Community Roots Day Camp: Wolfville
JULY 8-12: 9AM-3PM
Connecting with ourselves, one another, our community and God.
That’s what Community Roots Day Camp is all about! Our theme this summer is INSIDE and OUT. We will spend time exploring and learning about ourselves, our world, and God.
Our camp will reflect our community of Wolfville. We will follow a rhythm each day filled with worship, story telling, exploring, creating, discovering, and playing. Community members will teach us new things and provide activities. We will have opportunities to walk about the community and perhaps visit the splash pad. There will be lots of time for fun and games!
This camp is for our community and so is FREE to attend and open to children aged 6-12. No church affiliation is expected or required - all are welcome!
That’s what Community Roots Day Camp is all about! Our theme this summer is INSIDE and OUT. We will spend time exploring and learning about ourselves, our world, and God.
Our camp will reflect our community of Wolfville. We will follow a rhythm each day filled with worship, story telling, exploring, creating, discovering, and playing. Community members will teach us new things and provide activities. We will have opportunities to walk about the community and perhaps visit the splash pad. There will be lots of time for fun and games!
This camp is for our community and so is FREE to attend and open to children aged 6-12. No church affiliation is expected or required - all are welcome!
Interested? Great! Click the button below to register your child.
Meet the Staff!
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Sophie Ashton
Program Architect My name is Sophie Ashton, and I am so happy to be returning as a Program Architect with Community Roots this year! I am from Halifax, Nova Scotia and currently a student at Acadia University in Wolfville, where I am completing a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in psychology. In my free time, I love reading, writing, and taking any excuse to go on long walks outdoors. After working with Community Roots in 2022, I am so excited to be back to spend the summer working with Leah and Allie, and connecting with communities across the diocese to have some super fun weeks of camp! |
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Leah Marshall
Program Architect My name is Leah Marshall and I grew up on a small sheep farm in rural Alberta. I come from a lively big family and have worked with children’s ministry most of my life in my home parish. After studying psychology, I had the opportunity to work in the UK with a project supporting university student mental health and in Nova Scotia with children and family ministry. When I’m not reading or playing board games with friends, I enjoy hiking and travelling. This summer I am so excited to be returning as an architect for the Community Roots Day Camps. As an architect I will be working alongside Sophie to offer training to volunteers and create and facilitate the camp programs in each participating community. Camp has been such a meaningful part of my own childhood. I really appreciate getting to know each child and volunteer in their unique local contexts. This summer I am especially looking forward to the games and arts & crafts! |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are you able to accommodate children with disabilities?
Acknowledging that there is a wide range of disabilities, this answer will be pretty general, so if you have specific concerns, get in touch with Allie at [email protected].
As much as possible, we hold our camps in accessible buildings, and will work to ensure barrier free access is possible. We can also tailor camp activities to suit the physical abilities of campers. St. John's has a ramp-entry and a disability friendly washroom.
Unfortunately, it is beyond our capacity (both in terms of the number of people available and the training of staff and volunteers) to provide one-on-one support for children who need a significant amount of support. That being said, we are more than happy to work with support people who are able to accompany children to camp to offer that support.
We strive for our program to be as accessible as possible, so please don't hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions or there is anything we can do to make camp work for your child.
As much as possible, we hold our camps in accessible buildings, and will work to ensure barrier free access is possible. We can also tailor camp activities to suit the physical abilities of campers. St. John's has a ramp-entry and a disability friendly washroom.
Unfortunately, it is beyond our capacity (both in terms of the number of people available and the training of staff and volunteers) to provide one-on-one support for children who need a significant amount of support. That being said, we are more than happy to work with support people who are able to accompany children to camp to offer that support.
We strive for our program to be as accessible as possible, so please don't hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions or there is anything we can do to make camp work for your child.
Are you able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies?
Yes. We provide snacks and are happy to work with parents or guardians to ensure that all snacks are appropriate for their child if there are any dietary concerns. For full day camps, campers bring their own lunches, and we will communicate any relevant information about allergies to all parents and guardians to ensure campers are as safe as possible.
Do i need to be connected to the church to participate?
Nope! All children are welcome to participate in our camps regardless of what their past experience of church has been.
