“We see the leadership development of our leaders and their ability to be positive role models for the campers as the core of what we do,” says Gagnon.

Gagnon says the leaders and supervisors are the people who are with the campers every day. They are the people who make the biggest difference to the camp experience. She says it’s important for Mini U to provide them with the tools and support they need to succeed.

Developing leaders first

“Every single part of every job here is to create an experience for someone”

Mini U leaders during a leader week workshop

Gagnon says helping team members grow into leaders has been her focus for over a decade. That focus prepares them to excel in their roles with Mini U and in their communities. She says Mini U uses workshops, clear expectations and focused feedback to give team members chances to grow.

This focus is also a part of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management’s 2024-2027 strategic plan. Gagnon believes the experience of the team members is a core part of their function within the faculty.

“Every single part of every job here is to create an experience for someone,” says Gagnon. “And that is in part why the leadership training is so ingrained in what we do, because I see that as how we can contribute to the professional development of UM students and influence the camper experience.”

From workshop to field: The training difference

Gagnon says Mini U’s training for camp leaders mixes formal workshop teaching and purposeful games and activities. She says these opportunities give leaders a chance to work together and practice solving complex problems. This helps prepare them for real-life problem-solving once camp starts.

Gagnon says leadership is a skill you learn and get better at over time. Mini U’s leadership training focuses on five key skills for every job: communication, problem solving, team work, relationship building and reflection.

“It’s very much a part of our culture that permeates through everything we do.”

“Training isn’t just about our senior leaders answering questions; we recognize that our first year team members have a job here because they have external experience, and learning from those experiences only makes our programs better,” says Sara Johnson, a Program Supervisor who has been with Mini U for six years.

A Mini U leader during the Froggies camp

Johnson says training for leaders is made to feel like the best possible camp experience; something that is both fun and fulfilling. She says the experiences during training help to build community and a sense of trust. Something crucial to help people feel safe and allow them to step outside their comfort zones on the job.

“We want returning and new leaders to participate equally and have fun because in turn, that allows them to understand how they might make the experience more meaningful for the campers,” says Johnson. “It’s very much a part of our culture that permeates through everything we do.”

Growing towards a goal

Gagnon says Mini U builds on its leadership development every year. This helps team members learn to solve problems through different stages of their growth.  Jesse Michalski, a coordinator on the Mini U team, says supervisors learn about the administrative and planning needs to run Mini U behind the scenes. They also learn five-step plans for having difficult conversations with other team members or parents. As supervisors gain skills in each area, their tasks become more complex and independent.

Ashley Gagnon during the start of Mini U’s leader week

“People come to us from other positions with their own history of problem solving, communicating and building relationships,” says Michalski. “We try to refine those skills in every experience and grow their practical skills as they become more experienced leaders in the program.”

Mini U also uses mentorship, pairing new team members with someone with more Mini U experience. Michalski says this is an opportunity help experienced leaders practice their communication while giving new team members authentic feedback from peers.

Gagnon says this authentic feedback is “a vital part of that journey.” She says Mini U uses direct feedback, new challenges and a culture of teamwork. This builds collaboration to build trust and shared responsibility among everyone at Mini U.

Reinforcing excellence: The impact of tangible recognition

One way Mini U gives direct feedback is through positive recognition. Michalski says team members might get a ‘leadership card’ from a teammate. It is a simple thank-you from a teammate who noticed their colleague reflecting Mini U’s values in their work.

“When you’re recognized for something that you didn’t go out of your way to get recognition for, it’s so much more empowering,” says Johnson. “It leaves such a lasting impression and contributes to our learning and positively reinforces the good stuff we’re doing.”

The Mini U culture: Community, empowerment and results

Gagnon says the leaders are what ultimately set Mini U apart from other childcare programs across the city. They are helped to be their best through a balance of planned and real-life learning opportunities, with a positive community to help support them in trying new things.

Want to work at Mini U next summer?

Applications for summer 2026 Mini U leader and supervisor positions opens December 19.

If someone you know might be interested in a position with Mini U this summer, encourage them to review the application package.

Application deadlines

• Applications for supervisor positions are due January 14, 2026, 11:59 p.m. 
• Returning leader applications are due January 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
• New leader applications are due February 16 at 11:59 p.m.

Please use the online form to apply to all positions.

