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.

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.

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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.

2025 Camp Dates

Spring Break Camps: 2026 Dates TBD

Summer Camp dates:
Week 1:   June 30 & July 2 - July 4 *
Week 2:   July 7 - 11
Week 3:   July 14 - 18
Week 4:   July 21 - July 25
Week 5:   July 28 - August 1
Week 6:   August 5 - 8 *
Week 7:   August 11 - 15
Week 8:   August 18 - 22
Week 9:   August 25 - 29

*Indicates a 4 day camp week due to observation of statutory holiday

  • Location

    Mini U Programs and Junior Bisons administrative offices
    Room 146 Frank Kennedy Centre (420 University Crescent)

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

Parking

Parking is provided for arrival and departure in U parking lot and I lot for folks with accessibility needs. Watch for signage directing you towards the correct lots upon arrival. 

Arrival: 7:45 to 9 a.m., no pass required. 
Departure: 3:45 to 5:30* p.m., no pass required. A fee of $1 per minute per child will be charged to all participants picked up after 5:30pm. 

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

 Parking map

  • 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.

  • Daytime parking

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

  • Event days

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

    More information

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

Arrival & Check in

For your convenience supervision is available from 7:45-9:00 a.m. Programming begins at 9:00 a.m.
Children might wish to pack an activity for the time before programming begins. 

Upon arrival, check into the program with our leaders and have a seat under your group sign. 

Group lists are posted near the entrance inside of the field house.
Find the program you have selected and your name will appear on one of the group lists below.

7:45 to 8:30 a.m., check in at entrance, expect delays
Program group leaders begin work at 8:30 a.m. Limited staff are available during the early check in time.

8:30 to 9:00 a.m., check in at your group

  • First day

    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. 

    Note: 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 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  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. swimming 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 

A fee of $1 per minute per child will be charged to all participants picked up after 5:30pm. 

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

Lunch

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.

Participants registered in a Mini U program for youth age 12+ will have the option to purchase lunch on Fridays from the food court on campus. Options to purchase snacks or meals are limited to this opportunity only. 

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. 


 

  • Food and snacks

    Our program is action-packed. We recommend sending a healthy lunch with additional snacks throughout the day. Microwaves are not available. 

    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. 

    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.

  • Forgotten lunch

    Participants who do not have a packed lunch will be provided a lunch by our team at a cost to the family. An invoice will be created and sent home in your child’s bag.

    Movies

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

Check out

Find your group sign and check out with our leaders by presenting your photo identification. Children will only be released to individuals that have been authorized for pick up. 

4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., check out at your group.
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.*, check out at exit. Expect delays. A fee of $1 per minute per child will be charged to all participants picked up after 5:30pm. 
*Check out closes at 5 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. A fee of $1 per minute per child will be charged to all participants picked up after 5:00pm). Children are encouraged to bring activities for this time. 

  • Early check out

    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 fee

    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

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

  • a water bottle
  • a hat
  • sunscreen
  • bug spray
  • physical activity clothing such as indoor runners
  • a bagged lunch that does not require a microwave

Note: activities will be indoors during Spring Break Camps.

  • We strong 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

  • Location

    Frank Kennedy Centre
    Entrance via the Active Living Centre (430 University Crescent)

    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

    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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