Camp Comes to the Classroom at Maple Grove
by Dan Mullins
A first-in-Quebec partnership that offered students six weeks of connection, challenge, and growth took place at Maple Grove Elementary this fall. The start of a new school year came with something entirely new, and entirely unforgettable.
For six weeks beginning in late September, the school hosted the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps (THFC) In-Community Program, marking the first time the initiative has been delivered in a Quebec classroom. The free, curriculum-aligned program is designed for students in Grades 5 and 6 from underserved communities. It focuses on leadership development, teamwork, communication, and emotional resilience through experiential learning.
“I’m excited we were the first school in Quebec to launch this initiative,” said Angela Troli, Community Development Agent for Maple Grove. “It was such a fantastic opportunity for our students and a wonderful partnership for our school”.
The program, led by a trained facilitator, ran Tuesdays and Wednesdays over six weeks, in three classrooms per day. Teachers were present during sessions but could step back from instruction, as all planning and materials were provided. The structure allowed students to explore ideas like empathy, collaboration, and communication through games, group challenges, and guided discussion. The program supported goals in health and social-emotional development and aligned especially well with the Culture et citoyenneté québécoise (CCQ) curriculum.
Each session carried a clear theme: making connections, owning one’s actions, problem-solving, leadership, and more. The activities were physical and interactive, for example stacking cups, balancing balls, improvising group solutions. They were always paired with reflection, and students were given journals to help make sense of the day’s work.
Grade 6 teacher Ms. Ally Pileggi described the shift she saw in her students over time. “It was amazing to watch them step out of their comfort zones and grow throughout the day,” she wrote. “We’re still working on handling disappointment and learning to be gracious when things don’t go our way, but the experience definitely helped build resilience”.
Mme. Brittanie Romito, whose class also participated, echoed the impact. “They were introduced to new games, stepped outside their comfort zones, and tapped into creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving,” she said. “The activities truly let them be kids while learning important skills”.
Beatrice, the program’s facilitator, was repeatedly praised by teachers and students alike. “Animated, patient, adaptable, and supportive,” said Mme. Romito. “Energetic, engaging, and patient,” added Ms. Pileggi. “Fair yet firm, bilingual, and kind.”
Students themselves described a progression from play to perseverance. “Some parts were really fun; some parts were really difficult!” wrote a group of Grade 5s. “The first few games were simple and fun, like making handshakes… but the more time we spent playing Tim’s Camp Games, the more challenging and difficult the games became”.
That balance between ease and effort is intentional. The program builds from one session to the next, starting with simple ways to connect and moving toward more complex challenges. Over time, students practice working through frustration, solving problems together, and stepping into leadership roles.
The unplugged nature of the experience was its own kind of novelty. “In a world of video games and technology, these six weeks were much needed,” said Mme. Maria, who saw her students challenged and engaged on new levels.
As the pilot concludes at Maple Grove, there’s already hope for a return. “We absolutely loved it and I hope to experience it again with my future students,” said Ms. Pileggi.
For now, students leave with something less tangible but no less valuable: the memory of shared effort, a few new ways to handle frustration… and maybe even a stronger handshake.
