PROFILE: Family Resource Centre – St. Bernadette

St. Bernadette’s children’s programs offer a safe, supervised space where children aged 18 months to 12 years, including those with special needs, can learn, play, and build important life skills. These programs aim to provide relief for parents through services like St. Bernadette’s Daycare, We Need a Break School Readiness, Breakfast Club, After School Club, Summer Camp, and Little Angel’s Corner. Each is designed to support families while helping reduce the emotional, physical, and financial pressures that parents often face.

At St. Bernadette, our FOY camp counsellors, Angelina Mancuso and Kevin Kenney, play a vital role in creating a welcoming, safe, and activity-filled space for campers aged 6–12. Working from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, they guide games, lead crafts, and field trips, helping to ensure each camper feels included and excited to participate. Whether indoors, building marshmallow towers, or outside playing Freeze Tag, campers are encouraged to explore new interests, build friendships, and, most importantly, have fun!

The day begins with camper arrival around 9:00 AM. Angelina and Kevin greet each child and help them settle in with quiet activities like Uno, Go Fish, drawing, or Lego. Around 9:30, they gather in a circle to review the daily schedule and kick things off with a short “Would You Rather” warm-up game that gets everyone laughing and engaged. Next comes outdoor play. The campers usually dive into a game of Freeze Tag or Octopus. Some children take a break from the action to draw with chalk or blow bubbles in the shade.

By 10:00 AM, everyone headed indoors for snack time, which included Goldfish crackers, apple slices, and juice. Kevin usually hands out snacks while Angelina helps to maintain hygiene and cleanliness, ensuring a smooth and organized environment. At 10:30, the focus shifts to creative activities and fun interactions. On this particular day, the camp took a field trip to Laser Tag at Playtime. Everyone was very competitive and energetic. Lunch takes place under the shade outside, accompanied by light music and fun conversations. After eating, the campers will play another short game, such as Duck, Duck, Goose.

In the early afternoon, everyone heads inside for quieter games like Heads Up and “Guess the Animal.” The campers play while Angelina and Kevin help some campers clean up the art shelf and organize the play bins. Another snack follows at around 2:00 PM. Campers will sit together in the classroom, sharing fun facts and jokes. A few even take the initiative of lending a helping hand with napkins and wiping tables.

The day wraps up outdoors. Some kids preferred cooling off by water painting on the pavement or sitting in the shade with bubbles. At 4:00 PM, the campers make a reflection circle to debrief with the counsellors. Campers will share their favourite parts of the day, whether it was a game, activity, or snack, and many offer to help clean up before heading home.

Focus on Youth often works with organizations to provide external placement opportunities for FOY staff. Thanks to the energy and care of counsellors like Angelina and Kevin, campers at St. Bernadette enjoy a supportive, joyful environment where they can grow, play, and thrive every day.