“I think the best I think the best part of Mini U is the ever-changing climate of our programs,” says Sheffield. “We’re constantly trying to evolve the program to be as cutting edge as possible.”

Sheffield says the leaders who bring a “fresh vibe to the environment” is also a highlight for him each year. Mini U employs over 150 UM students each year as leaders and supervisors in its summer camp and seasonal programs. Sheffield says Mini U prides itself on being a first for many students.

Drew Sheffield, Mini U Program Coordinator

“We are often their first interview experience, the first job orientation and their first role taking on real responsibility,” says Sheffield. “It’s important we get it right so that we can create really good future leaders, to move onto whatever their career might be.”

Sheffield says Mini U also helps to build the student experience, with leaders and supervisors growing a particularly strong bond over the summer.

“You’re learning how to properly communicate with each other, how to build relationships, not just with the kids, but also amongst your peers. And those relationships, because of that shared experience, are long-lasting.”

Adam Toffan, the Joe Dope Recreation Centre supervisor, says Recreation Services also builds a shared bond in the recreation facilities of both campuses.

Adam Toffan, Joe Doupe Recreation Centre Supervisor

“We want to have a welcoming and inclusive community where people feel free to be themselves,” says Toffan. “We get to work with people through their journeys and get to know their stories. We want their experience to make them feel centred and heard.”

Toffan says that communities develop through shared interests across all recreation facilities, clubs, programs and classes. He says the close relationship between Recreation Services and its members creates a larger impact beyond physical health and well-being.

“We try and look at health and fitness with how it transfers to other parts of your life and creating an active lifestyle that works for you,” says Toffan. “We want people to leave the gym feeling ready for whatever they have coming at them next, whether it’s school or work or just life in general.”

At their core, both Mini U and Recreation Services share the goal of building a healthier community by fostering physical, mental and emotional well-being. They aim to create spaces where individuals can grow and develop into healthier, more capable and well-rounded people.

Barkwell, daughter of Ted Barkwell, said the fund does more than allow someone to learn to skate. She said the fund’s goal has always been to enable kids to discover something they’re passionate about. At the University of Manitoba, the Ted Barkwell Memorial Fund helps children from lower-income families access Mini U’s Learn to Skate programs, lowering the program cost and helping the program purchase supplies, like extra helmets. 

Drew Sheffield, the Mini U and Junior Bisons program coordinator, said one hurdle has always been ensuring the child and their accompanying adult are appropriately equipped with skates and helmets to learn together safely. Many families are often in a situation where they must buy two sets of equipment. The Ted Barkwell Fund allowed Mini U to purchase helmets for anyone in need.

“Did that ever make a huge difference on the first day,” said Sheffield. “There were goose bumps amongst the staff because we could see shoulders drop and relax when we said we had people covered with extra equipment.”

Sheffield said it’s great to see families able to access not just any skating program but one that includes a full curriculum, lesson plans, and high-level instruction.

“Everyone should get to take the programs,” said Sheffield. “It’s a wonderful thing and makes you want to come to work every day.”

The fund began in 1995 by friends and family of Ted Barkwell, who wanted to create a legacy of Ted’s generosity. A lifelong participant in sports and activities, Nancy said Ted was a big believer in their life-long benefits.

“Playing with people and getting to know people, he really valued that,” said Barkwell. “Whatever it was, those relationships, the relationships in sport, really meant a lot.”

Barkwell said while Ted played various sports throughout his life, hockey was always his passion, and he always valued the relationships he formed on and off the ice around the activity. Barkwell said the family hopes the fund allows more kids to share the same passion Ted had for the community of sport.

“It’s not only offering them a skill but also developing relationships and having fun,” said Barkwell. “It really does capture his spirit.”

Over 300 Mini U participants have been helped in the last ten years thanks to the Ted Barkwell Fund.

All the Barkwell Family, Linda Murray ( Nee Barkwell ), Butch Barkwell, and Nancy Barkwell would like to thank all those who have contributed support in the past 25 years and welcome new supporters to continue this program.

Mini U Programs, which also oversees Junior Bisons programming is hiring for summer employment. Information and applications for all positions are now available. Supervisor applications are due on January 19, 2022 and leader applications are due on February 13, 2022.

As an ‘experience supervisor’ last summer, Parth Saul worked closely with other staff members to coordinate day-to-day operations and safety protocols for all, support other staff in their positions, and to create a setting in which leadership was a group effort based on respect.

Jaclyn Keddie was the assistant hockey coach and directly worked with kids on and off the ice on skills, skating, and showing kids what it means to be a leader by example.

Their jobs entailed daily activities but more importantly, their experiences set them up to develop a unique skill set and values that they will carry for the rest of their personal and professional lives. Every person is different, and Mini U promotes an inclusive culture where each individual can flourish in their own way.

Mini U is more than a program, it’s an environment where you can thrive and find your strengths without fear of judgement. “We’re at such a vulnerable age with lots of pressure to find our career paths in life,” says Keddie. “As a student, it gave me the confidence I needed to be able to know the right path for me, but it also showed me that my career path is not my only goal in life. Having other passions and activities outside of school is essential for living a well-balanced, healthy life.”

