During this past July and August, young campers took part in activities such as film production, spell-writing, and model building during four weeks of immersive camps hosted by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (FAHSS) in partnership with Lancer Camps.
By Victor Romao
Magic, imagination and leadership took centre stage this summer as young campers explored the arts, humanities and social sciences at the University of Windsor’s FAHSS Academy.
Children aged seven to 12 swapped sports and science labs for castle-building, spell-writing and university-style seminars during four weeks of immersive camps hosted by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (FAHSS) in partnership with Lancer Camps.
The program offered a creative and educational alternative to traditional summer activities, sparking curiosity and showcasing the breadth of disciplines within FAHSS.
One of the most popular offerings was the two-week Harry Potter-themed camp, where participants were sorted into Hogwarts houses and immersed in magical workshops across visual arts, drama, creative writing and philosophy.
Campers crafted wands, balloon owls and house pets, and took part in a castle-building challenge through Visual Arts and the Built Environment (VABE), designing new wings of Hogwarts and replicas of Dillon Hall.
In “Potions Class,” young writers invented spells and stories, while drama sessions on the Jackman Dramatic Art Centre stage and film set gave them a taste of performance and production.
The second half of the FAHSS Academy featured “Create. Inspire. Lead.” — a camp designed to introduce children to university-level subjects such as psychology, criminology, communications, political science and social work.
Youth engaged in interactive classroom sessions and outdoor activities, including swimming at the Toldo Lancer Centre, offering a well-rounded glimpse into campus life.
Now in its third year, the FAHSS Academy continues to grow in popularity, with many attendees returning annually and parents praising the program for its unique focus on arts and humanities.
The camps are set to return next summer, ready to welcome a new generation of future Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and Slytherins.