8 Fun Things To Do This Summer on the York U Campus

Hi there! You’ve reached an older post on the #YUBlog that may no longer contain relevant or up-to-date information. For the latest posts on York University go to our homepage where you can also search for posts by topic.

Summer is the one time of year when you should never be bored. Think about it: you have beautiful weather, free time, and a number of special cultural events and activities to explore. Even if you won’t be spending the summer months backpacking in Europe or swimming with dolphins in the Bahamas, the York U campus has plenty of fun things to do in the summer. Although I can’t bring dolphins to Stong Pond, here are 8 budget-friendly ideas of places to visit and things to do on campus!

1. Explore the York U Observatory

One of the most exciting summer activities on our list is a night of stargazing and astronomy at the York U Observatory. Located in the Life Sciences Building, the Observatory offers a free public viewing program. If you want to explore the Observatory, you can participate in one of their public viewings on Wednesday nights from 9pm to 11pm, listen to their Monday night radio sessions which feature interviews from YorkUniverse or request a private group tour. You can also take part in virtual public viewings to see images from the Observatory’s telescopes and chat with their staff online. To learn more about the Observatory, check out our past #YUBlog post on the Mercury In Transit event.

2. Visit the Art Gallery of York University

Not only do York U students have access to the Observatory, but The Art Gallery of York University (AGYU) is also located on campus. The AGYU showcases contemporary art and aims to connect artists with audiences to generate meaningful conversations. The AGYU is located in the Accolade East (ACE) building and offers free admission. The Gallery is open from 10am to 4pm from Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm on Wednesdays, and noon to 5pm on Sundays. To learn more about the gallery, read our post “Why You Should Be Going to the Art Gallery of York University”.

3. Learn about Your History at the Archives of Ontario

Visit the Archives of Ontario to unveil your family history! The Archives aim to collect, manage and preserve the records of the Government of Ontario. These important records provide a lasting testament to Canadian history and can help you uncover your own. Students can spend a summer’s day accessing government records dating back to the late eighteenth century, take part in a free guided public tour or learn more about their family tree with their genealogy program. Archival experts are available to help you trace your family history and admission to the Archives of Ontario is free.

4. Enjoy Wheels Wednesdays

Thanks to Food Services at York U, students, faculty, and other members of the community can go on a culinary adventure without leaving campus during Wheels Wednesdays. Each Wednesday from May to August, popular food trucks such as Delight Bite, Beaver Tails, and Fully Loaded TO will come to the Campus Walk. Visit Wheels Wednesdays with your friends to sample some inexpensive, exciting new snacks and take a study break! To find out more about this delicious lunchtime event, take a look at this news update.

5. Visit the Bergeron Centre

The Bergeron Centre was one of the must-sees at Doors Open Toronto this year. This beautiful building, inspired by a cloud in the blue sky, aims to use architecture and interior design to revolutionize traditional learning practices. Students can enjoy this dynamic learning environment by holding a meeting in a dedicated collaboration space, attending a seminar in a Learning Lab or relaxing in a resting pod! What you won’t find in the Bergeron Centre are lecture halls! Located behind the Scott Library, the Bergeron Centre is a LEED Gold accredited building.

6. Attend the North American Indigenous Games

As you may have read in our most recent post, the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) have come to the YorkU campus! This week-long event features more than 5,000 athletes aged 13-19 from across North America as they compete in 14 different sports. The Games celebrate the athletic talents and vibrant culture of North America’s Indigenous Peoples. YorkU is proud to house many of the athletes and their families, as well as host athletics, basketball and volleyball games. Additionally, the Games will be holding an Indigenous Marketplace and Cultural Festival where students can sample traditional North American Indigenous cuisines, enjoy musical performances and dances, and learn about Indigenous heritage throughout the week. For more information about the Games and a schedule of events, take a look on the NAIG website.

7. Get in Shape with the Tait McKenzie Summer Programs

Tait McKenzie holds numerous summer fitness programs for YorkU students. These group fitness classes are free for those with an active Student Fitness Membership, which costs $15 to activate. The group drop-in fitness classes are designed for you to work at your own pace and include: Tabata Blast, High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T.), Circuit Fit, Stretch & Flex and Spin. You can visit the Tait Mckenzie website to see class times. You can also learn more about Tait Mckenzie summer fitness programs by reading our #YU Blog post “Your Summer Guide to Tait Mckenzie”.

8. Visit the Glendon Campus

A visit to the Glendon campus is at the top of my summer to-do list! Glendon, a YorkU campus, is a bilingual institution that offers professional and liberal arts programs. Glendon is surrounded by famously beautiful parklands with a view of the Toronto cityscape, and a walk in the tranquil campus gardens is the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon. To learn more about Glendon, consider taking a campus tour starting on weekdays at 10:30 a.m. YorkU offers a free Glendon-Keele shuttle service that operates Monday through Friday, departing from Vari Hall at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:15 p.m. For more information on Glendon, take a look at our #YUBlog post “Glendon Campus: Why It’s Worth Visiting“.

I hope this list helps you make the most of your summer adventures at York U on a student-friendly budget! If you have been to any of these places or would like to share your summer experiences, tweet us at @YorkUStudents with the hashtag #YUBLOG.

Note: This post is an updated version of a post originally published by Garima on June 7, 2016.