Shad Live-in
Shad is a Canadian-based STEAM and entrepreneurship program for high school students, offering a month-long live-in experience at university campuses across ...
▌ Editor's read The Shad program, operating since 1980, offers a month-long live-in STEAM and entrepreneurship experience for high school students at various university campuses across Canada. The program is run by Shad Canada, a registered charity. While specific Google reviews for 'Shad Live-in' are not readily available as a distinct entity, Shad Canada generally receives positive feedback for its impactful programs. The website highlights a focus on innovation, design thinking, and entrepreneurship, with participants engaging in hands-on projects and workshops. The program is not accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), which is expected as it is a Canadian program. The founder, Barry Bisson, is mentioned in the program's history. Social media handles include @shadcanada on Instagram and 'shadcanada' on Facebook, indicating an active online presence. The program is clearly an overnight residential experience, hosted at university facilities.
Who thrives here Ages 15–16
Shad Live-in serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in stem, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- 1983 (43 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: STEM
- Ages: 15–16
- Hours: 24/7
- Address: 80 Queen St, Waterloo, ON N2J 1A8, Canada
- Phone: (519) 884-8844
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Shad Live-in
- What ages does Shad Live-in accept?
- Shad Live-in is open to children ages 15–16. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- What are Shad Live-in's hours?
- Shad Live-in runs 24/7. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs Shad Live-in?
- Shad Live-in is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 43 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Shad Live-in provide lunch?
- Shad Live-in does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Shad Live-in with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- STEM summer camps guide · Compare projects, staff fit, and age-readiness signals.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review licensing, supervision, and accreditation signals.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Shad Live-in.
- International Summer School for Young Physicists (ISSYP) · Waterloo · Ages 16–18
- Brick Works Academy · Ages 6–13