Review of Neilson Park Creative Centre by Brenda Shewchuk, Parent

Date of Review
April 22, 2024
Attended
Day camp (2022)
Child 1
Age 5 (Male)
Program(s) focused in Arts & Crafts
Child 2
Age 7 (Male)
Program(s) focused in Arts & Crafts

(5) Overall experience

Clark and William are very active brothers, 20 months apart. We couldn't be happier with our experience at Neilson Park Creative Centre! My grandsons have been attending their art programs, and it's been an incredible journey of creativity and expression. The first program they did was a week-long summer camp. The second camp was during the winter semester, Art After School sessions. They are excited to go and love to share their creations when they get home. Every moment they are at NPCC has been filled with excitement and inspiration. The instructors at NPCC are incredibly well-prepared, guiding the kids through a variety of mediums including pastels, clay, paint, and watercolor. The diversity of projects they've worked on, from drawings to dioramas, has kept their imaginations soaring. And the best part for me is seeing their beaming faces on the last day with all their artwork laid out on the table so they can share the story on each piece with other parents and kids that come to look at them. It's moments like these that make us grateful for programs like this, offering a beautiful contrast to the competitive sports scene and allowing our grandsons the space to explore their creative passions. Every time I ask if they want to sign up for another class, the answer is a resounding "Yes!" Thank you, Neilson Park Creative Centre, for nurturing their creativity and providing such a wonderful outlet for self-expression. We can't wait for more adventures in art!

(5) Reason for choosing the camp

Neilson Park Creative Centre is in a park setting, and on top of the incredible instructors, the surroundings are amazing. NPCC's camps are affordable, the instructors are incredible and they work their magic stimulating the creativity of my boys. The week-long summer program and the once-a-week winter program are definitely worth the investment. The cost of the session includes everything required, there are no further costs.

(5) Program quality and activities

The camp itinerary met all of the interests that the 2 boys had. And for me, it was a very happy experience to see them so happy to take the work home for their dad to see. He even bought shadow boxes for them to put their creations in so that anyone visiting could see them in the hallway at home. It is nice to see children returning to the latest offerings and for the kids to look forward to seeing their creative friends. My observations were that the instructors pay very close attention to the pieces being created, constantly walking about, talking to the kids, using their names, expressing their delight at what is being accomplished, it is a very joyful experience. NPCC offers a variety of programs so that any child interested in the arts can continue to learn and grow through all the different media, and at early learner levels to advanced mixed media art. It's suitable for children from five into their tweens. Some kids are into their 8th year of art programming at NPCC.

(5) Social dynamics and experience

Yes, the boys made friends the first time at the week-long camp and as well at the 9-week program. They laugh and giggle and share what they are doing and have a great time. There were no issues that I was aware of. NPCC is a very diverse, inclusive, and happy place. In all my associations at NPCC I have never seen issues at the kids camps.

(5) Skills and growth

They learned more social interaction, sharing their work, and enjoying the company of like-minded kids. Also, taking on the challenge of a new skill or technique was interesting and fun, especially when you are among other kids, roughly your own age. In the summer camper experience they enjoyed the variety of media exploration and on the final day when their work was spread out on their table for other parents and siblings were invited to see their creations, there was a lot of happy faces and satisfaction in their creations.

(5) Staff/Instructors/Counsellors

Outstanding friendly, engaged instructors, very friendly front desk staff willing and able to help, talk at any time. The staff are available and friendly to parents and caregivers, talking to them and sharing their delight at the work the kids are doing. There was one child who needed some special help and the instructor had a helper who spent a lot of time with the child, who was very active. The parents of the child were very pleased that they worked with his abilities to ensure he had a good time.

(5) Advice and tips

Advice: Just Do It!! Fabulous camp. The Tweens camps are also amazing, its nice to see that art camp can produce some amazing young artists. I knew about NPCC, It met all my expectations but the pure happiness of going to pick up the boys and seeing them want to show me their work was such a joy. I will continue to send them to Art camp any time I can.

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(4.7)

Helen Skelton, Parent

NPCC camps are all art-focused and cover a wide range of subjects such as drawing, animation, painting and traditional art, sculpture, mixed media, etc. The classes usually have a theme, and instruct...

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