The Estevan campus of Southeast College wrapped up a lively summer of College for Kids camps, welcoming 106 young campers to explore creativity, science, and community.
Robin Sather-Boswall, Director of Strategic Development and Corporate Training, said the strong turnout showed how important the program has become for families in the community. “This year, summer camp was very busy because we had the camps in Estevan and in Weyburn. We had 67 campers in Weyburn, and we had 106 in Estevan. Every week, there was a different theme from Masterpiece Makers to Globetrotters to Junior Scientists. It was an exciting opportunity for the College to connect with kids in a fun way.”
The Estevan camps gave children ages six to twelve a chance to try hands-on activities tied to each theme. “Lots of camp was just more for getting their hands on what it is about our College as well,” said Sather-Boswall. “For the younger kids, it wasn’t about deciding what they want to be when they grow up yet; it was about letting them explore, learn new skills, and even just socialize with each other in a positive environment.”
One of the highlights came during Junior Scientists week, when robotics instructors introduced campers to building and programming at a level suited for their age. “We didn’t want to overwhelm them, but we wanted to give them a taste of what robotics can look like,” Sather-Boswall said. “It was incredible to see how quickly they picked things up when you got down to their level.”
Another standout activity in Estevan happened outside the classroom. “All the kids got to go make pizzas at a local restaurant in Estevan and bring them back to the camp,” Sather-Boswall said. “The dough was already made, but they still got to create their own pizzas and understand things like food handling skills. It was pretty neat to see the six to twelve-year-olds get their hands really dirty on stuff like that.”
The camps were led by summer students who are pursuing careers in teaching, giving them valuable classroom experience. Behind the scenes, longtime camp coordinator Jennifer Froese played a central role. “She’s been running them now for the past couple of years, and without her, these camps would not be successful,” Sather-Boswall said. “She is amazing at what she does.”
Planning for 2025 is expected to begin soon, as Southeast College reviews feedback from parents and campers to help shape next year’s lineup.