Dare to dream about summer camp with GNAG!

Mary Tsai
GNAG Executive Director

The GNAG Summer Camp team is very excited for a great season with your kids, full of fun, friendships and adventures. After a tough school year, this summer’s camp theme is “Dare to Dream with GNAG.” There is still space in some of our camps. We have introduced a few new offerings: Science, Dance, Art, Theatre, Tennis, Leadership, Rec and more. Financial assistance is available for families in need.

Meet our warm and wonderful summer coordinators – Cameron Davies, Erica Nowlan, Luke Geeves, Megan Strahl, Monty Rogers, Sophia Monahan, Will Tate and their dynamic team of camp staff will be working hard every day to ensure your children have the best summer ever. All our full-time managers will also be there in the middle of the action.

Though Summer Camp is not far away, we are still waiting for provincial guidelines on what rules and restrictions will apply to camp operations. Details, such as maximum cohort sizes and whether bus trips are allowed, are still undecided. Once we get more information, we will post any changes to our camps.

We are confident our current offerings will require very little change. We hope to expand numbers to accommodate some of the hundreds of children on our waitlists. In the meantime, we have set low enrolment and large camp spaces to allow for safe social distancing. With the high demand for childcare, we have expanded the number of camp offerings by renting out church spaces in the neighbourhood. Thank you so much to our community partners – Glebe St. James Tennis Club, Glebe St. James Church, St. Giles Church and St. Matthew’s Church.

The (GNAG) Studio – What is it? Where is it?

Come to camp in GNAG’s brand new space called The Studio at 174 First Avenue, the former home of KV Dance. Why do we call it The Studio? It’s because each room in this building will be used as a dance studio, art studio, acting studio, fitness studio and more.

At a time when GNAG is in such need for more space for camps, we are blessed with the good fortune of having amazing community-minded members like Kailena Van de Nes, Jason Lambert, Tracy Rait-Parkes and Scott Parkes.

Kailena, her partner Jason and the Rait-Parkes family have long histories with GNAG. Kailena was GNAG’s Dance Program Coordinator several years ago and grew the dance programs at the GCC. After moving on from GNAG, she opened her own studio, KV Dance, where thousands of dancers participated in her programs. Among her students were the three Parkes children – they grew up attending many camps and classes at GNAG and KV. I have personally known both families for many years.

As GNAG looked for more space, Kailena and Jason were in the process of selling 174 First to Scott and Tracy. When I reached out to everyone (while they were closing the sale) about the possibility of renting the space, it was like coming full circle.

This extra space will help us to meet the demand for additional programming for all ages over the next 14 months, including summer camps and an expansion of our after-school care programs and our youth programs.

I want to personally thank Kailena and Jason for supporting GNAG in the transition during the closing of the sale and for connecting us with Tracy and Scott. And a big thank you to Scott and Tracy for giving us the opportunity to rent 174 First Avenue for the next 14 months. This temporary GNAG location will help us immensely through our post-pandemic recovery while giving our community another place to play.

Spring fundraiser initiative for GNAG’s CAT Squad Program

Need to get your car washed? Want to help a great cause? The GNAG Community Action Team (CAT Squad) is hosting a car wash on Saturday, June 19 from 12 to 4 p.m. outside the Glebe Community Centre. This fundraiser is by donation only. All proceeds will go towards Harmony House Women’s Shelter in Ottawa.

Breakfast Club & Quest-4-Fun afterschool care programs

Are you looking for quality, fun and affordable before or afterschool care? GNAG is the spot for you! Activities such as sports, art, science and adventure games will keep your child so well entertained that they won’t want to leave.

The programs are ideal for children who attend Glebe neighbourhood schools including Mutchmor, Corpus Christi and First Avenue. Children who attend other schools should email ali@gnag.ca to discuss logistical accommodation.

A lottery for new spots in the 2021-2022 school year will be held June 14–18. Go to GNAG.ca for details.