Games + Code 2.0 | coding summer camp with Scratch

Our approach With a family’s backyard and surrounding neighbourhood as the backdrop for camp, we provide a safe and personalized alternative to crowded summer day camps. A weekly schedule is curated for a select group of 3-6 campers, based on their ages and interests. A certified educator or experienced camp counselor is matched and dedicated exclusively to the group. All Camp Leaders are CPR certified.     We offer Daily programming A 5 1⁄2 hour daily program is designed just for you and includes 5 main activity blocks: Art & Design, STEM & Nature, Sports & Water Play, Performing Arts and Wellness, as well as many special events and experiences.All supplies provided. See Program Example   Weekly themes An educational theme weaves a common thread through each activity. Featured themes include: ‘Lost In Space’ ‘Color Me Happy’ ‘Zootopia’ ‘Lights, Camera, Hollywood!’ ‘Green Thumb, Green Planet’ and more.   Badge-system At the end of each week, the group reflects on and recognizeseach camper with treats and badges, honoring the skills acquiredand behaviours demonstrated towards their peers.   Special Events We mix up the regular schedule with activities that not onlyfoster new skills and collaboration, but turn up the fun! • Luau Lemonade Stand• Gone Camping• Carnival Games• Camp’s Got Talent show• ‘Amazing Race’ scavenger hunt• Themed Celebrations & Costumes  

Play free kids games, watch videos, and explore activities, quirky quizzes and fun facts. Learn more about the indiginous culture, first nations, food fun facts, indiginous history, indiginous resourses, Totem pole 101, crafts, cool comics, video games and so much more!!  Watch Artzooka, Big Block Sing Song and more.

A CEGEP professor says there are many benefits to playing chess and it is a great way for kids to spend time during the pandemic Vanier College professor Mark Cohen is offering kids an educational way to spend their time online by teaching them how to play chess. “I was a little worried initially that parents would think ‘oh no, not another activity online,’” says Cohen, who created Montreal Chess Tutor just before Christmas. “But then I thought, if it’s a choice between this activity and playing video games, they might prefer that their kids are at least learn something.” Each Zoom session starts off with an introduction and then kids turn off their cameras, keep on the audio and do the lesson by playing a game on chess.com. Cohen uses his paid membership on the site, which allows him to invite students to access a chess board. Cohen can have kids do various tasks such as setting up the board (to demonstrate knowledge of where all the pieces go) to doing a puzzle that helps them understand where each piece can move. A game that challenges the mind An avid chess player while growing up in Toronto, Cohen has taught chess at the Cote. St.Luc Library and started a chess club at Vanier College since moving to Montreal. He says he wanted to continue teaching kids chess during the lock down because he believes there are so many benefits to playing this game. “There is a large body of research on the benefits of chess,” he says. “It is good for critical thinking skills, logic, and math, but learning chess has also been known to improve students’ reading and writing ability and to help children who have trouble focusing (e.g. with ADHD) to better concentrate and listen. Chess also teaches sportsmanship and can give kids a sense of belonging and confidence if they play others in their peer group.” Since starting up, Cohen has about 10 students that he works with regularly who range in age from 5 to 14. However, he says there is no age limit; Cohen is even teaching the grandparents of one of his teenage students. No previous knowledge is needed; he will adjust his tutoring session based on the child’s level. While currently most of his students are boys, he says he hopes more girls will take an interest. “Many parents have watched The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix and have seen a possible role model for girls and women in a world that has been traditionally dominated by men,” he says.