Nurturing in young people a lifelong passion for learning and creativity, Aspen Ranch Canada’s annual summer programs remain popular after almost 20 years.
Camp administrator Dante Muzzo, a former teacher who has been involved with the initiative since the beginning, said the free-of-charge art and science weeklong day camps are typically fully registered shortly after being advertised.
“We’ve been pretty busy,” said Muzzo.
“We were happy to again be able to run the summer camps.”
The art camp was facilitated courtesy of local artist Debbie McIvor, while the science program, dubbed Minds in Motion, was made possible in partnership with University of Calgary graduate students, he said.
“They’re very well versed in their fields. We’re fortunate to have them come out and help us.”
Additionally, there are two, independently run off-campus First Nations programs delivered through Indigenous leaders and members, who also include students from that community, he said.
Located approximately 20 minutes north of Sundre, the Aspen Ranch camp’s surrounding environment offers an opportunity to connect with nature. Transportation was again provided this year to bring some of the Sundre children to and from the site. The science camp ran July 15-19, with the art program taking place the following week from July 22-26, he said, adding each program had an average of about two dozen children participating.
The goal is to maintain a roughly 10:1 student-to-instructor ratio to ensure the children receive the attention they require to remain more engaged without ending up potentially distracted or daydreaming, he said.
“One instructor for 20 to 30 kids isn’t enough,” he said, adding the lower the ratio, the higher the potential for success.
Speaking from his past experience as a teacher, he said results speak for themselves when governments provide enough funding for more educators to reduce large class sizes.
To be more successful, he said the programs focus on a realistic approach to teaching that blends facts with fun.
“We want them to learn while having a good experience,” he said.
“When they come to camp, we remind them it’s not just to do activities but to make friends too.”
The idea, he said, is to not only foster opportunities for the children to learn and be creative, but also to help them grow socially in a fun environment.
The summer programs do not receive any grants and are almost exclusively community-driven, mostly through volunteer fundraising efforts. That includes an active parent group, called Camps for Children Educational Association, as well as individual donations that are complemented by some major corporate contributions from companies such as Shell, he said.
Although that company’s recent decision to sell its assets in the area has left uncertainty in terms of future contributions, Muzzo optimistically expressed confidence that community support would continue to ensure the program’s success.
“I think we’ll be OK,” he said.
“However, it might not be that far into the future that we might have to consider a registration fee.”
In the summer camp programs’ nearly 20-year history, the Aspen Ranch Outdoor Education Centre — which is a registered not-for-profit group — has never charged a fee, and Muzzo hopes that track record stays the course. Involved since the start when the camp was introduced as a venue for students to pursue ecosystem studies outside the classroom, he to this day remains enthusiastic. Not only about imparting knowledge and sparking a lifelong passion for learning with the next generations so they are unafraid of change, but especially seeing those eureka moments when a child’s face lights up after understanding a new concept.
Ideally, the kids will be so busy having fun learning that they won’t think of the lessons and projects as having to go to school during the summer, he said.
Muzzo also enjoys working with the community, including parent volunteers, and hopes to remain involved for the foreseeable future.
“I’ll continue as long as the support is there and age allows.”
He might well get his wish, seeing as interest in the summer camps has not waned.
“It’s a really good program,” said Jennifer Jackson, whose 11-year-old daughter Grace Atkinson attended this year’s art camp.
“Grace comes home excited about a new project” every day of the camp, she said.
Soon starting Grade 6 at River Valley School, Grace said she learned “a whole bunch of cool art tips” and added “we did some new projects every day that normally you wouldn’t do at school.”
Grace said she also learned never to leave a paintbrush soaking in water or thinning solution for a long period of time, as this can damage the brush.
“You have to store it properly,” she said.
Additionally, Grace said she was introduced to some watercolour painting techniques.
Last year was the first time she attended the summer art camp, and this year’s experience only cemented her desire to return again next year.
“There’s so many cool art projects that you do, and it keeps you busy too,” she said, adding she also made a couple of new friends.
Hayden Young, 10, also participated last year and was excited for the chance to attend both camps this year.
“She’s really enjoyed it,” said her mom Kari Young, praising the instructors.
“It’s an amazing camp that’s run on donations,” she said, adding the family donates to the program “because I think it’s good for kids.”
Hayden said she mostly enjoys not only seeing her friends and making new ones, but also the opportunity to get creative.
“The art projects are really fun, every day is a different project,” said Hayden, adding she also had fun learning about the Earth and the stars.
Hayden said she “definitely” wants to come back, and added when asked whether she had words of advice for other children, “Just look for new friends, don’t worry if your painting is good or not. Just have fun!”
A group shot of the science camp. Submitted photo
A group shot of the art camp. Submitted photo
