How Mini U works

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A Mini U leader and child smile at the camera making peace signs in a busy gymnasium.

Programs and activities

Your time with us should be an experience. Our programs create mini moments that have a big impact on the lives of our participants.

We believe in hands-on and engaging activities. Program activities are organized in to two categories:

  • program content
  • recreational activities

  • Program content

    Select a program of your choice. Our leaders will build lessons that focus on that subject area (ex. special interests, sports, specialty aquatics).

    Each of the summer camp programs are created for a one week experience. If you choose to attend a program multiple weeks you will experience the same content each week. 

    Our Mini and Junior Bisons sport based programs will be lead with the expert guidance of our Bison Sport departments. 

    Unique experiences

    Our experience grows as our participants do. Programs are designed to keep you engaged and excited to come back. Unique, age-appropriate programs, activities, T-shirts, leadership cards, spaces and opportunities are created for each age group.

  • Recreational activities

    Many programs include recreational activity time as part of their schedule, indicated in program descriptions with the abbreviation "rec." A wide range of recreational activities are used to engage participants in physical activity and leadership. We create activities that help participants develop physical literacy and social skills. Our goal is to keep you engaged and participating in the action.

    Recreational swimming

    The Joyce Fromson Pool remains closed at this time and will not be used for summer camp activities.

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Spring break and summer camp

The information in this section will provide you with everything you need to know before you arrive for your day camp this spring break or summer.

2026 Camp Dates

Spring Break Camps
March 30 - April 2
No programs on April 3
Summer Camps
Play Days
July 2 & 3
Week 1
July 6 - 10
Week 2
July 13 - 17
Week 3
July 20 - 24
Week 4
July 27 - 31
Week 5*
Aug. 4 - 7
Week 6
Aug. 10 - 14
Week 7
Aug. 17 - 21
Week 8
Aug. 24 - 28
Week 9
Aug. 31 - Sept. 4
*Indicates a 4 day camp week due to observation of statutory holiday

  • Locations

    Mini U Programs and Junior Bisons administrative offices
    Room 211 Max Bell Centre (109 Sidney Smith Street)

    Camp Arrival and departure
    Mini U Programs - Max Bell Centre Field House (109 Sidney Smith Street) 
     

Arrival & check-in process

Supervision is available from 7:45 - 9:00 a.m., with programming starting at 9:00 a.m. There will be no programming before 9:00 a.m., so participants should bring an activity for this time.

Upon arrival, please follow these steps:

  1. Find Your Group: Check the group lists posted near the entrance inside the field house. Look for the age group and program you have selected to find your group.
  2. Check In: Once you know your group, find the group's leader to check in.

Depending on your arrival time:

  • 7:45 to 8:30 a.m.: Check in at the entrance (expect delays). Limited staff are available during this time.
  • 8:30 to 9:00 a.m.: Check in with your group.

Pets are not permitted in the MBC Field House at anytime, including camp drop off and pick up.

Parking and accessibility

Parking is available in the I and U lots for arrival and departure (I lot is only for Spring Break Camps). Follow the signage to find the correct lots upon arrival.

Insider tip: The U lot is a bit farther to walk but offers quicker access on and off campus.

Arrival (7:45 to 9 a.m.): No pass required.
Departure (3:45 to 5:30* p.m.): No pass required.
*Note: Pick up concludes at 5:00 p.m. during Spring Break Camps.

 Parking map

Parking tickets may be issued outside of the specific arrival and departure times listed above, or if parked in non specified lots. 

  • Accessible parking

    Proximal parking spaces are available in I lot for customers with a Manitoba Parking Permit Program pass. Display your permit visibly from the rear-view mirror and our staff in this parking lot will be happy to assist you.

  • Event days

    Princess Auto Stadium event days may impact your ability to access campus on days of your selected program. 

    More information

  • Daytime parking

    Pay and park spaces are available in the Active Living Centre lot. Use the meters and spaces as indicated.

  • First day experience

    Arrival on the first day is commonly slower compared to other days of the week. Please allow yourself some additional time to get checked in.

  • Late arrivals

    We hope you don’t miss out on your program activities beginning at 9 a.m. If you arrive after 9 a.m., check-in at the tent outside the Max Bell Centre garage door. We will connect you with your group at our earliest convenience. 

    When arriving late to camp, the best place for guardians to park is in the metered spots in V lot. These spots are directly along the side of Investors Group Athletic Centre. Families are required to pay for parking outside of regular pick up and drop off times. 

  • Leader Hours

    The majority of our camp leader team work 8:30-4:30. If you would like to speak directly to your child's leader(s) please consider dropping off and picking up during this time. 

Typical camp day schedule

The schedule below is based on 3 hours of program content per day. Individual program descriptions indicate the number of hours scheduled for program content and recreational activities. Activities are subject to change without notice.

7:45 to 9:00 a.m.
Check in
9 to 10 a.m.
Program content
(e.g. basketball or science)
10 to 11 a.m.
Program content
(e.g. basketball or science)
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Program content
(e.g. basketball or science)
12 to 1 p.m.
Lunch
1 to 2 p.m.
Recreational activities
(e.g. bouncer or spikeball)
2 to 3 p.m.
Recreational activities
(e.g. lacrosse or dodgeball)
3 to 4 p.m.
Recreational activities
(e.g. flag football or soccer)
4 to 5:30 p.m.*

Check out*

*Note: Pick up concludes at 5:00 p.m. during Spring Break Camps.
A fee of $1 per minute per child will be charged to all participants picked up after 5:00 p.m.

