Discussions

Hello,  
 
I need to know the following from parents who have had their children in summer camps at Mini University (B.U):  
 
For Ages 5-6 category and Ages 7-9 category:  
 
*Quality of program - are our kids learning a lot here, or just hanging out?  
 
*Quality of instructors - what age are the instructors? comfort level with and understanding of young children? discipline?  
 
*Time frames of program - 9-12 and 1-4, how have your kids handled these time frames?  
 
*Health concerns - if your child has a health concern that instructors need to be aware of, how do you find it was dealt with?  
 
*Did your kids like these themes? Outer space, tropical discovery, amazing race, mystery week, simply science, puppet pals, move 'n groove, dynamic designers etc?  
 
*Care - are children cared for in the way of water being available to them, weather-appropriate clothing ensured etc, no sharing lunches etc?  
 
*Concerns - what were your concerns, if any?  
 
 
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

we did it when our daughter was about 10 years old, she only did half days and she enjoyed it. The next year there was an influx of kids from reserves around Brandon, (I think due to flooding) it seemed unexpected, and it was more than the instructors could handle, it was fairly unorganized and the instructors struggled with it. We are considering it again this year, she is older and has a friend who wants to try it. Its a great program, the students who run it, are only students, they may not know how to discipline the kids who need it and become disruptive, but its just like any school, there are kids who disrupt, and kids who don''t.  
 
Edited by fuzzy slippers, 2016-05-24 07:50:58

has gone for the last 4 years and loves it. He is now 11. He started with half days and has even done two weeks some years. The day goes back fast, the week does actually and he's never had any complaints

We had discovered this a couple of years earlier!  
 
My kids had been going to the Y camps and I found them to be a bit disorganized and cookie cutter. (ie they always did a Minnedosa beach trip on the Thursday - but after the kids have done that once it was really boring, especially if kids were in multiple weeks)  
 
My son has gone to the Mini U for a couple of years now (he is 11) and he loves it.  
 
We too started him out in half days - then he wanted to stay on for full days like his new buddies did. He says they do lots of different things, and even though he chooses a lot of the computer based courses, there is still play time and a bit of exercise too. What I really like is how you can pick out four different courses if they go full days, and that gives them some great experiences. I make him choose at least one course of sports. He has done archery and I think he is doing badminton this year. I think they are pretty well planned - my son has never mentioned anything about just being allowed to hang around and do nothing, he always has lots to do and had learned quite a bit in his computer courses for a young kid.  
 
If I had one complaint at all it is the meal program. I think it is about 48 bucks a week?? And the food is not that rounded and healthy - a lot of fried stuff like tater tots and hot dogs. IMO that seems high for the quality of food they get. Though if I let my boy do two or three weeks I allow him that food program at least once because it is a part of the whole camp experience I figure.  
 
The counsellors seem pretty aware and well rounded. I have not seen any of our courses overfilled, they seem to have a good ratio of kids to staff. I can''t speak to your younger child, but I have watched while waiting and the small fries seem to have a great time too.  
 
As for health issues, I have only over heard the staff speaking about dietary restrictions, but they do seem to have decent systems in place to accommodate issues like allergies and such.  
 
We even did the Spring Break Mini U the one year.  
 
As for age of staff - they seem to be young adult for the most part. We have never heard of any behaviour issues in our experience, whereas I do recall a couple of instances at Y camps that counsellors either over reacted to situations or just did not handle issues well.  
 
I think you will not be disappointed in the programs they have to offer.  
 
Edited by foxtrot11, 2016-05-24 15:22:03