We will cover topics such as how to be safe at home alone, street smarts, TTC safety, self-defense, first aid and CPR, considering choices, using your voice, making money/starting a business, practical etiquette, and more, including discussions on "what would you do if..." Cost includes information sheets and resources.
Business Etiquette (just for teens)
This workshop will answer questions about how to get a job, creating a resume, filling out an application, interviewing skills and what do when you get a job.
PHYSICAL
The Shape of Things to Come
If you want the energy to enjoy a busy and productive life, it's still true that eating the right foods will make you feel better. This is not a lecture on the food pyramid, but rather this workshop will look at subjects like "foods on the go", "what does my lifestyle require", a diet that will support adolescent growth spurts and food preferences.
Stressed To The Max
"Entering a new stage of life is like entering a new country. You have to get used to a lot of unfamiliar customs, and all the aspects that may interest or even fascinate you". But all the changes that happen in a girl's life; both positive and challenging can create too much stress. Stressed To The Max will provide coping tools and create solutions on how to deal with stress in an informative and entertaining way.
Self-Defense
We want girls to be able to go into the world with a sense of excitement and curiosity. But they also need to know how to protect themselves. This self-defense workshop will help to raise a girl's confidence level and introduce tools to help them deal with potentially dangerous situations.
What's Happening To My Body
What's Happening To My Body will cover important information for today's teens such as pressure to be sexual, double standards, dating, getting to know your limits and boundaries, sexual harassment and characteristics of a healthy relationship. The research that 5 Elements conducted indicated that this is a topic that girls really want and need to discuss, as they are experiencing pressures in their lives unlike any previous generation.
Yoga
Yoga is the art and practice of linking the mind, body and breath as one. A flowing series of posture is practiced with lengthen and stretch muscles, while toning and strengthening the body simultaneously. Yoga helps us to breathe and face life's challenges with confidence, clarity and self-esteem. It also helps detoxify the body, build up the immune system and keep fit!
INSPIRATIONAL
Who We Are: Self-Discovery Through Art
Utilizing various media, the girls will explore various themes relevant to their
lives today and new ways to communicate ideas. Worshops are designed to encourage exploration of feelings, self-expression and creative problem-solving in a supportive environment. Our instructors are experienced artists and teachers and able to demonstrate the usage of a variety of materials and techniques as well as inspire an appreciation of art as a medium of expression.
Creative Movement and Dance
This workshop has been designed to encourage and develop the creative side
through dance and body movement. The girls are challenged to let go of self imposed limits, to interpret music, to explore and express issues and most importantly, to have fun. The girls are guided by a professional choreographer/dancer and no previous dance experience is required.
Improv
This workshop will focus on building trust in themselves and each other through
physicality and theatre games. Building confidence and ability, the girls will explore their potential to spontaneously create and develop characters.
Physical Comedy/Clowning
Everyone is a Comedian and this hilarious class explores how to make people laugh. You don't need to aspire to be a performer to enjoy learning about physical comedy where you'll learn some of basic rules of comic timing. Comedy is based upon the reaction to an event, as opposed to action; meaning that it is not fully that I dropped a vase, it's how I try to hide it that makes it comic.
Drumming and Percussion Workshops
Through facilitated drum and percussion, this workshop presents the girls with the opportunity to experience a sense of community and self-empowerment. Through drumming and creative rhythm, this workshop promotes a sense of health, harmony, leadership and the incredible power of women. Girls will practice the art of listening and enhance their co-ordination, concentration and positive communication skills.
Belly Dancing
Belly dance is a sacred and empowering form of movement and expression. Self
confidence, grace and fitness are promoted through dance movements involving the entire body. Belly dance honours the beauty in female bodies of all shapes and sizes and creates a space to express each ones own unique form of movement. It is a fun and exciting way to exercise and be creative!
