CAMP OrKidstra 2023: building community through mentorship and play!
A special thank you to the Ottawa Community Foundation for your support of CAMP OrKidstra 2023 and to the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation for you support of OrKidstra’s Leaders in Training Program!
CAMP OrKidstra, part of the The Anne Taylor Summer Program, took place from July 4-14 and was full of adventure! The first week’s camp invited our older students to grow their leadership skills through OrKidstra’s “Leaders in Training” (LiT) program. During the second week, the older students (LiTs) put their mentorship skills into practice by helping younger campers and staff throughout the week. At CAMP, OrKidstra students benefited from individual and group music lessons as well as special workshops, community service events and recreational outings, including “OrKidstra’s Wheels on the Bus“!
During the mornings, campers participated in a variety of musical activities (rehearsals, performances, workshops, etc.). In the afternoons, campers enjoyed participated in a diverse range of fun and educational workshops, games, and activities, such as t-shirt decorating, musical improv, learning new music and instruments, team-building exercises and of course, refreshing water balloon games on a hot summer’s day!
On July 13, CAMP OrKidstra students showcased their musical talents for their loved ones during our “Play and Tell” event at our Vanier Hub. This showcase featured all CAMP OrKidstra participants on stage in performances by the KidStarters, KidSingers, KidPlayers, and KidStringers. A show highlight was the Senior Winds performing a beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”. Between performances, select campers took the mic at centerstage and revealed what their favourite camp memories were; what they learned, what they loved, and the friendships they made. After the showcase, students and their loved ones got to mix and mingle while enjoying an assortment tasty desserts.
On the final day of CAMP, we visited the Canadian Museum of History. Guided by staff and our LiTs, the campers explored the various exhibits before delving into the wonders of the Canadian Children’s Museum. As each checkpoint in the museum was visited, LiTs helped the students in their group fill in their “museum passports” and answered their many, many questions with such enthusiasm! Seeing the older students take on the responsibilities of mentorship, guiding, teaching and inspiring their younger peers throughout CAMP was so rewarding. It was encouraging to see the younger students grow so quickly, both musically and personally, through interacting with the LiTs and our amazing Teaching Artists.
CAMP OrKidstra was a huge success and we have our incredible donors to thank! The camp’s focus on mentorship was palpable and we know each student left with fun-filled memories to last a lifetime. We look forward to seeing all these students again in the fall – some as experienced mentors, and some playing an instrument for the very first time!
“We help one another. We are one big family!” 💜
CAMP OrKidstra is part of the Anne Taylor Summer Program. Anne Taylor was a member of OrKidstra’s Board of Directors who passed away in the summer of 2014. For Anne, OrKidstra was a perfect fit, combining her abiding passion for children’s education with her deep love of music; OrKidstra established the program in her memory.
CAMP OrKidstra 2023 Gallery