Creating intergenerational connections through School’s Out Summer
Intergenerational Summer Camp brings kids and seniors together for learning and fun.
“I want to pick lots of blueberries – more than 200!” says Simran. “We are going to learn about farming today and the names of plants in English and Punjabi.” 10-year-old Simran is super excited about her United Way BC School’s Out Summer camp field trip to a local Surrey blueberry farm. Along with 60 other kids, her grandmother Manjit and grandfather Santokh will be joining her to learn more about farming, an important part of Punjabi culture. They are part of Solid State Community Industries’ GenConnect School’s Out Summer program in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood, which pairs kids and seniors for a two-week long summer camp during August.
“The night before, [Simran] told us we have to wake her up early so that she could get here on time. Then she woke us up at 6AM!” laughs Manjit. “She was very excited for this new experience and to make new friends. This summer camp is very important.”
“There are a lot of multi-generational households where the parents have to be out of the house to work, sometimes multiple jobs, and the kids are left at home with grandparents to take care of them. Often kids are staring at a screen, the TV or iPad and we know that’s not healthy for them.
“By facilitating a School’s Out Summer camp focused on intergenerational engagement, it’s a great way to have a formal space for the seniors to share their life experiences, skills, and wisdom with younger generations, while kids can teach seniors about new technologies and contemporary trends,” says Jshandeep, Co-Director at Solid State Community Industries, a Surrey-based non-profit, and GenConnect School’s Out Summer Camp Coordinator.
United Way BC provides vital summer programming
The GenConnect School’s Out Summer Camp is one of 22 program sites taking place across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley in 2024. School’s Out Summer provides kids access to free or low-cost quality summer programs to have positive, fun and healthy experiences during July and August.
“The summer break is also known as the summer slide because students can forget months of learning and regress over the break when school is closed. Canada also has one of the longest summer breaks in the world, but the middle years are critical years in a child’s development; indeed, the ages of 6 to 12 represent the second largest brain growth period in a human’s life. This is an opportunity to literally ‘root’ in the skills and resiliency that a child needs to succeed in the future,” says Trisha Dulku, Strategic Initiatives Manager for Children and Youth at United Way BC.
Creating belonging
“There is a lot of stigma and assumptions that people make about Surrey…There are stereotypes and assumptions made about gang violence, crime, and that can make kids and families feel like they don’t belong. Opportunities like a School’s Out Summer camp can help make kids and families feel a sense of belonging” Jshandeep says.
Interacting with different age groups also helps reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation for both kids and seniors and both kids and grandparents agree that it beats sitting at home.
“This camp is great for kids to learn something new in the summer, but I think it’s good for seniors too. Kids don’t really get to do so much and sit at home, so this is a good way for them to bond with their grandparents,” Simran says.
“We felt so happy. It’s a good experience to help the kids, we can also meet other seniors and kids, they all get to spend time together,” says Manjit. “We enjoy excursions as they keep us happy and busy. We can also help teach kids about Punjabi culture, language, farming tools.”
“It helps in building strong social connections and fostering a sense of belonging. Some of these kids don’t have grandparents so through this program they’re able to learn about their culture and feel connected to an older role model. We also have high school students and university students volunteering with the camp,” says Jshandeep. One of those volunteers is Simran’s older sister and second-year University of BC student, Manpreet.
Cultural experiences and more
Along with field trips to a farm, practicing her language skills in English and Punjabi,and eating homemade Punjabi meals, Simran’s favorite activities have been tie-dying a colourful ramaal (headscarf) to wear to the Gurudwara (temple) and to Bhangra (dance) classes.
Thanks to School’s Out Summer and United Way BC donors, Simran is not only learning more about her heritage and culture, but is also receiving vital emotional and social support, which leads to academic success and better overall physical health and well-being.
“Donors ensure that kids are learning and better prepared for the school year and are able to nourish not just their bellies, but their hearts and minds too,” says Jshandeep. “The activities that the kids, youth, and grandparents are doing help strengthen community ties, creating a more cohesive and supportive environment. This summer camp is encouraging people of all ages to contribute to and benefit from a thriving community.
“This program has really helped bring Simran out of her shell. She’s been able to develop her social and communication skills. She’s building confidence and she is developing a quiet leadership that often draws the other kids to her,” Jshandeep says.
“I’m practicing my English and Punjabi skills – learning colours, numbers. We did a family tree activity – it was helpful to talk to my grandparents and to do that activity with their help,” Simran says. “I’m glad I made new friends here.”