The open house showcases membership benefits, provides access to fitness facilities, and helps build community both on and off campus. The facilities will be open to the community for free from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with various activities will be scheduled throughout the day. 

“Our goal is to encourage the community to come together, move their bodies, and connect with others who share similar interests,’ says Tanya Angus, director of Recreation Services at UM.

“We believe in the power of physical activity and social interaction to enhance well-being. Our Get Active open house is not only about showcasing what we have to offer in terms of programs and facilities but also about creating a sense of belonging and community.”

The facilities will be open to the community for free from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a variety of activities will be scheduled throughout the day.  Get Active is open to all ages and fitness levels. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or new to recreational activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Schedule

Fort Garry Campus (430 University Cres)

The Active Living Centre, Frank Kennedy Centre, and Joyce Fromson Pool facilities are free for the public to use throughout the day. Please see the schedule of activities to plan your visit.

Active Living Centre fitness floor

All-day access from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for those 15 and over. If you’d like to learn more about the spaces, we’re hosting two group tours of our facilities.

Tours start at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and last approximately 45 minutes. Meet at our customer service desk give minutes before the start time to take a tour of the facilities.

Group fitness

Try a fitness class led by one of our certified instructors. All fitness and experience levels are welcome. Participants must be 17 and older to attend.

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

• Abs & Glutes:  Second floor, Dance Studio
• Cycle Xpress: Third floor, Cycling Studio

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

• Yoga Flow: Second floor, Multipurpose Studio 264
• Zumba: Second floor, Multipurpose Studio 274

Open gymnasium

Pick up a racket and try out some court sports. In the morning, the Brown Gym on the second floor will be open to play pickleball and badminton. In the afternoon, drop-in volleyball.

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

• Pickleball/Badminton
  • Bring your own or rent a racquet. Balls/birdies can be purchased and other equipment can be borrowed from the customer service desk.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 pm

• Volleyball
  • Equipment can be borrowed from the customer service desk.

Mini U games

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Bring your children, grandchildren or other young ones aged 5-12 in your life for games led by our Mini U team. Games take place in the Brown Gym on the second floor.

Recreational swim

2:00 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Take advantage of lane swimming in our 25m pool with six lanes or enjoy the deep end. A guardian must accompany minors in the pool and bathing suits are required.

Climbing wall

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Try out our 35-foot climbing wall on the third floor of the Active Living Center. All climbers must pre-register, and equipment is available at the wall.

Joe Doupe Recreation Centre (030-Brodie Center – 727 McDermot Avenue)

Fitness floor and Gymnasium

 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Guests must be 15 and over to use the fitness floor facilities and guests below the age of 15 must be accompanied with a guardian when using the gymnasium.

Group fitness

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

• Zumba: Studio

Join us!

Please remember to bring indoor shoes, clothes to be active in, and photo ID. All guests will be required to complete our gym waiver to access our spaces.

While you’re at the gym, you can enter to win a 4-month membership from UM Recreation Services.

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.

As she begins her third year lifeguarding and teaching swimming lessons at University of Manitoba’s pool, Sydney Dillabough reflects on her life poolside and how she found her way to Mini U. She says being a part of the Mini U crew has been a fantastic experience.

If you love the water as much as she does, you’ll fit right in too.

How did you start working at Joyce Fromson pool and Mini U?

When I reached the tenth grade everyone around me was looking for jobs. My friends were telling me they felt dissatisfied or unhappy with their work environment. My sister, on the other hand, started working with Mini U at the pool a couple years prior and had nothing but great things to say about her job. I decided to follow in her footsteps.

Mini U aquatics staff get the opportunity to both lifeguard and teach swimming lessons. What’s it like to shift between roles?

It’s wonderful to switch things up amidst my day. For a little while I get to teach kids how to swim and then shortly afterward I’m guarding the pool and making sure everyone stays safe.

“Plus, every session is full of fresh faces to teach, new stories to hear and new people to meet.”

Can you describe the culture at the pool including working with your colleagues?

The pool is a fantastic place to work because of the people around you. Everyone is super kind and personable, and the environment is welcoming. I’ve met some of the most inspiring people here.

Applications for lifeguard and swim leader fall positions are due Friday, September 25. Visit the Mini U employment page for applications and more details.

Summer camp programs and swimming lessons were originally scheduled to run from July 6 through to Sept. 4, 2020.

“For close to half a century, children from across the province have called Mini U their home away from home during the summer months,” says Mini U Programs’ acting director, Ashley Gagnon. “Countless friendships have been forged and priceless memories have been made. We understand the magnitude of this decision and empathize with its impact to your family.”

If you paid online for your summer camps, a refund will be processed automatically and will appear on your credit card in 4-6 weeks. If you paid in-person, or over the phone, please contact our customer service team Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 204-474-6100 to arrange for a refund.

Please connect with Mini U Programs on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and at miniu.ca for updates and news as it arises.

From our Mini U family to yours, we thank you for your understanding and we look forward to a time we can safely be together again.

The safety of our community is our highest priority. We will continue to work with the rest of UM, health care experts and public health authorities to assess operation of other FKRM programs including Junior Bisons summer camps and Recreation Services summer programming. 

Mini U Programs has been one of the city’s most popular day camps for children for more than 40 years and is now offering an online resource for parents and children at home.

Currently, Mini U staff are posting creative games, tips and activities to the @miniuprograms Instagram and YouTube channels daily. Their hope is to help relieve some of the angst that parents might be feeling as families navigate through self-isolation and the unfamiliarity of the extended time at home.

“As we stay at home, keeping our children engaged in positive activity can be a challenging transition for parents,” says Mini U Programs director, Jay Gamey. “Leading through play can create moments that have a lasting impact between you and your child. Our team wants to help you along the way.”

Mini U Programs recently announced the cancellation of its spring and summer programs scheduled to run from April 13 and July 6 through September 4 respectively.

For all details about Mini U Programs and the Mini U Experience, visit miniu.ca or follow Mini U Programs’ videos on their YouTube or Instagram channels.

Related story:
Mini U summer programs cancelled

While the Public Health Agency of Canada identifies the risk to Canadians as low, we are aiming to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of this illness.

The decision to suspend operations of these facilities does not come lightly, but the safety of our community is our highest priority. Working continually with the rest of UM, health care experts and public health authorities. our goal is to resume operations of our fitness facilities at a time deemed appropriate to do so.

Your business and interactions with UM’s Sport and Recreation Facilities are of great value to us and we sincerely apologize for this inconvenience. We know how integral our fitness and recreation spaces are to the physical health and well-being of our community. During this time we want to encourage you to continue your active lifestyle, whether walking outdoors or using equipment you may have access to in your own home.   

Thank you for your understanding as we engage in this precautionary measure to ensure the safety, health and well-being of our community.

Facilities included in the suspension of operation include:

• the Active Living Centre
• Joyce Fromson Pool
• Joe Doupe Recreation Centre (Bannatyne Campus)
• Max Bell Centre
• Investors Group Athletic Centre
• the Sport and Recreation areas of Frank Kennedy Centre

Impacted programs include:

Mini U Programs

Remaining winter programs and group bookings (effective March 13 – April 12) and the upcoming Spring Break camps (March 30 – April 2) are cancelled. As of today, we continue to plan to operate our summer programming. Our spring programs (not including Spring Break camps) scheduled to begin April 13 will continue as planned.

Recreation Services

Group fitness classes and programs will be cancelled effective at the close of business hours Friday, March 13 at 10 p.m. An automatic process of membership holds or extensions will occur during this suspension of operation. While you are welcome to leave your belongings in your rented locker, we suggest you take any items you may need (e.g. running shoes, fitness apparel, accessories) from now and over the weekend.

We have created an updating thread on our Sport and Recreation Facilities and Programming. This includes updates and information on refunds. Our aim is to update the thread as frequently as possible.

For all COVID-19 updates from the University of Manitoba, please visit umanitoba.ca/coronavirus.

Sincerely,

Dr. Douglas Brown
Dean
Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management

“Today is the day that we have been preparing for. It’s the day our Mini U family is reunited.

It’s the last week of June. Leader Week is upon us. It’s the week-long event to kick-off the summer week prior to campers arriving. Just outside the auditorium, there are 175 leaders, some new, and some returning, all eager to begin their summer with Mini U. Before we open those doors and welcome the remaining members of our family, we, the Leadership Team, made up of supervisors and coordinators, huddle to debrief one last time before the leaders’ training begins. Surrounded by each other, I am filled with a moment of gratitude and thankful to be a part of such an amazing team full of passionate and driven individuals.

