March Break Youth Day Camp

With the increasing frequency and severity of natural and human-made disasters, there is a growing need for professionals trained in disaster and emergency management. Technological advancements have transformed the field, introducing tools like virtual reality simulations, drone technology, and geographic information systems (GIS) for disaster response.

This day camp is designed to expose high school students to these emerging technologies, inspire interest in emergency management careers, and provide hands-on experience with tools used by professionals in the field. By engaging students in real-world problem-solving activities, the program also fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and digital literacy skills—preparing them for future academic and career opportunities.

The camp will feature hands-on workshops in virtual reality (VR) training, app development, coding for emergency management, drone safety and applications, and simulation/mapping software. The goal is to provide students with a unique experiential learning opportunity while allowing faculty and staff members to bring their children to campus during March Break conveniently

Join a Full-Day Interactive Camp

For students between 14 - 18 years old

March 12, 2025

About CIFAL York

CIFAL York is a UN-affiliated international training center, serving as a hub for knowledge exchange and capacity building among government officials, private sector, academia, and civil society. CIFAL York was established in 2020 by York University as part of the global collaborative network of CIFAL training centers, in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and York Region. CIFAL York provides a range of training and research opportunities in key focus areas in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This proposal falls under CIFAL York’s focus areas 1 & 5.

Disaster Risk, Emergency Management and Humanitarian Actions
Health, Development, Environment & Climate Change
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Entrepreneurship, Digital Technology and Economic Development
Advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

Content and Structure

8:00am – 8:30am

Registration and Sign-in

Participants arrive, sign in, and receive camp materials.

8:30am – 8:45am

Welcome & Introduction

Introduction to camp objectives, staff, and an overview of the day's schedule.

8:45am – 8:50am

Overview of Activities and Guidelines

Briefing on activity schedule, safety protocols, and expected conduct.

8:50am – 10:20am

Activity 1 – Know Your Disasters! & Disaster Preparedness

Objective:
- Educate participants about various disasters and emergencies and emphasize the importance of personal and family preparedness.
Details:
- General Presentation by facilitator on disaster and disaster and emergency management.
- Assign each group a specific disaster type.
- Utilize resources such as disaster fact sheets/ database and map locator tools.
- Groups research and create infographics.
- Participants design their own emergency preparedness plans and kits for their given disaster.

10:20am – 10:30am

BREAK

10:30am – 12:00pm

Activity 2 – Making it Visual: Drone Search & Rescue and GIS

Objective:
- Introduce participants to drone technology and its applications in emergency response scenarios.
- Equip participants with the skills to visualize disaster data using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and basic coding.
Details:
- Demonstration of Drone Operations.
- Participants will learn about various drone applications in DEM.
- Participants will learn about different drone sensors and cameras.
- Participants will be introduced to GIS and its DEM applications through hands on mapping activities.

12:00pm – 1:00pm

LUNCH

1:00pm – 2:30pm

Activity 3 – Be An Emergency Manager!

Objective:
- Allow participants to lead a response to their given disaster.
Details:
- Groups will plan a mock response to their disaster with a focus on drone usage, including mapping out flight paths and identifying target areas.
- Groups will input data related to their assigned disasters to create visual representations, such as maps or charts.
- Groups will prepare presentations with a focus on clear communication and engaging methods and technology to convey information.

2:30pm – 2:45pm

BREAK

2:45pm – 4:30pm

Activity 4 – Games and Simulations

Objective:
- Reinforce learning through interactive activities
Details:
- Brief presentation on the history of Serious Games and how they improve learning outcomes.
- Groups engage in educational games like "The Disaster Game" or "ADMS" or “Stop Disaster” or “Disaster Mind” to test their knowledge of emergency preparedness.
- Debrief sessions to discuss lessons learned and strategies for improvement.

4:30pm – 5:00pm

Closing Session

Details:
- Participants present their projects and share key takeaways with peers and guardians.
- Feedback and distribute certificates of completion.