Answers
What's the overview of this years camps?
When are the 2008 camps?
This year we have two 5-day computer camps for you and your friends.
Each camper gets an individual PC workstation so each camp is currently limited to twenty participants.
Camp 2007-01 starts Monday, July 7 and finishes Friday, July 11, 2008.
Camp 2007-02 starts Monday, July 14 and finishes Friday, July 18, 2008.
Where do the camps take place?
The camp program takes place at the Education Building, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.Some of the camp activities such as laser quest, swimming, matrix gaming and a barbeque take place at other Regina locations but most of the day is in the computer lab.
Who should attend the camp?
The camp is designed for people who:
Are age 12 to 17 (inclusive as of camp start dates)
Have a yearn to learn and the ability to think logically
Are a positive self-starter with a sense of humor
Thrive on challenge and group interaction
Have a technology interest that includes more than just playing video games
What's the camp program?
Each day between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. you'll work on your projects as an individual and in small teams. Naturally there are biobreaks and activity breaks. Evenings include group technical, social and recreational activities. And Friday demonstrations finish about 4:00 p.m.
Your camp fee covers all activites. Late morning or early afternoon activities (depending on the weather) include swimming and team games. Monday evenings offer three rounds of intense Laser Quest action. Tuesday and Thursday evenings are for individual and team project work as well as for special guest presentations to small groups. Campers may choose to attend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Sunset Retreat Ceremony on Tuesday evenings. Wednesday evenings are for competitive computer games. Friday afternoon is highlighted by a closing ceremony wherein you get to show your week's accomplishments to family and friends.
The camp programs are designed for fun. In addition, the camps provide lasting benefits by enhancing your technical, creative, and communication skill sets. You return home better able to assist the advanced technological challenges and opportunities faced by your family, schools and community groups.
What's the camp schedule?
How does each camp begin?
Camp opens each week on Monday at 8:00 a.m. at the Education building, University of Regina.
After a brief introduction to staff, camp rules, and procedures, everybody dives right into action!
During the first Monday class, counsellors evaluate each camper's abilities and goals to ensure learning at an appropriate level.
What's the typical daily schedule for Tuesdays through Thursdays?
| Time | Activity |
| 8:00 a.m. | Daily Briefing |
| 8:15 a.m. | Session One |
| 10:00 a.m. | First Biobreak |
| 10:15 a.m. | Session Two |
| 12:00 noon | Lunch Break |
| 12:30 p.m. | Free Time |
| 1:15 p.m. | Session Three |
| 3:00 p.m. | Second Biobreak |
| 3:15 p.m. | Session Four |
| 5:00 p.m. | Supper Break / free time |
| 7:00 p.m. | Evening Activities |
| 8:45 p.m. | Home Time |
What are the weeks features?
The daily program begins when the computer lab opens at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Each Monday features a pizza party and three sessions of laser quest. Campers get picked up from laser quest about 8:45 p.m.
Tuesday through Thursday the formal program ends at 5:00 p.m. Most campers choose to participate in the optional evening activities held from 5:00 p.m. through to 8:45 p.m.
The optional activities include opportunities for project work, multi-player computer games, and special interest topics.
On Fridays campers spend the morning hours finishing their projects. After lunch, counsellors review the week's goals and accomplishments with each camper, praising areas of excellence and noting skills that need improvement.
At 3:00 p.m. each Friday, we close the session and have a special Awards Ceremony where each camper's achievements are highlighted for families, teachers, and other invited guests.
What about meals?
What are Biobreaks?
For the daily morning and afternoon biobreaks, campers are provided with a choice of free refreshments, ranging from bottled water to fruit juices and now and then soda pop.
Although food and drink are not allowed in the computer room, water bottles are encouraged.
Often oversized cookies are awarded for great answers or creative solutions to challenges.
What meals are provided as part of the camp program?
Campers are provided with the following meals:
Monday: Pizza Party at lunch for all campers.
Tuesday: "2-peat Lunch" with industry guests for campers back for their second or higher camp year.
Wednesday: "3-peat Supper" for campers back for their third or higher camp year
Thursday: BBQ Supper for all campers
What about other meals?