Dream Catchers
"When you wish upon a star
your dreams come true" is a wonderful sentiment from Disney Studios; however, it takes courage, resiliance and a belief in oneself to really live your dreams. Our Dream Catchers workshop will challenge the girls to look at their strengths, their interests and yes, their dreams to start to formulate a plan to live the lives they truly want to live. Utilizing techniques developed by such well known writers as Barbara Sher, we'll look at traditional and non-traditional careers (who didn't at one point in time want to be an acrobat at a circus); inspirational girls and women and setting goals to put the girls on a path to making their dreams come true!
The "Me" Factor
Especially with girls, it often feels like they are trying to please everyone around them - their family, their friends, their teachers, their boyfriends
but they have no time for themselves. This workshop will help girls understand the importance of taking time for themselves by nurturing their bodies (by exercise and eating well, sleep and relaxation), their mind (by learning new skills and educating themselves on subjects that they love), their heart (through positive relationships, giving back and laughter) and their souls (through creative endeavours). It is only by paying attention to their own needs, can they truly live a fulfilled and rich life.
Not all workshops will be covered in each camp session.
Leadership
Effective leadership requires insight, interpersonal skills, vision and the confidence to take action. 5 Elements provides a safe a fun environment for girls to discover their unique leadership style. Girls will develop their leadership skills through a broad range of interactive workshops, challenging discussions and hands-on activities. Workshops include: conflict resolution, building effective teams, self-defeating language, emotions, what makes a true leader and personal responsibility.
We also utilize a wide range of expressive arts and physical activity such as drama to role-play difficult situations and stretch self-imposed limits. True leaders lead by example and trust themselves. 5 Elements gives girls the opportunity to gain the confidence necessary to integrate leadership skills into every aspect of their life today and excel as a leader in the future.
Counsellor-In-Training
Girls who are 14+ can participate in our Counsellor-In-Training Program (CIT Program) and upon successful completion will receive a certificate that will be invaluable for future job searches and applications for colleges and universities.
Parents must complete a CIT Application Form and return it with a deposit. The application and deposit will be held until acceptance into the program. Because space in the CIT Program is limited, we ask that all candidates send a one page letter with their application, neatly written or typed, explaining why she would like to be part of the CIT program. Once the completed application is received, applications will be contacted for a telephone interview. Upon completion of the interview, an application may be accepted. While girls are still considered campers and will participate in many of the camp programs, CIT's will also have a significant amount of responsibility to prepare for what it is like to work as a counselor. CIT's will be expected to assist the staff throughout each day as well as develop activities which they will lead.
Our CIT Co-ordinator will be working with the girls and will provide daily feedback on how they are doing. At the end of the session, CIT's will receive a final evaluation and will be considered for a junior counsellor position at 5 Elements upon completion of six weeks of CIT training and reach the age of 16. Returning counselors and those who have completed their CIT training at 5 Elements will be given preference.
Our Newest Programs For 6 - 8 Year Old Girls!!!!
We have developed a number of age specific workshops that begin to explore many of the important themes that we look at in our workshops for girls from 9 - 16.
Each workshop is approximately 10 - 20 minutes in length and utilizes group discussions, games and activities and expressive art and movement to help your 6 - 8 year old girls move into adolescence and the teen years happier and more confidently. A recent research study indicated that children are demonstrating bullying behaviour by age 3 so it's never too early to start to develop your daughter's healthy sense of self.
These programs give your daughter the opportunity to participate in new and exciting activities within a very supportive and encouraging environment. We are constantly looking at new programs that will enrich your daughter's life and help her to discover and celebrate her uniqueness and creativity. Here are some of the workshops that we'll be running in the summer sessions.
Dreams and Goals
The girls will work with one of our facilitators and begin to discuss goals and dreams and how they might achieve them. The girls will then create a visual representation of a dream that they might have.
Being A Friend
With our facilitators we will discuss what makes a good friend and how to deal with difficult situations. We will also look at the friendship that pets provide us.
The Girls will create a special gift to give to another girl or a Friendship Bracelet with special colours and shapes.
Mean Girls
This workshop will explore what happens when they or a friend is being treated badly by another girl, why it happens and how to deal with it quickly so it doesn't cause anxiety in a young girls life.
The Power of Words
Words can make us happy, hurt our feelings and make us angry. In this workshop will begin to talk about the power of words and how to use them effectively.
Confidence
This workshop will help the girls to understand how important it is to try new things and how easy it is to accomplish them. We'll talk about how to begin to feel good about themselves.
"Her story" or Girl Power
We'll look at some of the accomplishments of women in history and in her life. The girls can then choose a heroine and illustrate through multi-media her accomplishments
Random Acts of Kindness
Facilitated by our Creative Director, the girls will learn how important it is to do things for people. We'll make lists of things that girls can do to help those around them and create posters and book marks with some of the ideas and special saying to remind the girls every day.
Staying Safe
We will discuss ways to stay safe in the home and in the community. We will also look at a plan for evacuation in their home in case of a fire. We will utilize a software game developed to provide the girls knowledge about fire safety and have fun at the same time.
Creativity
Me, Myself & I
Working with our creative director, the girls will create a "Personal Logo" that will identify unique qualities about each of the girls.
Treasure Box
The girls will create a Treasure Box to hold special mementos and we'll begin to discuss the importance of our heritage and special times and people in our lives.
Create your own Fairy Tale
Using traditional Fairy Tales, the girls will create "Girl Power" endings and then work together to act out the stories
Other Expressive Arts will include mask making, building a friendship tree and making wrapping paper and greeting cards.
Body Movements
Facilitated by our professional dancer/choreographer, the girls will learn simple dance moves and create a routine for everyone to enjoy. The girls will learn to work in teams, listen to music and begin to express feelings and emotions through dance.
Act Two!
Facilitated by one of our professional actors, girls will create a skit or write a story and then act it out.
No Talking
Facilitated by our Mime Artist, Girls will learn how to get a message across without words and the importance of non-verbal communication.
Each workshop will be accompanied by either an expressive art or physical activity
Who Can Attend?
Girls from age 6 - 16. The curriculum has been specifically designed to be age appropriate for girls and teens of all ages.
What Do Your Fees Include?
All activities and creative materials
- Lunch and two snacks (Special dietary requirements can be requested)
- 5 Elements t-shirt
Group Discounts Are Available
If 2 - 5 girls are registered at the same time, with the same appropriate fees paid, a 5% discount can be claimed for each of the girls. If more than 5 girls are registered at the same time, with the same appropriate fees paid, a 10% discount can be claimed for each girls.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for all the programs offered by 5 Elements. For those families who would qualify for a scholarship, please see the Contact Us section for the Application and additional supporting documentation required to apply.
New Workshops
Visit the website often! We're in the process of finalizing additional workshops on subjects such as: Financial Freedom, Cooking, Mentoring and women throughout history/inspiring women.
We'd love to hear from you
if there's a topic that you'd like to have included
just let us know
click here: New Workshop Ideas
Family Evening
Parents and family members will be able to experience the creativity of their daughters with an open house on the last Thursday evening of two week Summer camp sessions.
What should my daughter wear?
Casual, comfortable clothes should be worn for the sessions. On the first day of the workshop or camp a schedule will be provided for body movement, self-defense or improv sessions.
Where is 5 Elements being held?
TBA
The road to building a positive self-image of ourselves is understanding that there is not another person in the world just like us. We learn differently, see the world differently, have different personality traits and characteristics. And, these differences should be celebrated. "Differences create the challenges in life that open the door to discovery". The Celebrating Differences Workshop will provide insights and interactive exercises to help better understand how we uniquely operate in the world. 
...but names can never hurt me." 
Emotions - Or Stop the Rollercoaster, I want to get off
How a girl projects herself to the world impacts what the world thinks about her and her future success. This workshop will help girls explore, embrace and express their own unique style and personal branding. After all, while fashion is temporary; style is eternal. 
perfect a new dance step - you've got to get all of the basic steps down before you move on to the flashy stuff. (Tyra Banks)
Speak Up
with Confidence will give girls the skills to understand and be understood in a conversation, how to express themselves clearly, recognize non-verbal clues and hidden agendas and look at gender differences and an assertive vs aggressive style of communication. Through group activity and exercises, the girls will have fun exploring the crazy and often misunderstood world of communication. 
Peer Pressure