There is a great amount of research and data on the importance of play, and for us at Funny Bones, it is serious business! It helps build imagination and creativity, fosters cognitive growth, reaps emotional and behavioural benefits, facilitates group interaction, encourages greater independence, promotes physical fitness, and can even reduce levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.

We love nurturing developing minds through play-based learning. Our Funny Bones full-day Summer Enrichment Program offers excellent, qualified staff, and an exciting and engaging curriculum to provide the best experience for our campers. Each week has a different theme which will be integrated into our four areas of focus:

· Arts & Culture

· S.T.E.M.

· Game Play

· Outdoor Play

Our Leadership Enrichment Program (LEP) offers two opportunities for youth:

1. Our Leadership Training (LT) is a registered program that will run during the year leading up to the summer. It will offer a great foundation for leadership and will cultivate essential skills that youth will be able to take with them into the workforce and real-life settings. Funny Bones is dedicated to fostering a positive learning experience that will provide leaders with valuable experience and develop skills and knowledge necessary for success. It will not only give participants a taste of leadership in camp settings, but also camp management and coordination.

The program will include:

- Health and safety training

- Leadership development

- Instructional techniques and program planning

- Resume building and interview preparation

- Interview skills and practice/mock interviews

- Shadowing, observing, assisting and gaining hand-on experience

- Planning and leading a lesson with the guidance of a Camp Leader

- A day with the Camp Coordinator learning about the coordinator role and program management

- Feedback through participation in debrief sessions, reflections and evaluations from peers, supervisors and self throughout the entire program

- Other skills that are formed include: self-esteem, self-confidence, communication, organization and goal setting

2. Our Junior Leaders (JL) offers youth the opportunity to develop essential skills, while contributing to their community. They will have the opportunity to participate as a volunteer role in our Summer Enrichment Program (June 30th - Aug 29th). Successful candidates will be invited to contribute a minimum 40 hours of practicum, under the supervision of our Staff, Camp Leaders, and Coordinator. There is no cost to participate

in this program, but as our space is limited, we require an application to the program.

We will be accepting a maximum of 27 Junior Leaders for the 2025 Summer Enrichment Program. When taking into consideration these applications, we will be looking at:

- General leadership potential

- Applicable/related experience

- Personal hobbies, skills, and interests

- Ability to work in a cooperative, cohesive environment, with a general respect of campers and staff

- Activity and skill involvement, energetic presence

- The ability to follow policies, instructions and rules with a positive and flexible attitude

- Knowledge of the camp and our ideals

- Support of camp, its structures and philosophy

Upon completion, a certificate confirming 40 hours of community service will be awarded. These hours may be used towards volunteer hours required by their post-secondary institutions.

*Please note that not all schools automatically accept this program. Some schools require you to pre-approve this type of community service. Please check your community service requirements; we are happy to speak to your administration if needed.

After School Dates for Junior Leaders Program:

2 Weekday After-school Sessions:

TBD based on availability of participants

1 Full camp day of your choice for training

One Saturday session TBD:

(one Saturday for all, including Junior Leaders who aren’t doing the training program)

Application Process:

To apply for Leadership Training, please fill out our registration form below. No previous experience is required.

To apply for a 2025 Junior Leader position, please submit the following;

1. Completed Application Form (below)

2. Letter of Interest: outline why you want to be a Junior Leader, your interest in the program and what qualities you possess that will make you successful. (Please email this directly to FunnyBonesSEP@gmail.com with the subject line ‘Junior Leader Application’).

Please highlight any coaching, babysitting, leadership or first aid courses/experience as it would be a definite bonus!

**Please note: these requirements must be completed by the applicant and not the parent or guardian. Applicants who did not complete the application themselves will not be considered**

Application Deadline:

You must complete the on-line registration form any time between February 1st, 2025 and May 4th, 2025. Applications are being immediately considered, so applications will only be available until spots are filled. Candidates will have the opportunity to indicate which weeks they are available, so applying early, with a strong application, and indicating your preferred weeks would be a great advantage to securing those preferences. We would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.

Funny Bones is an equal opportunity employer and will provide accommodations upon request.

Our Leadership Enrichment Program (LEP) offers two opportunities for youth. This section should be completed by all applicants:

150 Wild Dinosaurs