It is worth noting though, that this is an explicitly Christian camp. We start and end each day with worship, and our camp theme is rooted in the stories of the Christian tradition. We are open to and respect the beliefs (no lack thereof!) of others, are super open to questions, and won't ask anyone to commit their life to Christ, or tell them that they need to be redeemed from their sin, but we won't shy away from talking about God. If you have any questions or concerns about this, don't hesitate to be in touch at [email protected].
It is worth noting though, that this is an explicitly Christian camp. We start and end each day with worship, and our camp theme is rooted in the stories of the Christian tradition. We are open to and respect the beliefs (no lack thereof!) of others, are super open to questions, and won't ask anyone to commit their life to Christ, or tell them that they need to be redeemed from their sin, but we won't shy away from talking about God. If you have any questions or concerns about this, don't hesitate to be in touch at [email protected].
How are staff and volunteers screened and trained?
All staff and volunteers are screened in accordance with our Diocesan SafeR Church Policy and the SafeR Church Plan of the local parish. While the specifics may vary from place to place, this screening always includes a Police Records Check with Vulnerable Sector check and often includes an interview and reference checks.
All staff and volunteers complete the following training:
In addition to this, camp staff provide ongoing supervision of all volunteers.
All staff and volunteers complete the following training:
- An online module on SafeFaith, which is focused on abuse awareness and prevention
- An online module on Healthy Boundaries for Children's Ministry
- A workshop focused specifically on the week of camp, including best practices and risk manangement measures.
In addition to this, camp staff provide ongoing supervision of all volunteers.
How does Community Roots work?
The Community Roots Day Camp Program hires a staff team who plan a week-long day camp program, and then we work in collaboration with local churches and volunteers to facilitate the program in communities throughout Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
What makes this different from Vacation Bible Schools or other day camps?
While there are many details that set us apart, there really are two main things.
The first is that every piece of camp is about wondering and exploring. We don't just tell campers a bible story and then exactly what it means, but offer a story and then wonder about it together. In a similar way, our art and science projects also invite campers to think creatively and imagine what might happen. Kid's imaginations are magic, and we encourage them to tap into them as much as possible.
The second is that we really tailor each week of the program to the community that the camp is happening in. This looks different in different places, but some examples from past camps include:
We also focus on encouraging relationships between campers and between campers and volunteers, helping them to make meaningful connections with one another. We believe that by encouraging these community connections, we strengthen the relationships that campers have with their local community, and with the people in it, which helps campers feel rooted in their community, and the stronger those connections are, the healthier our communities will be!
The first is that every piece of camp is about wondering and exploring. We don't just tell campers a bible story and then exactly what it means, but offer a story and then wonder about it together. In a similar way, our art and science projects also invite campers to think creatively and imagine what might happen. Kid's imaginations are magic, and we encourage them to tap into them as much as possible.
The second is that we really tailor each week of the program to the community that the camp is happening in. This looks different in different places, but some examples from past camps include:
- An elder from the community coming to share their experience of life in that place over a number of decades.
- Going to a nearby splashpad.
- Visiting local artisans.
- Baking cookies with a baker from the community.
- Checking out a museum.
- Helping out at a food bank.
- Visiting local fire department or community organization
We also focus on encouraging relationships between campers and between campers and volunteers, helping them to make meaningful connections with one another. We believe that by encouraging these community connections, we strengthen the relationships that campers have with their local community, and with the people in it, which helps campers feel rooted in their community, and the stronger those connections are, the healthier our communities will be!
Who Supervises and leads campers?
We maintain a maximum ratio of 1 adult leader for every 5 campers. The leaders are volunteers from the local church community. Camp staff will be on site as well, and they are in addition to those leaders so we have some backup in case something comes up and a leader isn't able to make it one day.
Where Does the Camp take place?
At St. John's Anglican Church, 164 Main St., Wolfville.
We've got lots of indoor and outdoor space - and we're planning a couple of neighbourhood field trips during the week too!
We've got lots of indoor and outdoor space - and we're planning a couple of neighbourhood field trips during the week too!
You can also head to the Diocesan website for more information:
Want to Volunteer? Amazing!
Community Roots Day Camp is run by staff from the Diocese, and programming is organised by the Diocese as well. But we still need help! Volunteers help with welcoming & registration, providing daily healthy snacks, run activities, and offer leadership through a caring presence while participating alongside children!
Sounds like the role for you? Sign up with the diocese below:
Sounds like the role for you? Sign up with the diocese below:
You can help in so many ways – a couple hours, ½ day, 1 day, or all week!
An information session and training will be provided at a later date.
