A Summer to Remember: VICI Learning x The Cove’s Learn & Play Day Camp
This summer was one for the books! We started every morning by welcoming our beautiful campers with their big smiles and excitement for another adventure. We were reminded of why we created the Learn & Play Day Camp and partnering with The Cove Indoor Play: to build a space where kids can learn, play, and grow — and most importantly, belong.
Together, we created weeks filled with discovery, creativity, and friendship. And while the crafts, games, and field trips were fun, the true magic was in the confidence built, the friendships formed, and the sense of joy that campers carried home each day.
Our Shared Mission between Vici Learning and The Cove Indoor Play
Partnerships only work when values align — and this summer proved just how powerful that can be. Both VICI Learning and The Cove are deeply rooted our Learn & Play day camps in four values that guided every activity and decision:
Education Through Play – Kids learn best when they’re engaged, laughing, and having fun.
Inclusivity – Every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and accepted.
Nurturing Growth – Building confidence, curiosity, and resilience through every lesson and activity.
Peace of Mind for Parents – Knowing their children are safe, cared for, and thriving in a supportive environment.
“As a parent, it can be challenging to find a camp that fits all of our needs, but this one truly delivered. It was all-inclusive, and my child loved the variety of activities and the friendly staff. What really stood out to us is that neurodivergent kids are welcomed and fully supported here, which made a huge difference.”
- Gizem S.
Weekly Adventures with a Purpose
Each week was designed around a unique theme that blended learning with fun.
Learning Components – Campers explored big questions like What makes a good friend? or How does nature help us grow? Or in week #6, my future self, where students learned about different career paths, built their own mini businesses, which they presented at the kids' market!
Arts & Crafts – Creativity was woven into every week. From friendship bracelets and "My Planet", to character puppets and “Nature & Me” posters, kids had tangible keepsakes to bring their learning to life.
Gamified Learning – From interactive worksheets to word searches and hangman; lessons were turned into games! Campers loved Nature scavenger hunt, friendship relays, and hangman were some of their favourites, which had them running, laughing, competing, and learning without even realizing it.
Field Trips – The highlight and unique feature of our day camps! Partnering with local businesses and organizations gave campers real-world connections. Whether exploring Science World, enjoying Space Yoga in Nature with BusyMinds, or Friendship Bubble Art with Nooma Space, every trip sparked awe and wonder.
FRIYAY Pizza Parties – Fridays wrapped up with pizza, presentations, and celebrations. Kids showcased their projects, from journals to posters to plays, and walked away with arts and crafts to keep for memories.
“My kid recently attended their Spring camp and enjoyed his time. The staff were very kind and supported through all days of the camp. The camp also had different activities for kids to do like art, library, outdoor time and was quite engaging.”
- Ramya K.
Lessons That Last Beyond Summer
The most valuable part of camp wasn’t just the fun — it was the takeaways that campers carried home:
Learning what nature is, how can nature help us grow and how we
Recognizing the power of words and actions of kindness in friendships
Discovering that managing money can be exciting when tied to real-life choices
Building confidence in expressing emotions and problem-solving together
..and most importantly, learning about neurodiversity and what it means to have and respect others as one of our campers puts it: "it's ok, we all have different brains, so we think differently"
These aren’t just summer memories — they’re life skills that will serve campers for years to come.
The Heart of Camp: Our Staff & Volunteers
Behind every successful activity and every smile was an incredible team of staff, junior leaders, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make each camper’s experience meaningful and exciting.
This year, our staff participated in specialized training with Busy Minds to deepen their knowledge of child development, inclusivity, and neurodiverse learning strategies. With this training, our team was equipped not only to lead games and crafts but to support campers in ways that honored their unique needs and personalities.
We are so proud of how the team worked together — from junior leaders buddying with younger campers, to staff leading engaging lessons, to volunteers keeping the environment safe and tidy. Every person played a part in making the camp a true community.
Arnie, Joy, Hills, Alivia, Quynh, and Harsh, we can't thank you enough from the bottom of our hearts for being part of this year's Learn & Play Summer Day Camp!
As we close this chapter of our Learn & Play Day Camp, we do so with gratitude. Gratitude for the campers who inspired us, the parents who trusted us, the partners who supported us, and the staff who gave their all.
From Sara Alhowar & Trisha Ocampo
While the summer may be over, our mission continues. At VICI Learning, every program — from after-school tutoring to seasonal camps — is designed with the same values: education through play, inclusivity, nurturing growth, and peace of mind for parents.
Until next time, let’s keep learning, playing, and growing — every day, adventure awaits!
