The Youth Academy Summer Camps saw 241 youth from ages eight to 14 take part in summer camps offered across Campbell River, the Comox Valley, Port Alberni and Tofino.
The majority of those campers enroled in STEM programs, providing an opportunity to build hands-on skills in sciences, technology, engineering and math.
The young scientists presented their own robotic creations in the NICBot Camp Showcase, enjoyed fiery displays under the supervision of NIC science instructor Darren George during the Mad Scientist camp and learned the basics of coding in the Code-Con camps.
Other highlights included:
- The S.T.E.A.M Teens camps combining the exploration of art and design through technology
- Exploring the great outdoors with Comox Valley Search and Rescue in the Jr Adventure Guides camp
- An immersion French Language camp
None of this would have been possible without the support of generous sponsors, including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), NICBot Camp co-presenter NIDES, Shaw (title sponsor of the S.T.E.A.M. Teens and Code-Con camps), Browns Bay Packing, BC Hydro, Engineers & GeoScientists BC and the Hamber Foundation.
Ali Sandholm, NIC youth & community outreach liaison, said Youth Academy’s sponsors paved the way for an even busier summer in 2022.
“We just wrapped up a successful summer yet despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Sandholm said. “Thanks to our sponsors and our youth, parents and supporting adults, we had an amazing summer and we are very much looking forward to expanding our programming for next season.”
To learn more about NIC Youth Academy programs or to sign up for our email list to keep track of future opportunities, visit www.nic.bc.ca/programs/nic-youth-academy.
