The Aspen Ranch Canada science and art summer camps’ popularity has not waned over the years.
Quite the opposite — demand for the programs has actually grown to the point that plans are in place to double up capacity for next year.
“We’ll have two science camps and two art camps,” said Dante Muzzo, program facilitator and former science teacher.
This year’s programs were held a bit later in July than in the past to avoid scheduling conflicts with other camps in the area, and as always they were each fully booked with 20 students well in advance, with others on a waiting list, he said.
Because of continued growth in demand, efforts will remain ongoing to seek sponsorship support to help fund the camps, which cost the organization about $250 per child to put on, although families are not charged a cent, he said.
“We’re hoping by way of private donations and corporate and business donations to meet those targets,” he said.
“Our camp is free to attend,” he said, adding that early registration — which typically starts in February — is the only caveat.
The ranch is located about 20 minutes away from Sundre on the north side of Highway 587 east of Highway 22, and boasts a variety of naturally diverse landscapes.
Originally started about 20 years ago to provide an opportunity for Calgary students to go on a field trip for environmental science studies, the camp has since evolved and over the past 10 years has catered to people in the region who are so inclined to sign up their children, said Muzzo.
The Minds in Motion science camp is made possible courtesy of a partnership with the University of Calgary, while local artist Debbie McIvor instructs the art program, he said.
“There’s obviously a need for it,” he said when asked about the importance of ensuring the camp’s continued longevity.
“We’re getting a new batch of kids every time.”
But there is also a handful of youths who return from summer to summer, and given the economic state of the time, affordable options help accommodate everybody, he said.
They include families such as the Saunderses, whose children Kourtin, 8, and Kashlyn, 10, attended both the science and art camps.
“I liked drawing sea monsters,” said Kashlyn, who enjoyed the art camp but also had fun learning some science, which this year featured a focus on technology. Although she had previously participated in the art camp, she had never attended the science camp.
“We made a robotic hand,” she said, describing a cardboard construct with strings attached to each finger that when pulled on articulated individual digits.
Kourtin, who had never attended either camp, also had fun, and said he enjoyed making ant traps.
“Every day they came home with something new and neat. Every day they came back happy,” said mom Lana, who wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the camps.
The high quality of the summer camps increases their appeal, said Muzzo, and the fact that these programs consistently fill up many weeks in advance is a good indication that demand persists, he added.
The science and art camps each run for a week, and children are bused in daily and do not stay overnight, he said.
“We do have a bus service for them should the parents not be able to drive them out.”
However, there are also other programs that run year-round with the option to stay overnight, he added. Visit www.aspenranchcanada.com for more information.