Lunch and snacks

Age-appropriate lunch spaces are assigned to each group and supervised by our Leaders. Participants are required to eat in the designated areas. Before getting to the lunchroom, participants will be given the opportunity and encouraged to wash their hands.

Our programs are action-packed. We recommend sending a healthy lunch with additional snacks for the day. Please note that microwaves are not available.

Participants in a Mini U program for youth ages 12 and up can purchase lunch on Fridays from the campus food court. This is the only time snacks or meals may be purchased. Please talk with your camper about their purchasing plans, and encourage a nutritious lunch. We will discourage them from purchasing drinks with high caffeine content. 

The campus food court is cashless. All purchases must be made using debit, credit, or mobile payment.

Children are required to remain with their group for the lunch period. If you would like to spend the lunch hour with your child you may do so, but you will be required to sign them out for the remainder of the day.  

  • Allergy aware environment

    We do our best to create an environment that is allergy aware but due to the size and diversity of the university we cannot guarantee that all spaces will be free of your child’s allergens. 

  • Forgotten lunch

    If a participant does not have a packed lunch, their guardian will be contacted. Light snacks will be available while we wait for the meal to arrive.

  • Food restrictions

    Participants are expected to bring food that does not include nuts. Nut replacement products such as wow butter are permitted. In the event of a severe food allergy in your child’s group, you may be expected to avoid additional foods or ingredients.

  • Movies

    Participants will eat lunch in space provided. Younger groups aged 4-7 and 8-11 may be shown age appropriate movies for a portion of the lunch hour. 

Check-out process

Find your group sign and check out with our leaders by presenting your government-issued photo ID. Children will only be released to individuals authorized through the personal information form, which must be filled out before the child attends. To ensure no delays in pick up, please make sure this form is filled out correctly.

  • 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.: Check out at your group.
  • 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.: Check out at the exit (expect delays). Check out closes at 5:00 p.m. for Spring Break Camps and in-service days.

Programming ends at 4:00 and most program leaders end work at 4:30 p.m. Limited staff are available for supervision from 4:30-5:30 (5:00 during Spring Break Camps). Children are encouraged to bring activities for this time. 

  • Early pick-ups

    Please notify our staff as soon as you become aware of a need to check out before 4 p.m.

    We would be happy to accommodate an early check-out on the top of every hour ie. 10 a.m., 11 a.m., Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., or 3 p.m. Early check out occurs at the tent outside the Max Bell Centre garage door.

    Children will only be released to individuals that have been authorized for pick up. Photo identification is required. 

    Note: When leaving camp early, the best place for guardians to park is in the metered spots in V lot. These spots are directly along the side of Investors Group Athletic Centre. Families are required to pay for parking outside of regular pick up and drop off times. 

  • Authorized pick-ups

    Families will have the opportunity to add authorized adults to pick up their children before the program begins via our electronic personal information form. In the event you would like to authorize additional adults after the program has begun, a member of our leadership team would be happy to assist you.

  • Late fees

    A $1 per minute fee will be charged to families arriving after designated check-out times. Payment is required before continuation in the program.

What to bring (and what not to bring)

The day is action-packed. We recommend you come prepared with: 

  • a water bottle
  • a hat
  • sunscreen
  • bug spray
  • physical activity clothing
  • comfortable running shoes
  • a bagged lunch that does not require a microwave

Activities will be indoors during Spring Break Camps

We strongly recommend that campers do not bring the following items to camp:

  • electronic devices as they are not permitted during program hours
  • collector cards
  • valuables
  • Pokémon cards

  • Lost and found

    We do our best to help participants keep their personal belongings with them at all times. All items that are found will be brought to a central location in the Max Bell Field House. In the event that you have lost an item, a lost and found will be available for you at arrival and departure.

    The University of Manitoba is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen personal belongings.

  • T-shirts

    During the summer, participants attending camps will receive one complimentary Mini U Programs T-shirt to take home. Shirts will be provided during their first week of programs. We do our best to deliver your preferred shirt sizes however sizes are not guaranteed.

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Evening and weekend programs

  • Locations and parking

    Please pay close attention to your program description. Our weekend and evening locations will typically be held in the following buildings: 

    1. Frank Kennedy Centre (420 University Crescent)
    2. The Active Living Centre (430 University Crescent)
    3. Max Bell Centre (109 Sydney Smith Street)

    Parking

    Parking is provided for in ALC, U and P parking lots. Parking in these lots is free after 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and on weekends. Please pay careful attention to the signage in these lots as there are some spaces that are reserved 24 hours for staff parking only.

     Parking map

    Parking tickets may be issued if parking occurs outside of the times and specifications listed above.

  • Check-in & check-out

    Check-in

    Entry for program classes is available 30 minutes before the start of the program. While in our facilities, participants aged 14 and younger must be accompanied by a parent. 

    Upon arrival, check in with your program leader in the space or room indicated on your receipt.

    All visitors to our facilities are required to remove their outdoor shoes, however indoor shoes are welcome.

    Check-out

    Participants are dismissed from the class. Parents and guardians are expected to be readily available to supervise children once the program is completed. Our team will not be available to assist in changing after the program or supervise participants.

     

  • Changing rooms 

    Our facilities have various changing spaces available for you. 

    The community changing room has been designed for everyone. It contains space that is accessible and enclosed for changing/showering, use of lockers and using the rest facilities. This space is located on the second floor of the Frank Kennedy Centre adjacent to the pool observation deck. 

    Male and female changing rooms are also available. These rooms are accessible and contain open spaces for changing, showering, use of lockers and rest facilities. These spaces are located on the first floor of the Frank Kennedy and Max Bell Centres.

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