Instructors in Training

The Instructors-in-Training program is a leadership and professional development camp for students in Grades 9-10 interested in STEM, education, and mentorship. Participants build transferable skills through hands-on learning, workshops, and real-world experience.

Campers develop strengths in communication, leadership, collaboration, and time management, while gaining experience designing and supporting STEM activities for younger students. The program also includes guidance from topic professionals during mentor visits. Prior IIT sessions included workshops from HR professionals about developing resumes and preparing for interviews, as well as exploring all that UofG has to offer led by faculty members.

This program is 2-weeks long. In Week 1, campers will be guided by a CE Coordinator through opportunities for personal and professional growth with team bonding, STEM inquiry, and CE fun! In Week 2, they’ll be placed in our camp rooms as camp volunteers to apply what they have learned. Week 2 also counts for volunteer hours, with campers able to earn all 40 volunteer hours required to graduate high school while having fun at camp!

For 2026, we are expanding capacity to 20 campers per session! This program is ideal for students looking to grow as leaders, gain meaningful experience, and prepare for future opportunities in STEM and youth mentorship.

Availability

July 6-10 + 13-17, July 20-24 + 27-31, August 10-14 + 17-21

Pricing

• Camp: $450 for 2-week program
• Extended Care: $85/week (flat fee for pre and post-camp hours)
• *NEW* Need financial support? Apply for Free to Grow funding

Location

This camp is held at University of Guelph’s main campus, primarily in the Albert A. Thornborough building.

Hours

• This camp runs from Monday to Friday
• Regular Hours:
  • Drop-off is between 8:45 AM and 9:00 AM
  • Pick-up is 4:00 PM sharp
• Extended Care (optional):
  • Pre-camp supervision from 8:10 AM to 9:00 AM
  • Post-camp supervision from 4:00 PM to 4:50 PM
• Camps for grades 2-8 are 5-day programs
• Camp for grades 9-10 is a 10-day program that runs back-to-back across two weeks (with a break over the weekend)

Pick-Up & Drop-Off

• Campers in Grades 6-10 may be authorized by a parent/guardian to Self Sign-Out (meaning a parent/guardian does not need to sign those campers out at the end of the day)
• A parent/guardian can authorize their Grade 6-10 camper to sign out a younger sibling

Lunch & Snacks

• Campers will have an hour for lunch in addition to a morning and an afternoon snack break
• Lunch and snacks will be eaten outdoors whenever possible

Information Package

All registrants will receive a Pre-Camp Package one week before camp that will contain:

• All necessary details and forms needed to attend camp
• Exact pick-up and drop-off details
• Sign-out and self sign-out authorizations
• Medical information
• Special considerations form
• and more!

Important Notes

• "Grade" refers to the grade your child will enter this fall
  • Creative Encounters reserves the right to remove your child from camp if you have registered them for the incorrect grade
• Need help registering for camp? Read our How To Register Guide
• Need to cancel or transfer? Read our Cancellation & Transfers Policy