Twelve-year-old Cartier Assadbeigi will be a year younger than most of her peers when she starts high school this fall. She’s also over 5′ 8″ tall, reads three books at once, and likes to watch old horror movies and post reviews on YouTube.
“Cartier is very mature for her age, but she’s not sporty and she doesn’t mingle very well,” says her mother April. Like all parents, April wants her daughter to be happy, and to find people she can connect with.
Last year, Cartier and April discovered Arcade Bunker, a one-week video game camp for youth aged nine through 16 offered by UBC Sport Camps. Campers race Mario Carts, compete in a Battle of the Bands with Guitar Hero, and participate in outdoor activities between gaming sessions.
For Cartier, who started gaming at age four when Pokemon came out, it was a perfect fit.
“She got to meet like-minded people,” says April. “There were people Cartier could play with and give her social interaction.”
Arcade Bunker emerged from this idea of creating an environment where children who aren’t your typical campers, can go to socialize and excel in something they love.
“We want to have something for everybody,” says Kyle Cupido, manager of UBC Sport Camps. “Kids come to Arcade Bunker who don’t necessarily fit into other programs we offer.”
With child obesity rates ballooning, a video game camp may seem like a step in the wrong direction. But Cupido says UBC Sport Camps, which has about 7,000 registrants every summer, is there to get children out of the house and actively participating in a variety of activities with their peers. “If their strength is in that field, let them develop that,” says April. “I don’t think the games are the problem. If a parent sits their kid down in front of a television or video game and doesn’t pay any attention to them, that’s the problem.”
And, because the camp is only a half-day, many campers spend their mornings playing football or tennis at some of the other programs offered by UBC Sport Camps.
Arcade Bunker isn’t the only camp that isn’t all about sports. Uniquely You is a camp that helps teach girls about healthy lifestyles to improve their social and emotional well-being. Junior Leadership Camp gets young adults involved in the coaching and planning of camps, and provides workshops on coaching and teaching.
This year UBC Sport Camps has added programs in ultimate Frisbee, track and field, skateboard and BMX and golf. There are also the longstanding favourites, soccer and adventure camps, where campers kayak, rock climb and bike all over the Lower Mainland.
Arcade Bunker was new last year, and Cartier was one of 23 campers who gave it a try. It’s back this year, and campers get the added bonus of touring Electronic Arts’ (EA) Burnaby facility.
EA is one of the largest and most successful video game development companies in the world, known for games like FIFA Soccer and Need For Speed. The campers will be trying out some of the cool technologies and
fun facilities that EA employees use every day.
“Electronic Arts is participating in the camp to inspire youth who are passionate about video games so that they are aware of the amazing career opportunities available in this industry,” says Jackie Copland, senior manager of Talent Acquisition for EA.
Inspiring youth and supporting personal development are just part of the reason UBC puts on summer camps. Most of the camp staff and counselors are UBC students and athletes.
“It really is a leadership and learning opportunity for UBC students,” says Cupido. “Our instructors are positive role models for the campers.”
“The more exposure youth have to university life, the more likely they are to attend an institution of higher learning.”