Campers are responsible for their own meals for other times. Campers may bring food (store in fridge / heat in microwave) or Campers may buy meals at nearby campus fast food establishments and other nearby restaurants.
How do I apply to attend a Computer Camp?
What's wanted in my cover letter?'
Compose a cover letter from you indicating who you are and why you want to attend.
Limit your letter to one side of one piece of paper sized no more than 22cm x 28cm (8.5in x 11in).
In this creative computer-generated cover letter, tell us why you want to attend and what you want to get out of the computer camps.
What's required on my application form?
The application form includes info about you, indicates how you are paying, and gives permission for you to participate.
If paying by cheque or money order, make the cheque or money order payable to Mentor Systems Inc.
Have a parent or guardian sign the application form assuming risk, release, indemnity and waiver of liability.
What are the camp fees?
The camp fees are:
| Rate |
Deadlines
for 2008 |
One Week
for one camper |
| Earlybird |
On or before May 15 |
CA$225.00 |
| Regular |
After May 15 |
CA$250.00 |
If paying by Visa, Mastercard, or Amercian Express, include on your application form the card number, expiry date, and cardholder name. Note that credit cards will show billing by Metric Hosting Ltd. as cards are processed by Metric Hosting Ltd., one of the camp sponsors.
Fees include T-shirts, all camp activities, and biobreak refreshments.
A CA$50 administration fee will apply for any cancellation of camp participation after June 15
Where do I send my completed application?
Mail your cover letter, application form, and cheque/money order if not paying by credit card, to:
15th Annual International Computer Camps
Box 35018 Sherwood Village RPO
Regina, SK S4X 4C6
or contact Adam Knutson at 306.535.0237 to arrange a dropoff of your completed application.
How do I get to the camps and where can I stay?
How do I get to my computer camp?
If you are arriving from out-of-town by plane or bus, we will meet and greet you at the airport or bus depot, both of which are within 15 minutes of the camps. This is a free camp service. Just let us know of your requirements.
Take a bike to the Education Building, at the University of Regina. Lock your bike to any bike stand.
Take a
City of Regina route 3 bus or take a
City of Regina route 4 bus to the Education Building, at the University of Regina.
Drive to the University of Regina, and park at a meter near the Education Building. Note that although Monday, July 2, is a university holiday with free parking at all meters, you must feed the hungry meters at all other times.
Where can I stay while at camp?
Those from outside Regina may billet for free with Regina campers. Billet spaces depend upon offers of space by families of Regina campers. Regina applicants are encouraged to billet out-of-towners. An offer to billet covers a place to sleep, simple breakfasts, and rides to and from camps. Please let us know if you need to billet or can offer a billet space. FYI, billets usually give their hostess a thank you gift.
If you would like, you can get a private room and meals for under CA$30 per night at Luther College (306.585.5333) located on the University of Regina campus. Campers staying at Luther College are about a three minute walk from the camps (counting one minute outside). Please advise us if you plan on staying at Luther College.
Who operates the computer camps?
Who are the staff members for the camp?
The camp instructors are technical and subject matter experts from a wide range of our community including volunteers from industry, the University of Regina, and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.
Community members share insight, knowledge, and support. In addition, mentors (generally senior campers from previous years) assist with camp activities.
What is Mentor Systems Inc. (MSI)
Mentor Systems Inc. is a member-based organization registered as a non-profit corporation in Saskatchewan, Canada. MSI was formed by volunteer camp-staff who were counsellors and mentors at the various annual computer camps.
MSI has the mandate of providing technological opportunities for youth. The program of camps and workshops fulfills this mandate by providing youth with hands-on experience with sophisticated systems, collaboration in solving challenging problems, and improved computer skills.
Who are the camp sponsors?
MSI's program at various times has been sponsored by the University of Regina and ISM Canada.
The camp program appreciates the continuing assistance of its sponsors, supporters, and volunteers including the following:
As a registered non-profit corporation providing technical opportunities for youth, MSI's program welcomes donations and sponsored bursaries. Contact us at computercamps@gmail.com
Who can I contact from the Computer Camps?
What is the email address?
Who can I call?
Camp coordinator Adam Knutson at 306.535.0237 (and please leave message if Adam is busy working as engineer)