Toronto Take Action Academy

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Summer vacation is fast approaching and, for most of us teachers, it will be a welcome break, providing us with the opportunity to refresh our minds with new goals for another year. For others, these two months may evoke a feeling of angst trying to figure out what on earth will keep their kids actively entertained and out of trouble. This summer, Toronto moms and dads have a chance to register their kids in what could be the most rewarding experiences of their youth: Take Action Academy.

This is not your old run-of-the-mill summer camp. Au contraire. For one week, participants will work on their leadership skills, volunteer in their local community and forge unique friendships all the while exploring social challenges and global issues. This adventure-filled camp is one week in length and is taking place this summer in only 5 cities in North America:

Toronto (July 11 - 18, July 18 - 25 and August 8 – 15)
Montreal (August 1 - 7)
Vancouver (Jul 31 - Aug 7)
Sackville, NB (July 5 – 9) and
California (June 20 - 26).

Children aged 9-21 from the world over will unite Me to We style under the guidance of trained leadership facilitators. And if these facilitators are anything like some of the Me to We activists I have met in the past, such as Louise Kent and Michel Chikwanine, campers will surely leave the Academy feeling inspired and empowered.

If you would like more information on this year's summer camps, visit the Take Action Academy site or email the team at academy@metowe.com. Prices range from $550-$950 for a one-week session and varies depending on location. Canadians can apply for a maximum $500 academic bursary generously supplied by Investors Group. An application is available on their site to download.

Here's a video from August 2009 when Free the Children and Me to We put their chef skills to the test and cooked up a surprise by the name of Jason Mraz. I wonder what lies in store for this year's lucky campers...