March Break and Summer Camps

Step Into the World of Neuroscience, and Discover the Power of Your Brain!

Are you passionate about science and curious about how your brain works? Bright Lights in the Lab is a one-of-a-kind camp that brings neuroscience to life, while helping you develop critical thinking and research skills in an information-rich world. In small teams, you’ll investigate how AI-powered research can advance real-world neuroscience discoveries and explore how they connect to your everyday life. (Senior campers will get hands-on with the Perplexity AI tool. Senior campers must be 13 years or older at the start of camp. For full terms of use, please visit the Perplexity AI website.) 

Making connections in the brain is what brings neuroscience to life, revealing how different functions are linked in surprising ways. To experience this firsthand, you will break down a neuroscience phenomenon (like why we dream) and explore how the same brain processes shape another function, like problem-solving or creativity. On the final day, you and your group will present your findings, explaining the connections you’ve made and sharing your discoveries with clarity and confidence.

This isn’t just another science camp, it’s a chance to explore the brain, develop real-world research skills, and engage in scientific inquiry like never before!

This program is offered in partnership with the Firefly Foundation. The Firefly Foundation generously funds 10 scholarships per session to deserving students. All scholarships for the Junior program have now been awarded; limited scholarships remain for the Senior program. Scholarship applications remain open for the Senior program only, and will be awarded on a rolling basis. 

Apply for a Bright Lights Scholarship

Junior and Senior Bright Lights in the Lab are now full. Please email [email protected] to join the waitlist.

Drawing Skills for Character Design

Who creates the characters in your favourite games, comics and films? How do the appearance of these characters help tell a story? In this introduction to character design, campers will strengthen their creative thinking and their drawing skills as they invent and develop a visual character design. In addition to learning about how character designers create their artwork, campers will work in the art studio and develop their brainstorming and observational drawing skills, learn how to use and control colour (pencil crayon and digital options) and other key visual literacy strategies.

* This is a laptop-optional camp.  Traditional hands-on materials (pencils, markers, sketchbooks, etc) will be provided and campers will be taught how to use them. However, students may choose to use their own drawing software on their own laptop if they prefer. Students who bring one should already be familiar with their programs (Photoshop, GIMP etc), as the teaching will focus on the character design process, not learning how to use software.

Register today!

Ask Questions! Create Solutions! Make Change!

To all leaders and problem-solvers of tomorrow - get ready to embark on an eye-opening journey in the Global Health Mini-Masters program. 

At this camp, you learn from faculty who will help you unpack the most pressing public health issues facing the most vulnerable populations around the world. 

Your faculty’s real-world global health experience and expert investigative and research skills, will show you what it takes to master global health! 

With the Mini-Masters you'll explore the importance of global health guided by the themes of diversity, equity, justice and kindness. You'll hone your critical thinking skills and unleash your creativity to address the most urgent global healthcare challenges today and come up with solutions of your own!  Global Health Mini-Masters is offered in partnership with Postgraduate Medical Education, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. See details from this link.

You can change the world!

This camp is now now full. Please email [email protected] to join the waitlist.

Learn more about what Global Health Mini-Masters has to offer you ⬇️

Presented in partnership with

Explore the beauty of mathematics

Do you love math? Does Sudoku tickle your brain? Expand your understanding of math and how to apply it in the real world as you build intricate 3D structures and learn ways to solve puzzles with logic.  Get to know different ways of using math in new and unexpected ways. Math is everywhere, so sign up for Hands on Math to see it in a new light.  Please note that this camp is similar to the one that ran during March and Summer 2024.  Students are welcome to register again, but the programming will not be significantly different.  

This program welcomes all math skill levels.

Register today!

Problem-Solving for the 21st Century

Are you ready to unlock your creative potential? In collaboration with the I-Think Institute, this camp invites curious minds to harness the power of Integrative Thinking, a problem-solving approach pioneered by Roger Martin at the Rotman School of Business. Integrative thinking challenges students to explore opposing models to generate a creative resolution to real problems.  

This year we will partner with Dufferin Mall property managers to address a sustainability challenge. Participants will take on the role of environmental consultants to develop innovative enhancements to reduce the mall’s environmental impact. Working in small teams, the students will research and craft inventive solutions. We invite family members to attend the culminating presentations on the final day of camp!

Please note: the sustainability challenge addressed in this camp is similar to the program offered during March Break 2025.

Register today!

Discover How Cities Work

Maximum City camps offer hands-on learning and discovery of what makes cities work. Topics include design, architecture, health, sustainability, and climate change. Campers explore these issues through a series of field trips and collaborative activities led by experts. Our camps have operated on the University of Toronto downtown campus since 2011 and in satellite locations around the world.

