September 27 kicks off a full year of PA chess camps and tournaments

The Chess Institute of Canada (CIC) is known across the GTA and Vancouver for delivering “Chess to Life” instruction to children in schools, through school clubs and in-school programming.

But what happens when school’s out?

September 27 marks the first of a full school-year commitment by CIC to offer PA day camps to GTA parents for every single PA day – for the English and French school boards alike.

The September 27 camp, happening at Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church at 427 Bloor St. W, is a full day of fun, activities and excitement for kids – including a ranked Chess Federation of Canada tournament (with alternative activities for children who don’t feel tournament-ready).

It’s also just the first of tournaments planned for every single PA day this school year, across both the English and French school boards in the GTA.

“Chess is for everyone, and we’re proud to give kids an opportunity to have fun in a well-supervised environment,” says CIC Executive Director Matt Shepherd. “We put an emphasis on not just improving kids’ chess games, but teaching life skills and values through chess, and these full-day camps are a great opportunity. Children can show their confidence through tournament play while learning about fair play, self-reliance and being both good losers and gracious winners. Kids who aren’t feeling up to tournament play will have fun, engaging activities that deliver chess knowledge but also ideas around creativity, resilience, and much more.”

“French camps will also be part of our PA day commitment,” says Heidi Gay, who coordinates CIC’s French-language activities. “We love making sure that GTA parents who prioritize French instruction have continuity and resources equal to their English counterparts.”

Following the September 27 camp, subsequent PA day camps will be held at CIC’s “home base” at 918 Bathurst Street. This former Buddhist temple is now a mixed-use space with ample classrooms, a built-in kitchen, and mere steps from the Bathurst subway station.

“English, French, and bilingual camps will be run from right here,” Shepherd says. “We’re hoping to be the home base for parents in the GTA looking for fun activities for their children on PA days; combining chess and life skills in a way that supports STEM skill development, critical thinking, and much more.”

2024: