
What does a young person gain from a summer at Centauri? This note says it all: "Thank you to all your staff for the great experience you provide at Centauri. We were nervous about sending [our son] to camp... but his confidence is up, his politeness is up, his happiness is up, his work ethic has improved and I know his creative side has again been ignited. The works of art your campers produce are truly amazing. We are already planning to return next year." (The parent of a first time camper)
We were transported to Elizabethan England, courtesy of some excellent costumes supplied by our friends at Blackthorn Productions! Each dorm had an identity – for example, B1 was a group of Explorers, led by Sir Francis Drake. At lunch, all groups were presented to the Queen… who then demanded a Pageant to be held in her honour. Each group prepared a portion of the Pageant, and we also had a guest instructor on camp, teaching Renaissance Dance.
There were three parts to our Hunger Games. For the first part, Tributes had to charge across an open space towards the ‘Cornucopia’ without being caught by Mutts (the LITs again!). Eight of the Tributes were eliminated at this stage.
Camp is now in full swing and is full to bursting with energy and excitement.
If your son or daughter is an extrovert – loves socializing, thrives in large groups and enjoys loud, busy, action-filled days - then residential arts camp is an obvious choice. But over the years, we’ve learned at Centauri that the quieter, calmer, somewhat introverted campers have just as much to gain from overnight camp. And knowing how many of those kids are the creative, artistic type, we’ve evolved a daily schedule that meets their needs, too.