Academics can be extremely stressful but Mini U Programs provides a place for stress relief and a social outlet. In fact, that’s what drew Saul back. The day-to-day activities for Mini U staff members were nothing short of exciting and rewarding, but the “energy, kindness, and supportive nature of the leaders was contagious and when the summer ended, it left me wanting to come back and take on a bigger role,” says Saul.

She adds: “Whoever comes through the doors are pushed to want the best versions of themselves. Without a place like this, I don’t think I would be the person I am today. The idea of shaping the leaders of tomorrow is what makes this one of the best summer jobs in the province.”

As a Mini U team member, you’ll be surrounded by driven and thoughtful individuals who are more like you than you thought. They’re students who also want to find a strong sense of community and make the best of every experience through teamwork. Keddie perfectly encapsulates what being a staff member meant to her, “I was honoured to get to live through these small moments every day this past summer.”

If Saul and Keddie’s stories resonated with you and are looking to join a healthy workplace, apply for a position with Mini U Programs today. More information and full application details can be found at miniu.ca.

Mini U will handle sport, special interest and leadership programs split by age groups in the five to seven and eight to 11 year ranges, while Junior Bisons will offer sport-specific, high performance camps for youth-aged participants aged twelve years and older.

While a few camp favourites like Kids in the Kitchen and Coding for Kids will take a pause this summer, the menu is still filled with exciting, unique programs and sport-specific training options that will keep kids active and engaged through the summer.

“The [pandemic] situation we are faced with forced us to think about how we can maximize the opportunity to keep kids active this summer while still giving them the Mini U experience they and their families are so familiar with,” commented Ashley Gagnon, associate director, Children’s Programs.

Fewer camps and smaller camp sizes are two elements of the safety plan with about 1500 spots remaining after a 2-day pre-sale in April. All camps will be in compliance with Manitoba public health orders and Manitoba Camping Association guidelines.

“Participant and staff safety are at the top of every decision we make which is why you will see fewer camps this year. The silver lining of all of this though, is that we are evolving and finding efficiencies that will ultimately benefit our participants going forward,” said Gagnon.

Mini U Programs and Junior Bisons are working closely together on creating natural progressions through their sport programming from Mini I and Mini II programs (5-11) through to Junior Bisons higher level sport-specific offerings (12+).

UM Bisons coaching staff will be providing their expertise in the creation of camps while delivery will be at the hands of Mini U leaders and Bisons student-athletes, giving campers a chance to interact with the varsity players.

Learn more about how to register for Mini U Programs and Junior Bisons today.

On April 20, Mini U Programs and Junior Bisons will start their two-day online pre-sale allowing campers to request a spot in their camp of choice. Full details are available on the Mini U Programs website. General online registration will follow beginning on Wednesday, May 5.

To ensure safety for all participants and staff, a decrease in the number of camps offered is to be expected. And while a few camp favourites like Kids in the Kitchen and Coding for Kids will take a pause this summer, the menu, as always, is filled with exciting, unique programs and sport-specific training camps available to children and youth ages four to 18. 

“We are beyond excited to be able to provide the Mini U Programs and Junior Bisons experience to the community this summer,” says Ashley Gagnon, associate director, Children’s Programs. “We’ve been working hard to make sure what we can offer is balanced with safety, inclusivity and support for the community.”

Community support comes in the way of a subsidy program that focuses on minimizing the barrier program fees can create. The program allows families of Indigenous cultural background, low-income families and families with children who have special needs access to financial support for or their young campers and athletes to attend summer camp.

Supported through the Ted Barkwell Memorial Fund and the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, a number of camp spots will be set aside each week throughout the summer giving the opportunity for underprivileged children to meet new friends and learn new skills in the university setting. Applications for the subsidy program will be available beginning on Tuesday, April 13.

Making a splash with spring swimming lessons

Months after being cancelled due to lockdown, private and semi-private swimming lessons will resume for a 7- to 8-week session. Customers who were registered in the Fall will be contacted and general swimming lesson online registration will open on Monday, May 3. Details are available on the swimming lessons page.

To explore the summer camp menu for Mini U Programs and Junior Bisons high-performance training, information about registration and the subsidy program, visit miniu [dot] ca.

After COVID-19 forced the cancellation of summer camps at UM in 2020, this announcement brings added encouragement and optimism to the community. For over 40 years, UM summer camps have employed hundreds of students and welcomed thousands of children and youth to campus to participate in unique experiences and sport environment.

Learn about registration details at miniu [dot] ca.

Safety precautions priority

The plan, approved by UM’s COVID Recovery Steering Committee highlights safety of participants and staff as priority through an experience on a smaller scale, and with limited attendance and strict operational procedures.

While specific camp offerings and registration information has not yet been announced, the faculty is pleased to contribute to the university and community’s recovery.

“It has always been our intention to support the efforts of UM’s recovery and impact the community in positive ways. Mini U and Junior Bisons provide additional opportunities to reengage with the broader community and encourage learning and development in our youth,” expressed Doug Brown, dean, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. 

Summer programming details, including registration dates, will be announced in the coming weeks. For now, the focus is on hiring and putting in place the staff required to run the programs effectively, efficiently and safely.