And in that moment, I know I am part of a family and right where I belong.

When I got asked to become a supervisor, I was filled with both excitement and fear of not being good enough. On the first day of our training, I remember looking down the table at people who I had admired and looked up to in my previous summers as a leader, and suddenly I was sitting among them and didn’t feel as if I belonged to be there. However, right from the start of supervisor training, the team finds ways to highlight everyone’s different strengths and create a sense of belonging on the team. Throughout the summer my confidence grew, and I found my stride.

Not only was I provided opportunities to develop myself, but also to develop those around me.

Together as a team, we hustled behind the scenes, laughed, and built a community that promoted support and growth. My peers exemplified what it meant to show up for your team and day after day we work together to create our vision for summer.

As a first-year supervisor, my summer was filled with many ups and downs; many moments of success, and also many not so successful. I was consistently supported, and as a group, we were reminded of the value each of us brought to the team. Having the opportunity to once again be a part of the leadership team, learn from those around me, and witness a new group of supervisors find their voice is something that makes me long for the start of summer.

When you join the Mini U Leadership Team, you are not only joining an amazing group of individuals who are incredibly passionate, you are becoming a member of a large, passionate, loud family, that constantly works to find the fun in everything we do.

So, if you are interested in joining a place where your job is so much more than just a job, then you should consider applying to be a supervisor with Mini U Programs.”

Full application details are at miniu.ca

UPCOMING FEATURED EVENT

UM Open House
Explore the University of Manitoba and experience a day in the life of a university student at our annual open house for high school students. Students and parents can attend our evening program to learn more about our programs and services, and connect with staff, professors and current UM students.
Feb. 20 | Free; registration encouraged
Daytime program: 9 AM-2 PM | Evening program: 6-8 PM
UMSU University Centre, 65 Chancellors Circle

The University of Manitoba Theatre Program presents: Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Directed by Professor Bill Kerr, this interpretation of the Scottish play will explore themes of masculinity and gang mentality. 
Jan. 22 – Feb. 1, various times | Tickets: $20, $15 alumni/arts workers, $10 students
Taché Arts Complex, 162 Dafoe Rd.

Centre on Aging Speaker Series: Healthy brain aging, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia: Answers to frequently asked questions
Learn about the brain function changes that can happen as we get older at this Centre on Aging Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Colleen Millikin, a clinical health psychology assistant professor.
Jan. 31, 2:30 PM | Free
Fort Garry Library, 1360 Pembina Hwy.

Café Scientifique: Got (Breast) Milk? Breakthroughs & barriers in breastfeeding research
A panel of experts will debate the latest breakthroughs and hot topics in breastfeeding research, from marijuana to the microbiome. They will also discuss the challenges faced by women who breastfeed (and those who cannot), and the role of public policy in shaping a breastfeeding-friendly society.
Feb. 5, 7-8:30 PM | Free; registration recommended, seating is limited
McNally Robinson Booksellers, 1120 Grant Ave.

“Where We Live Now: Black Liberation Struggles and the University as White Property”
Join us for this Black History Month discussion led by Dr. Delia Douglas, anti-racism practice lead in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.
Feb. 5 | 9 AM-12 PM | Free; registration recommended
Marshall McLuhan Hall, UMSU University Centre, 65 Chancellors Circle

The Robert and Elizabeth Knight Distinguished Lecture with Robin DiAngelo: White Fragility
Be inspired by Dr. Robin DiAngelo, an educator, activist, and author in critical racial and social justice education, whose bestselling book has been called “a stirring call to conscience.”
Feb. 6, 3-5 PM| Free; registration required. To RSVP and indicate any accessibility requirements: rsvp@umanitoba.ca | Investors Group Athletic Centre, 75 Sydney Smith St
Live streaming locations: Frederic Gaspard Theatre, second floor of the Basic Medical Sciences Building, 727 McDermot Ave.; William Norrie Centre, 485 Selkirk Ave.; and Northern Social Work Program, Thompson, MB

Bauhaus (Canada) 101
Curated by Dr. Oliver A. I. Botar
The exhibition provides a crash course on the legendary German design school which influenced Canadian architecture, furniture design, graphic design, art, textiles and pedagogy.
Feb. 13 – Mar. 27 | Free
Opening Reception Feb. 13 | 4:30 – 7 PM
School of Art Gallery, 255 ARTlab, 180 Dafoe Rd.

