Camp Aspire: A Summer Success!

From July 17-24 of 2023, Christ Church Cathedral, in collaboration with St. Anselm’s, UBC Endowment Lands hosted, Aspire Bible Camp, a summer day camp for kids from across the Lower Mainland. The camp was open to children aged 5-11. Twenty-six children came to learn, explore, and create. 

This was the first regional day camp offered in the Diocese of New Westminster for many years. This new approach to the vacation bible school concept aims to bring a high-quality summer day camp experience. The collaborative model takes the pressure off smaller parishes attempting such an undertaking, while providing high-quality, sustainable, and safe childcare for children in the summer months.

Home base for Aspire was the Synod Office and St. John’s, Shaughnessy (SJS), two diocesan entities that share a property footprint even though each has a different address on Nanton Avenue. Worship and morning Storytime took place in the SJS sanctuary with the group also making use of the Sunday School in the basement. That room was set up with various workstations, including a cozy reading nook, a play area with trains and blocks, and a mural wall. Snacks and quiet time were enjoyed in the Trendell Lounge, the large gathering space shared by the Synod office and SJS. We made good use of the covered walkways with craft tables, sidewalk chalk and other curriculum-based activities. The green space between the Synod Office and SJS provided an excellent play space that became competitive parachute tents, a huge tarp ocean, bug observatory and mega slip and slide. 

Monday, the first day of the camp, kicked off with the story of Creation. The story was followed by space-themed activities such as creating Galaxy canvas prints and soothing glitter calm jars for moments of relaxation. Super nova-style tie dye Aspire t-shirts were made, and the group managed to avoid too many spills! 

On Tuesday the focus shifted to land and plants. Francis Hart D'Emilio representing the Salal and Cedar worshipping community led one of the curriculum boxes focusing on trees. The group then headed to the park to make Cyanotypes, (for those who don’t know, Cyanotypes are one of the oldest photographic printing processes. The distinctive feature of the print is its shade of cyan blue, which results from its exposure to ultraviolet light. When the blueprint emerged, cyanotypes were traditionally used for reproducing the technical drawings of architects and engineers until the arrival of photocopy machines.). The result was stunning blue artwork made from plant leaves. More leaves and twigs were collected to make a bug hotel. After lunch, we made terrariums and enjoyed exploring the plants and bugs in the garden. 

Wednesday’s theme was animals, with a focus on Noah's Ark through games and activities. The children created birdhouses and enjoyed a quiet afternoon with a movie and snacks.

Thursday was water day. It featured a Godly Play story of Jonah and the Whale. There were underwater themed parachute games, and much fun was had crafting underwater blue slime. In the afternoon there were water games, relay races, slip and slide, and even popsicles. Everyone got very wet, but dried quickly in the sun. 

Finally, on Friday, we focused on human beings and caring for the world. From the Godly Play story "Great Family" the children learned about interconnectedness. We took polaroid photos of the Aspire participants, which were then used to create cards to be sent to loved ones. After lunch, we had a dance party with music, games, ice cream and as a special treat, a piñata which the older children had been working on. The younger children took much glee destroying said piñata and enjoying the treats within. 

Throughout the week, various people helped with the daily stories and activities: the Reverend Rob James, the Reverend Karin Fulcher, Maggie Sanders, Cristalle Watson, Susan Koppersmith, Francis Hart D'Emilio, and Aspire staff members, Allegra Calabrigo, Niel Jongbloed, Lynn Choi, Jay Walton and Brianna Parlongo. On behalf of the organizers of Aspire I would also like to thank the Rev. Terry Dirbas, Elias Neto, Reagan Gorman, Shailene Caparas, the Rev. Tellison Glover and the Rev. Jessica Schaap for their logistical support on-site. Everyone’s support helped make the camp a tremendous success. As we bid farewell to this year's Aspire Bible Camp, we eagerly anticipate even more adventures and discoveries next year!

IMAGES
In the top scroll a good assortment of photos covering the five days of Aspire Camp.

With thanks for Photos from: Lauren Odile Pinkney, Alex Wilson, Allegra Calabrigo, Lynn Choi and Michael Dirk.