Photos of the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College 2004 Activity Camps convinced Nicole Parsons this was the challenge she was looking for.

The former photo technician was tasked last summer with printing some of the camp pictures delivered weekly to a local photo lab. “The kids would have these huge grins on their faces and their arms around each other. You could tell they were happy,” she said. “I could see the number of kids that come to the camps and that they were having fun.”

Intrigued, the second-year nursing student applied and was selected to co-ordinate the college's 2005 camps, which give children a unique summer experience. “I'm looking forward to the camps starting and everything getting under way,” said Ms. Parsons.

Exploring the mysteries of the ocean, learning to kayak, rock climb, shoot hoops and make cool works of art are all a part of the camps held June 27-Aug. 12 for children aged five to eight, and nine to 12 - with a few variations for older teenagers.

The Triathlon Camp is open to youth aged eight to 18; Basketball Camp welcomes players between 13 and 18; and the Digital Photography Camp is for 11 to 15 year olds. All camps, including Sports Camp, Kid Camp, Junior Basketball, Cool Creations, Dance and Drama, Environmental Explorers, Survivor and Little Survivor have an educational as well a recreational component that includes time in the college pool.

“All activities, games, and learning objectives are suited for the age group and their level of participation, but we also want the campers to experience new things,” explained Ms. Parsons. “A five year old doesn't usually have a lot of experience with different forms of art, like sculpting, nor do they get to tour an art gallery. During our art camp they do both those things.”

Each camp of between 20 to 25 campers is led by an individual knowledgeable in that field. Local artist Chris Short will oversee Cool Creations; Dance Studio West and Visual Arts graduate Anna Elkins will coordinate the dance component of the Dance and Drama Camp; George Dolomont, physical education teacher at Presentation Junior High, will coordinate the Sports Camp, and Todd Aughey, coach of the Memorial University Seahawks, will lead the Senior Basketball Camp.

New this summer is a lunch service for participants. Campers will receive a T-shirt and a camp photo. Some camps invite parents to attend a celebratory event at the end of the week.

And while some Activity Camps are full, others do have space available. Registration deadline is June 17. For more information, contact the Division of Community Education and College Relations at (709) 637-6208 or commeduc@swgc.mun.ca.