Louis Riel Day Celebration and Chivaree
Join us for fiddle music, jigging, delicious Indigenous fare and more. Everyone is welcome!
Feb. 14 | 11 AM–1 PM | Free; no registration required
Migizii Agamik – Bald Eagle Lodge, 114 Sidney Smith St.

Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Studies Open House
Learn about our graduate programs and opportunities for students with diverse undergraduate backgrounds. There will be presentations on select graduate programs, Bannatyne campus tours, opportunities to network with professors and current students, and an information village. Pizza lunch!
Feb. 19 | 8 AM – 2 PM | Registration recommended  
Basic Medical Sciences Building, 727 McDermot Ave.

Unsettling Ideas Book Club
Join our meeting to engage in a healthy dialogue and reflection as host, author Alicia Elliott, discusses her book “A Mind Spread Out on the Ground.”
Daytime session: Feb. 27, 11:30 AM – 1 PM | Free; registration required, lunch provided.
Evening session: Feb. 27, 6:30 – 8 PM | Free; registration not required.
William Norrie Centre, 485 Selkirk Ave.

Centre on Aging Speaker Series
“Using CLSA data to help define social isolation and why this matters”
Dr. Nancy Newall, associate professor, Department of Psychology, Brandon University
Feb. 28 | 2:30 PM | Free
Fort Garry Library, 1360 Pembina Hwy.

Visionary Conversations
“How can our community come together to combat the impacts of drug addiction?”
Hosted by President and Vice-Chancellor David T. Barnard
Hear experts discuss if there is an approach that can balance treatment and enforcement, to make our communities healthy and safe.
Mar. 5 | 7 PM | Free; registration required
Brodie Centre Atrium, 727 McDermot Ave.

Register your kids for Mini U Programs today!
Kids have loved our summer programs for more than 40 years.  Check out our unique programs – from architecture to robotics, business to sports.  Your kids will learn leadership skills and new ways to be active with every program.
Spring registration is now open, summer registration opens Mar. 14

Evening Serenades – UM Symphony Orchestra
Take in a performance by the UM Symphony Orchestra featuring concerto competition winner and soprano Paula Berry; new student works; Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll; and Haydn’s Symphony No. 8 “Le Soir.”
Feb. 5 | 7:30 PM | Admission: $15 adults/$5 students
Jubilee Place, MBCI, 173 Talbot Ave.

Opera Scenes – Desautels Chamber Opera Group
This diverse production of select opera scenes showcases the vocal talents and range of Desautels opera performers.
Feb. 12 & 14, 7:30 PM | Admission: $20 adults/$12 students
John J. Conklin Theatre in the Gail Asper Performing Arts Hall
Taché Arts Complex, 162 Dafoe Rd.

Archives Exhibit: “He was the Very Model of a Modern Research Scientist”: Reginald Buller and the Founding of the University of Manitoba
This Libraries and Archives Exhibition features a recreation of Buller’s lab and office, and includes many fascinating historical documents such as lantern slides, posters and wall charts, along with selected teaching and research papers.
Until Aug. 21, 2020 | M–F, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM | Free
University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections
330 Elizabeth Dafoe Library, 25 Chancellors Circle

Don’t miss out on these other University of Manitoba community events in 2020.

This interview was condensed and edited for clarity.

What attracted you to the supervisor position?

I talked a lot about the position with my supervisor the year before. They told me how great it was to continue to develop on these skill-sets we’re honing. I really enjoyed the development part of Mini U.

What advice would you give someone thinking of applying?

Have the confidence to believe that you can do this.

Why do you like working at Mini U?

Its environment encourages leaders and supervisors to experience positive development and to be creative while working. I enjoy coming into work and finding the fun throughout the day.

What was your experience as a supervisor like?

Super (get it?). I really enjoyed it. I think applying to be a supervisor was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The job is an experience like no other. Everyone you get to meet and help guide along the way makes it an incredible experience.

What was your favourite part of the summer?

Helping others achieve their goals, and developing a fun environment for the leaders and campers.

What was the most rewarding part of your summer?

Working with such a close group of people. Everyone works so hard at their job. It makes you want to be the best person you can be so you can support those who need help.

Supervisor application deadline is Monday, Jan. 13.