Learning opportunities were abundant at Loyalist College throughout the summer months. The Summer Arts programs and Camps for Kids and Teens attracted people of all ages to the campus to take advantage of the wide selection of fun and informative programming lead by experienced professionals. Many had enjoyed the Loyalist experience in previous summers and returned to reunite with friends while taking advantage of the opportunity to brush-up and expand their skills.
Peggy Hartle is from Woodville. This was the fifth summer she enrolled in the Rug Hooking class. “The Summer Arts program at Loyalist is excellent. The instructors are helpful and informative and come prepared with a selection of great samples. I feel very comfortable and safe here and appreciate being able to use the residence and cafeteria facilities. It’s a very social learning environment that is provided at an affordable price — I am very thankful for that.”
This summer there were 40 Summer Arts classes offered at the Loyalist campus with others at Amherst Island, Bridgewater Retreat and in Prince Edward County — with a total of 436 students. Courses ranged from painting, to chair caning, to woodcarving — to writing novels. Participants made bentwood loveseats and perfected their spinning skills at an advanced level. Beginners, hobbyists and seasoned artists came to develop and refine their creativity with respected and professional instructors.
Over 500 participated in the kids and teens summer programs and enjoyed camps that included themes such as sewing, drama, art, science and sports. The choice was a difficult one as there were 36 options — with some attending a number of camps throughout the summer.
“The Advantage Sports Basketball Camp at the college was a great way for me to improve my skills and have fun during the summer,” said Sydney Moorman, a Bayside Secondary School student. “This is the third year that I’ve attended and I always gain so much from the coaches here — Jim Buck and Kevin McGuire coached separate lessons giving us guidance in different areas that we were really able to build upon. It’s a great way to meet new people and play against those with skills we may not have been challenged by before. I’d definitely recommend this camp to others.”
A delegation of 26 teachers from Xuzhou College of Industrial Technology, People’s Republic of China, visited Loyalist for three weeks in August. The purpose of the visit was to provide the Chinese delegates with exposure to Canadian teaching, course design and delivery methodologies. The Chinese professors had an opportunity to explore Canadian teaching philosophies and participate in cultural experiences. This was the second year for this professional international exchange.
In addition to the laughter and learning, there was the excitement of watching the construction of the new Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre and the upper-year town-house residence complex. The college is now preparing to welcome new and returning post-secondary students to the campus as the fall semester gets underway.