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By Farrah Philpot
If you were to hear there’s a summer camp called Busy Minds Education and that it’s based at Immaculata High School, then you might guess it’s a code name for summer school. But add in a star yogi, a top youth soccer coach and a few Ottawa Titans baseball players, and what you also get is some very busy bodies.
A first-ever summer camp experience for many participants, Busy Minds revolves around personal development through mindfulness, yoga practices and lots of sport.
“It’s all about building confidence, connection, and life skills through mindful movement, creativity and play,” highlights Melissa Heikkila, the owner and operator of Busy Minds Education’s Ottawa franchise as well as Little Yogis Academy.
The children who attend the camp must be nominated by their school’s social worker, making the free program only eligible to those who need it most. Parents whose children are deemed as eligible must find transportation for their children, although the camp is otherwise fully funded by the Ottawa Catholic School Board’s mental health department.
“It’s great to see the growing opportunities provided to youth in the community,” signals Roberto Di Nuzzo, the OCSB’s program coordinator who can be found most nights coaching at Ottawa South United Soccer Club’s Force Academy program.
“Lots of the kids who are enrolled may be experiencing different barriers in the community, and for lots of them, this is their first experience of a summer camp,” he adds. “So that in itself serves a special experience, which is quite unique and does give you some perspective on what that first experience can really mean for a child.”
The sports aspect of the camp is helping to go beyond just building skill at a young age, but showing them that sport is a safe space to build these skills and confidence.
“We create a positive atmosphere where we will teach them either basic soccer skills or basketball skills, or we just run fun activities like a ninja obstacle course,” notes Heikkila. “It’s about engaging kids in a positive environment where they feel safe, they feel secure, and each day they’re gaining self-confidence through sports.”
Heikkila and Busy Minds are continuously trying to grow, especially in the sports aspect of their camp. They are keen to welcome players from local pro sports teams to share their stories and inspire the young minds attending camp.
In mid-August, Ottawa Titans pitcher Alfredo Villa and utility player Justin Fogel visited the camp, with both saying they enjoyed the opportunity to engage with the youngsters.
Heikkila says she’s keen to have the professional athletes “share life experiences and provide some positivity and allow for these camp participants to see that they can do anything, regardless of the situation they may be in.
“They can overcome these obstacles in their life through playing sports or doing mindfulness activities.”
This article is part of the Ottawa Sports Pages’ Inclusion in Sport series. Read more about local sport inclusion initiatives at: OttawaSportsPages.ca/Ottawa-Sports-Pages-Inclusion-In-Sport-Series/.