Apr. 12th, 2012 – Comtech class visits Sinking Ship

YMCA Academy Experiential Learning, Technology

On Wednesday April 11th, the students of the grade 11 Communications Technology class visited Sinking Ship Entertainment, a Toronto-based production company who creates children’s and preschool television and media. Students had the opportunity to learn about augmented reality and iPad app creation, CG animation, 3-D video shooting and editing, writing for television, and sound editing. Students also tried animating dinosaurs and recorded audio to be used in an episode of the ‘Dino Dan’ series. Many thanks to Sinking Ship for hosting us!

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Visit the Sinking Ship Entertainment Website

Apr. 3rd, 2012 – The pre-schoolers are coming

YMCA Academy English and Humanities, Experiential Learning

The Academy’s Living and Working with Children (HPW3C) course will be hosting the FDC’s pre-school group at the Academy every Thursday starting this week. Be ready for the sound of little feet and laughter. Students in the course have been learning about children’s role in society and their growth and development which will serve them well when they are developing activities for our hosting sessions.

Some activities on the horizon:

  • Seed planting for greening of  the play space
  • Animal Bags
  • Smart-board shapes
  • Marching Band
  • Making Silly Putty
  • Dinosaur Stomp

We have also committed to assisting the school-age group on a field trip to see REAL dinosaur bones at the ROM. If you’d like to volunteer – please send an email to our volunteer coordinator Kaili Glennon.

Apr. 3rd, 2012 – Eco-Ambassador Program Update

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

Statefarm’s Eco-Ambassador Program begins Segment Three:  “Urban Ecology”

Our Statefarm funded Eco-Ambassador program is in full-swing. This week we began Segment Three: Urban Ecology. Evergreen staff, Stuart and Liz, visited the Academy and provided an introduction to the concept of Urban Ecology. We spent much of our time setting up a values system for our end of program project: Greening the FDC childcare space.



Last year the Academy began greening the childcare space. We had little idea what would be suitable – but we worked hard. As the snow melted and the ground became visible, at the FDC, we were eager to see last year’s survivors. With Evergreen’s expertise and our hard work – we look forward to an amazing space!

FDC Child Care space before greening transformation

Mar. 8th, 2012 – YEC Cold Weather Workshop

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom, Experiential Learning

On Wednesday March 7, 2012, the YMCA Academy students who will be participating on the Youth Exchange Canada program to Ouje-Bougoumou, Quebec trekked to Mountain Equipment Coop, MEC for short, for a mini workshop on how to stay dry and warm in colder weather climates.  The workshop was lead by one of MEC’s super-employees, Darryl Fraser, an avid outdoor photographer who knows first hand what it takes to stay dry and warm in cold climates.

During our visit Darryl discussed the importance of layering in cold climates.  We learned about the importance of moisture control with the base layer so that the skin stays dry, the insulation the mid layer provides, and the many types of outer layers from waterproof-breathables to rain-wear and soft shells.  It was especially interesting to learn about the amazing properties of Merino wool such as being able to absorb three times its weight in moisture and being very “stink” resistant.

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Visit the Youth Exchanges Canada Website

Visit the Mountain Equipment Co-op Website

Mar. 6th, 2012 – Ontario Court of Justice Trip

YMCA Academy Community, English and Humanities, Experiential Learning

Thanks to the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN) Courtrooms & Classrooms program, the YMCA Academy grade 11 English class had the chance to visit the Ontario Court of Justice at 311 Jarvis Street. On Wednesday, February 29th, the students were given a tour of the facility, observed court in session, and had the opportunity to meet with a Justice of the Peace. The excursion made many of the events of the novel Monster come to life, and served as an excellent introduction to the upcoming debate unit, during which students will explore issues related to youth criminal justice.