No prior knowledge is required. Learn more here or contact Maximum City at [email protected].

This camp is for students who want to learn:

• How to design
• How to collaborate
• How to build community
• How to solve problems

Reserve your spot today!

Junior

Week of July 7   Week of July 14   Week of July 21

Senior

Week of July 7   Week of July 14

Argue, refute, deliberate, with style!

If you are new to debate, and are looking to build a set of foundational skills in these areas, this camp is for you!  Run by experienced debaters and coaches, this camp will teach you the basics of argumentation, refutation and rebuilding and provide an introduction to Canadian Parliamentary debating.  Whether you are looking to get involved in competitive debating, to build confidence in public speaking or just wanting to build a solid foundation for your future English and humanities courses, this program will have something for you.  No experience necessary.  Culminates in a debate showcase for families.

Please note: This course will be the same as the first half of the Foundation programme offered as part of the Debate extracurricular at UTS

Debate Essentials is now full. Please email [email protected] to join the waitlist.

Argue, refute, deliberate, with style!

If you have some experience with debate and are looking to build upon your current skills in British Parliamentary Debate, this camp is for you!  Run by experienced debaters and coaches, this camp will teach you how to construct analyzed arguments, provide compelling refutation and rebuilding, and persuade judges. Whether you have experience debating in tournaments, other camps, or at your school, this camp will provide a fun opportunity to deepen your skills and prepare you to take the tournament circuit by storm.  Culminates in a debate showcase for families.

If you do not have competitive debate experience but would still like to be considered for this camp, please email [email protected] to inquire further.

Reserve your spot today!

Put your ideas to paper!

Whether you're new to creative writing or want to hone your story-telling skills, The Story Jam welcomes you for a week of writing, reading and exploration. Come with enthusiasm and leave with a completed short story at the end of Camp. We’ll break down the history and importance of stories and the way we tell them while taking a look at our favourite novels, games, comics, movies and zines. Take the first step of your wordsmithing journey and join the Jam!

Story Jam is now full. Please email [email protected] to join the waitlist.

Explore colour and texture

Campers will experiment with a variety of watercolour painting techniques that will build their confidence and skills allowing them to create a mini portfolio of works. This introductory camp is both for people who have never picked up a brush before, as well as ones who would like to develop and hone their watercolour painting technique. We will explore texturing methods to create abstract effects and use under drawing and projection to transfer imagery.  Campers will experiment with wet on wet, flooding, dry brush, blooming, splattering and masking. Light tables, drawing boards and transfer paper will support students who are interested in painting realistic imagery. There will be a gallery exhibition of works to end the week. All paint and paper supplies will be provided.

Register for Junior today!

Register for Senior today!

Junior and Senior will be running as separate sections of the same camp.

Click here for the UTS Camps Code of Conduct

University of Toronto Schools is located on the corner of Spadina Ave and Bloor St. W. at 371 Bloor Street West.  The main entrance is located off of Washington Ave. (one block south of Bloor).  

• The two closest subway stations are Spadina and St. George.
• Street parking is limited in the area; there is a small paid parking lot (run by the University of Toronto) located behind the building and accessible from the northbound lane of Spadina Ave.  
• If arriving by bike, there are several bike posts surrounding our school.

• UTS does not offer a purchasable lunch program.  Students should bring a packed lunch or be prepared to purchase in the neighborhood.
• In general, participants currently in Grade 9 or lower eat their lunch on site under supervision, while participants currently in Grade 10 or higher may sign out to purchase and eat lunch off site.  Younger students can be given permission to leave the building during lunch, but with the understanding that they will be unsupervised

UTS is pleased to offer a complimentary extended care program for the convenience of parents and guardians.  It runs from 8:00 a.m. to camp start, and from camp end to 5:00 p.m. 

University of Toronto Schools (UTS) reserves the right to reschedule or cancel any Experience Innovation @ UTS program. We strive to let clients know if a program has to be rescheduled or cancelled well in advance of the start date.

• If UTS cancels, clients will be contacted and rebooked for another program of the same or similar program. In the case of a UTS cancellation, registrants may also request a full refund.
• If a client cancels, all cancellations prior to the cancellation deadlines listed below, are subject to a fee of $50. No refunds will be issued after June 15th for summer programs and February 15th for March Break programs.
• Cancellation requests may be submitted by phone, email, online or in person. If you have any questions or concerns about our cancellation policy, please contact us at [email protected].