Located in Etobicoke, Camp Inspire is run by Toronto Community Housing, the largest social housing provider in Canada. Toronto Community Housing (TCH) offers a multitude of services and programs for all people, young and old, throughout the GTA.
One of these resources is their Toronto Community Housing – Islington summer camp placement. Running from 9 am-4 pm, TCH Islington aims to make summer camp as accessible as possible. Getting rid of the hassle of travel and providing a camp directly to those who need it. TCH Islington provides local children the opportunity to leave their houses and make the most out of their summer with the kids around them. They host an array of activities and games for the campers throughout the day, and organize weekly trips around the city.
MEET THE FOY STAFF:
Focus on Youth often teams up with Toronto Community Housing to bring well-trained counsellors to their placements, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for FOY employees while also giving an extra pair of hands or two to the counsellors at said placement. Shaun Fagbola and Patrick Iyere are the two Focus On Youth employees who gained the opportunity to work at TCH Islington. There, they commit their time fully to the campers. They engage with the children, creating brotherly bonds with them. They set up, offer help and often lead activities. They plan out days, sometimes weeks in advance. And overall, they put in the work to make sure the campers have the best time possible.
A typical day at work for Patrick and Shawn often starts before the kids show up, as they come in early to set up the site before campers start rolling in. As children start to roll in, Shawn and Patrick are responsible for getting the kids comfortable and doing a headcount to make sure every child is accounted for. As the day goes by, Patrick and Shawn continue to supervise the children, setting up games and activities for them, and making sure every one of them is properly engaged with the happenings of the camp.
Throughout the day, they offer snacks and lunch to the campers, providing them a time to eat while also providing both the campers and themselves a moment to relax and regain their energy. As the day starts to wind down, Shawn and Patrick start cleaning up the campsite for the next day, reflecting on what went well and what could’ve gone better.
It is summer camps like these that often act as a centrepiece of an entire community. They provide opportunities to everyone involved, from the kids gaining a safe space to enjoy their summer, to the teenagers and young adults gaining crucial work experience. Counsellors like Patrick and Shawn are imperative to running camps like TCH Islington smoothly, as their dedication and hard work are what make TCH Islington what it is, representing the spirit of Focus On Youth.
VIDEO RECAP:
SUMMARY:
Organization:
Toronto Community Housing – Camp Inspire
Location:
Toronto Community Housing
2063 Islington Ave
Etobicoke, ON M9P 2R7
July 4th-August 8th
9:00-4:00
Contact Information:
ActiveLiving@torontohousing.ca
Website:
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