West Island day camp mixes schoolwork, fun activities as teachers’ strikes continue

A day camp in the West Island is offering a mix of studies and activities for kids who are out of school due to the ongoing teachers’ strikes.

Most public schools across Quebec are closed as teachers are on the picket lines, with negotiations continuing between unions and the government.

Many parents have had to scramble to find last-minute child care during the day while they work.

That’s where the Canadian Youth Development centre – known as the CYD Center – comes in. The centre in Pierrefonds-Roxboro is for all ages.

“We figured, well, why not use the facility where we have classrooms, where we have a game room and whatnot, to try to get something going as quickly as possible,” said CYD Center camp director Suhail Niazi. “And we were able to turn this around in a couple of days.”

The camp operates from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday to Thursday at a cost of $25 per day.

“I’m just happy for my children that they have this to come to on days that they’re not able to be at school,” said West Island parent Charma Calimlim. “Because school is about learning, but it’s also about socializing, being around people.”

“I was happy to find a place to put them because (I’m) at work and my husband’s travelling right now, so it’s definitely a plus,” added Farnaz Waheed.

Fellow West Island parent Sarah Khan acknowledges the strike can be seen as a disruption, but she’s fully supportive of teachers fighting for a new collective agreement.

“I recognize that teachers need better working conditions, better pay, and just a better overall environment,” Khan said. “Because that reflects on the children as well, in the end, so whatever they need to do to get to that, I’m all for supporting that.”

The camp is a big hit among the kids who spoke to CityNews Wednesday.

Hamza Hussain, his sister Aizah Hussain and Zayn Niazi described having fun at the camp.

“You can play and with your friends in the game room,” Hamza said.

“I made some bracelets here,” added Aizah. “I was working on this thing where you have to put the stickers in the right spot.”

“I like playing in the game room because there’s basketball and video games,” Zayn added.

Grade 3 student Myra Khan says it’s not all fun and games – they do schoolwork as well.

“This camp lets us do homework, cause it’s a strike,” Myra said. “So, our teacher gives us a homework and we have to do it for the whole week.

“I have a picture on my iPad and I have to write about what I see.”

One of the camp’s goals is to have teenagers take on the responsibilities of camp councillors. They oversee the hour-and-a-half of schoolwork scheduled for each day and the activities in the games room.

“I don’t find it as much of a responsibility,” said de facto camp counsellor Salahuddin Mohamed. “I feel more like an honour, honestly. These kids were all off school, were all on strike. Just to be able to get back to community, let them build a close relationship with the community, it feels really rewarding, feels good.”

The CYD Center was created about three months ago to serve youth in both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities in the area. This camp is just one of many programs offered there.

“This is first time we’re doing it,” said Niazi. “We did at the CYD and we look forward to continuing similar programs down the line.”