Camp

Unfortunately, we do not currently offer March Break/PA Day Camps.

Virtual Ventures strives to offer a variety of leading STEM based camps. With the exception of the Engineering Camp which is purely off-computers, our summer camps involve both on computer activities (programming, computer animation, website design, 2D/3D graphics) as well as off-computer activities on topics in engineering.

Our camps are held on the Carleton University campus, primarily in the Minto Centre, MacKenzie Building, and Canal Building.

Parking passes will be emailed in the Camp Package 2 weeks before the start of the camp.

Upon entering Minto Centre lobby for pick-up, a board with the camp list and their respective rooms will be accessible. Volunteers will also be waiting in the lobby to help you find the room.

If you did not receive a confirmation package, you can log in to your Online Account using the username and password you created during registration to verify your registration. Some e-mail accounts do not recognize Virtual Ventures e-mail addresses, so you should also check your spam mail. To change weeks or add extended care option to your registration, please call our office at 613-520-2600 x5007 or e-mail vv@carleton.ca

The Extended Care Program offers before and after camp care for campers at an additional cost.

Extended AM: Campers can  be dropped off starting at 8am. (Regular 4pm pick-up in the afternoon)

Extended PM: Campers can  be picked up until 5pm. (Regular 9am drop-off in the morning)

Extended AM&PM: The Extended Program allows campers to be dropped off from 8 am and picked up until 5 pm.

To change weeks or add extended care option to your registration, please e-mail vv@carleton.ca or call our office at 613-520-2600 x5007.  We also have a debit/credit machine located in the office. You can drop by the office on the first day of camp to purchase extended care.

No, we do not offer swimming. Lunch time sports are encouraged and equipment is provided, however participation is not enforced. Campers go outside at lunch and take breaks during the day as necessary.

Our instructor to camper ratio depends on the age group of the campers.
Grades 1-2: ratio of 1:7
Grades 3-4: ratio of 1:8,
Grades 5-6: ratio of 1:9,
Grades 7-11: ratio of 1:10.
Volunteers also accompany Instructors during camp time, so the ratio is lower.

We require all of our instructors to be trained in Emergency First Aid and CPR. Our instructors also have inclusion training (for children with disabilities), and complete WHMIS training through Carleton University.

All our instructors are HIGH FIVE certified as well as trained in fire safety and equity.

Camp divisions follow grade levels so campers are with their peers. For this reason we do not move campers up grade levels. Instructors develop their curriculum to cater to all campers, regardless of their previous knowledge of computers and technology.

Although many of our activities are computer based, our campers spend recess outside (weather permitting). The younger campers take more frequent breaks throughout the day. Our engineering camps are all off computers. Also, some workshops and projects are off the computer (for example: electronics, engineering challenges, and LEGO.)

Camp runs from 9 am – 4 pm for most campers, while children registered in the extended program arrive as early as 8 am and stay as late as 5 pm.

Drop-off: Will be mailed in your Camp Package that will be sent out 2 weeks before camp starts.

Pick-Up:  In the camp rooms for regular pick-up.  Extended Care will be at a different location mentioned in the Camp Package.

Campers are allowed cell phones for emergencies, and keeping in touch with parents. However, campers should not be using cell phones or other devices during camp hours. Instructors will take devices if campers are using them at inappropriate times. Virtual Ventures also cannot take any responsibility for lost or stolen devices.

The camps do repeat the same curriculum weekly. We also offer specialty camps on specific weeks that cover a more specific topic. For more information, contact the Camp that pertains to you.

Virtual Ventures summer camps are independent of other Carleton University camps and we do not share the same accounts or registration databases. Registration cannot be switched from another camp to another.

We offer a bursary program for those that qualify. Bursary applications can be completed as part of the online application process. For more information please visit the Bursary section of this website.

Virtual Venture’s Girls Camps are created to increase female participation, especially in the Virtual Ventures Senior camps. The aim is to increase awareness of and participation in technology and engineering for girls.

STEM Girls Senior has an optional sleepover at Carleton on the Thursday night as part of camp. During the sleepover the girls will stay at Carleton and sleep in the University Residence. Right after camp they will head over to the Carleton University pool for a swim. They will then go to an engineering workshop, followed by some free time.

The girls will have two meals in the Carleton University Residence Cafeteria; Thursday night dinner and Friday morning breakfast. The Cafeteria is an all you can eat buffet and can accommodate most diets. Please let the instructors know if you have any dietary concerns or questions.

Both instructors will be with the girls at all times providing supervision, they will also be staying with the girls at the residence as well.   The girls will know which rooms the instructors will be in and how to contact them in case of emergencies.

Please note the girls are not allowed to leave their rooms after lights out.  The instructors will be very strict about this policy and if any girls are caught leaving their rooms they will be sent home.  This is for their safety and for the safety of the rest of the camp.

Please pack:

• Bathing suit, towel
• A reusable water bottle
• Comfy pyjamas
• A sweatshirt (the residence can be cold)
• Clothes for Friday
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush,…)
• Any medication that you need to have (ie. asthma puffer, EpiPen)

Optional:

• Snacks for Thursday night
• Stuffed animal or pillow
• A book or quiet game

Please do not bring :

• Any noise making electronics (ie. speakers), as there are other people in the residence.
• Cell phones, or other expensive electronics (we cannot be held liable if these items are lost or stolen)

To cancel a camp, please contact us by email (vv@carleton.ca) or call us at 613-520-2600 x5007. We will cancel the weeks of camp you request. Our cancellation policy indicates that a $50 fee applies for camp cancellation up to June 14, and $100 from June 15 to 1 week prior to camp start date. After that, we can no longer offer refunds.

You may also transfer the money you have already deposited for the camp onto a credit on your account at no fee, which can be used for future Virtual Ventures camps.