Picking a summer camp for kids and youth means knowing their interests and involving them in the choosing process, experts say. The options are endless, with camp themes meeting every kind of interest possible.
AquaCamps
Want to get up close and personal to marine animals?
Vancouver Aquarium’s AquaCamps offer kids a fun way to explore marine critter life systems.
Through hands-on activities and animal observations, kids and teens aged four to 16 learn about local and exotic animals, life cycles, food webs, adaptations, ecosystems and sustainability.
Kids can also engage in crafts and have time to run around outside to get a fully active learning experience.
Vancouver Aquarium’s AquaCamps run from June 29 until Sept. 4.
For more information call 604-659-3474 or check out https://www.vanaqua.org/learn/camps/aquacamps
CircusWest
Children can step under the Big Top and delve into circus life this summer at CircusWest — a series of camps held at the PNE Garden Auditorium, Bayview Community School, Stratford Hall, and École Jules Quesnel.
Kids aged five to 14 take on Cirque du Soleil-style feats like juggling, unicycle-riding, trapeze- swinging and building human pyramids at these creative summer programs.
On the last night of camp, kids can impress their friends and family by putting on a performance they’ve created themselves and showcasing their new skills.
CircusWest camps start on July 6 and run until Aug. 28.
For more information call 604-252-3679 or visit http://circuswest.com/programs/camps/
CampOUT!
If you’re seeking a fully inclusive camp welcoming trans, queer and allied youth that offers the best of traditional summer activities as well, you’ll want to check out CampOUT!
Teens and youth aged 14 to 21 can experience a summer filled with innovative workshops that aim to encourage advocating for social change.
The camp connects people, works to build self-esteem and leadership skills, inspires campers, and gives them new tools they can take back to their communities. Making good friends and enjoying canoeing, campfires and arts and crafts are all part of the fun.
Registration for CampOUT! is already closed for this July, but you might want to think about next year. For more information call 604-822-8298 or visit http://campout.ubc.ca/
Camp Pringle
Camp Pringle on Shawnigan Lake offers a ton of different summer programs for kids including science, wilderness, bike, boys, girls, theatre and watersports.
The Ultimate Adventure camp gives campers a taste of the wild outdoors, with activities including sailing, paddle boarding, tubing and archery. This camp also features a canoe trip out to Memory Island.
The camps aim to foster social connections, environmental awareness, and positive attitudes about physical activity.
For more complete list of camps and schedules, visit http://www.camppringle.com/or call 250-743-2189.
Arts Umbrella Vancouver
Kids can get their creativity on this summer at Arts Umbrella where kids explore their curiosity and express themselves through performing arts.
An engaging mix of summer programs for kids and youth aged three to 19 include music, dance, theatre, visual and media arts so campers have an opportunity to shine in the spotlight.
Arts Umbrella summer camps on Granville Island run for three weeks starting June 29 and finishing July 26.
To register call 604-681-5268 (Vancouver), 604-535-1127 (Surrey) or
visit http://www.artsumbrella.com/programs/springsummer/ for more information.
Grouse Mountain camps
Grouse Mountain can be enjoyed for more than just the Grouse Grind this summer.
Various themed camps allow kids aged five to 16 to explore the outdoors, connect with nature, learn about animal behaviour, mountain rescue and B.C. culture and survival.
Rock climbing, archery, shelter building, soap stone carving and a visit from the mountain’s resident owl are just some of the activities the camps offer.
Summer camps at Grouse Mountain run from June 29 until Sept. 4.
For more information call604-980-9311 orvisit https://grousemountain.com/camps
Sasamat Outdoor Centre
Kids can enjoy the natural beauty of Belcarra by joining Sasamat Outdoor Centre’s summer programs.
Sasamat offers six unique camps for kids aged five to 16 as well as a counsellor training program for 16- and 17-year-olds.
The popular Ridgerunner I, which is the first trip of two programs, gives campers a five-day backcountry tripping adventure in the forests of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Starting at Cheakaumus Lake and ending up at the stunning Garibaldi Lake, campers will learn about food preparation, compass and map skills and basic wilderness survival as they go.
Sasamat summer camps run from June 29 to Aug. 28. For more information on the different camps and schedules call 604-939-2268 or visit https://sasamat.org/Summer_Camp_Programs.html
4Cats Arts camps
Why not splash some colour into your kids’ summer this year?
Kids aged five to 12 can channel their inner Van Goh and join a ton of different art-focused summer camps at 4Cats Arts with studios in Vancouver, Burnaby, the North Shore and Richmond.
Campers get artsy with programs ranging from manga drawing, to acrylic and watercolour painting, to pixel art, and even glittery mermaid-inspired art.
4Cats Arts summer camps run from June 29 through to Sept. 3.
To find information on your local studio visit http://www.4cats.com
MacSailing
If you’re looking to get a rush of the wind and the sea this summer, you’ll want to check out MacSailing summer camps at the Jericho Sailing Centre and Kitsilano Yacht Club.
Some of these sailing-themed camps include:
- Beach Kids: For kids aged five to seven who want to learn about sailing and water safety
- Sail Escapes: Beginner and intermediate sailor courses for kids aged 10 to 14
- Junior Cruiser: A course for kids aged 13 to 18 aimed to give campers a basic understanding of cruising
For more information call 604-224-7245 or visit http://macsailing.com/youth-sailing-vancouver/summer-camps/
B.C. SPCA camps
Want to make new friends — both furry and human?
The B.C. SPCA offers summer programs around the province, including camps at Vancouver’s SPCA branch on East Seventh Avenue.
Campers are immersed in animal-themed activities and learn about responsible animal care, interesting animal facts, and how to build positive relationships between people, animals and nature in fun and engaging ways.
Activities include both indoor and outdoor games, quiet hands-on projects, crafts and time spent with animals.
B.C. SPCA summer programs go from July 6 through to Aug.28.
Check out http://support.spca.bc.ca/site/Calendar?id=110841&view=Detail#locor call 604-709-4679for more information.
Langara Digital Music Production
Inspired by the likes of A.Skillz? Teens can get their record spin on this summer at Langara College’s digital music production summer program.
Youth aged 13 to 18 learn about sequencing, mixing, recording, music production software and more for a taste of the DJ experience in this two-week summer camp. You can even learn about recording movie, TV, and video game music and the last day is spent in a recording studio.
The program starts on July 6 and goes until the 17. Contact Deborah Holland at 604-218-4824or [email protected] for more information.
Camp Qwanoes
Camp Qwanoes is a Christian-based youth summer camp located on 55 acres of waterfront property on Vancouver Island between Victoria and Nanaimo.
Kids and youth aged eight to 18 can experience a high adventure summer with activities ranging from waterskiing to trapeze jumping to learning guitar and “artrageous” crafts. A new feature this year is a floating volleyball court as part of the camp’s Aqua Park.
Camp Qwanoes takes elements of the Bible and makes them relevant to everyday life.
Summer camps at Qwanoes begin June 27 and run until Sept. 6.
For more information call toll free at 888-997-9266 or visit http://www.qwanoes.ca/
