PROFILE: The Child Experience @ St. Martin de Porres

The Child Experience (TCE) summer camp first opened its doors at their John 23rd and Fatima location four years ago. TCE was founded by Anthony Tacoma and now has eight different locations. In its second year at the St. Martin De Porres location, TCE was designed to keep children engaged during their summer vacation.

FOY Councillors setting up the Blindfolded Treasure Hunt game.

The camp operates from June 30th to August 1st from 9AM to 3:30PM. Each week there is a different theme that the camp follows – examples include multicultural week or a year-in-a-week. Campers will have a fun and action-packed summer with the constant variation in theme.

Councillor Melissa getting blindfolded for her round in the game.

In the morning, campers are divided into age groups (freshmen, juniors, and seniors) and rotate throughout the day into three different activities: drama, arts and sports. The daily routine at TCE goes as follows: opening activities, first rotation, snack, second and third rotation, lunch and then a camp wide excursion or game – for example, going to the park or splash pad.

Campers in the beginning stages of building birdhouses.

TCE’s partnership with Focus on Youth gives high school students a chance to come back to the camp to participate as a senior counsellor and engage in a great learning experience working with younger campers in a leadership position.