BOTS Community Connections

Stay tuned for our 2022 Events Calendar – Coming soon!

Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu – (A person is a person because of other people)

Education Day with Bring on the Sunshine! – March Break 2022

Mark a great day of education and programming your calendars. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Africa Camp

We know who we are, we know where we are from, but our kids have no idea who they are. They even wish they were white like their friends.

What Happens at Camp?

Children coming to Africa Camp participate in learning about Africa and African Culture through a range of activities from people with lived experience of both worlds. Dance, music, stories, sports, games and crafts, all focus on the constructive use of time as children learn to use their own using creativity to entertain and communicate.

Developmental assets included in the camp program are: Interpersonal and Social Competencies, Positive Values of Integrity. Equality and Social Justice are components of the camp program through the value of “Growing up Global” encouraging children and youth to become responsible global citizens.

Where did Camp start?

Ten years ago we set out to provide African kids with abundant reasons for them to be proud and confident of their heritage. Bring on the Sunshine initiated the camp and invited the African Canadian Association of Waterloo and Region (ACAWRA) and the University of Waterloo African Students Association (UWASA) to partner in delivering early camps.

Our camps have been a wonderful mixture of music, creativity, dance, storytelling, mentoring, modeling, crafts and celebration. Over the years our programming and attendance has grown, while many of our kids have matured. Today, some who first joined as campers are making their way into leadership roles at the camp, with all the challenges that can bring.

About Africa Camp

Youth Away Day 2021 (Ages 13-18 Years)

Planning for teen camp/ youth away day is well underway. In line with our education programs theme “Black History is African History is World History” we want to care for our mental health and connect with the land. Youth Away Day is open to youth ages 13-18.

The youth will get time to reconnect with each other while exploring how to grow plants and enjoy the outdoors. Our time together will be full of activities such as a mural art project, archery (hunting), fishing, African dance, music & wisdom circle, and much more.

Numbers will be limited as we are diligent in staying in line with COVID protocols. We will send out a COVID pre-screen the day before camp and teens will be split into groups and assigned a camp leader for the day.

Africa Camp ( 6-12 years)

Africa Camp is open for children 6-12years to attend with lots of fun Africa themed activities such as art, drumming, dancing, soccer, story time and more. Kids above 13 who have been to Africa Camp in prior years are welcome to come and be camp leaders.

Camp will be 7th and 14th of August at an outdoor location. Numbers will be limited and COVID protocols enforced email education@bringonthesunshine.ca for more details.

Volunteers

Volunteer to be a team leader or be a part of the planning team if you have more time to give. Vulnerable sector police check will be done for those caring for minors. Volunteer with us HERE

Why Camp?

Africa Camp has been a one week day camp that has been running since 2010 and has seen numbers grow from 12 campers to over 60, with an adjacent young leaders program that offers training and support to the youth who work at several camps through out the region. An important part of camp is developing youth leaders, so that every level of camper can see themselves reflected in the Camp Directors, youth leadership and guests. Because you have to grow roots before you can grow wings!

Africa Culture Camp is aimed at promoting healthy communities using arts to promote self-esteem and an understanding of diverse cultures and identities. Most years, it is a one-week, day camp open to Black children, children of African descent and to families who would like their children to have a diverse cultural experiences.