Last month, Niagara College’s Welland Campus welcomed a group of energetic young visitors for a day of creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning. Campers from La Boîte à Soleil, a March Break camp based in Welland, were invited to campus to take part in an interactive experience led by students in NC’s Recreation Therapy program.
Now in its second year, the partnership between Niagara College and La Boîte à Soleil continues to create meaningful opportunities for both campers and students. While campers enjoy an immersive and engaging day on campus, students gain valuable experience by applying their therapeutic recreation knowledge in real-world settings – enhancing engagement, improving accessibility, and supporting physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being through purposeful activity.
A camper gets acquainted with a robotic seal during La Boîte à Soleil’s visit to NC.
“We were thrilled to once again partner with La Boîte à Soleil to provide a unique experience for their campers,” said Debbie Ann Fender, Recreation Therapy professor in the School of Community Services. “Working with campers allowed our students to strengthen their skills and confidence in delivering inclusive, engaging programs that support children’s well-being, while applying what they’ve learned in the classroom.”
A total of 36 campers participated in a variety of activities designed and facilitated by students. The day featured outdoor play, creative and sensory-based experiences, and innovative technology-driven stations. Campers explored virtual reality (VR), experimented with Buddha Boards, and visited a robotics lab where they interacted with robotic companions, including birds, seals, and HUG – a sensory device designed with a calming heartbeat to promote relaxation.
Participants also had the opportunity to experience the Niagara College Therapeutic Recreation Activity Collective (NC-TRAC), including its Snoezelen rooms (specialized multi-sensory environments that help reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and enhance mood through thoughtfully designed sensory stimulation).
The snoezelen room houses various pieces of equipment designed to stimulate participants through light, sound, and touch.
The initiative aligns closely with RECL1214: Therapeutic Recreation Program Delivery, a 2nd semester course led by Fender. The course takes an applied approach to building students’ skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating therapeutic recreation services, with a focus on inclusion and adaptation.
For Recreation Therapy student Karsyn Venus, the experience highlighted the real-world impact of her studies.
“Experiences like the March Break camp give our class the chance to put what we’ve learned in the classroom into practice,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to build confidence in our skills and see firsthand how meaningful, engaging activities can make a difference. It really shows how adapting activities, working as a team, and bringing positive energy can create inclusive, impactful environments while preparing us for life after graduation.”
Through partnerships like this, NC continues to demonstrate the power of experiential learning by equipping students with the skills, confidence, and compassion needed to make a meaningful impact in their future careers.
