When it comes to choosing a summer camp for children and youth, experts advise parents and guardians to keep their child’s interests in mind.
And with summer camps designed for literally every interest, there’s a lot to choose from. This is the second instalment in a roundup of summer camps.
MacSailing
MacSailing’s popular summer camps run Monday to Friday at the Jericho Sailing Centre and Kitsilano Yacht Club for kids aged five to 14.
Programs offered include:
- Beach Kids: For young children five to seven years old who want to learn about sailing and water safety.
- Sail Optis: These courses are for beginner and intermediate sailors aged seven to 10 years old.
- Sail Escapes: Courses are for beginner and intermediate sailors aged 10 to 14 years old.
CampOUT!
Craving a canoe ride? Yearning for a good campfire sing-a-long? Dreaming of queer and trans friendly arts and crafts sessions and spending time with 90 other like-minded folks and supportive allies? CampOUT! is for you.
CampOUT! is a community-based, outdoor summer camp for queer, transgendered, questioning and allied youth age 14 to 21. And thanks to the support of donors, the camp is free.
Organized in conjunction with the University of B.C., the camp provides opportunities for these youth to develop leadership skills, build self-esteem, inspire each other, foster hope and resilience and connect with resources to support their health and well being — physical, mental, social, sexual, educational and spiritual. CampOUT! provides a supportive space for youth to be themselves.
UBC’s Youth Sexual Health Team organized the pilot camp, but it’s now a program that falls under the university’s Equity Office. There are only a limited number of spaces available for this July’s camp, but it’s also a good time to be thinking about 2015. For more information visit campout.ubc.ca.
YMCA overnight and day camps
The YMCA offers numerous summer programs for boys and girls, including overnight camps. Through these overnight camps, kids work together with their cabinmates to build independence and life-long friendships. Fun-filled days of physical activity in the outdoors promote healthy habits and environmental stewardship to last a lifetime. Whether it’s learning interdependence in a cabin group or mastering the art of archery, the Y’s overnight camps offer kids a chance to gain new skills and friendships in the great outdoors.
Meanwhile the YMCA’s day camps are a time for kids to be kids by offering an opportunity for them to run, play and be free from their busy school schedules. Through fun physical activities, kids learn about themselves, increase their self-confidence and make new friends in a safe and caring environment.
To register for all YMCA camps visit myymca.ca, call 604-939-9622 or drop by in person to your local YMCA.
Teen Summer Lab Improv Camp
The Vancouver TheatreSports League offers two daily sessions of its Teen Summer Lab Improv Camp — mornings for Grade 7 to 9 and afternoons for Grade 10 to 12.
During these two-week improv-intensive workshops in July, teachings consist of quick-witted workouts with a focus on creativity, openness, humour, valuing the ideas of others, self-confidence and the art of listening. At the end of the workshop is the Graduates’
Performance for family and friends. For more information visit vtsl.com. Vancouver TheatreSports League is located on Granville Island.
Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics
Phoenix Gymnastics offers summer camps and classes beginning July 3, with action-packed full and half-day camps and weekly classes with a focus on gymnastics skills and activities with creative arts and crafts projects, as well as fun in the gym.
Camps run Monday to Friday. For more information visit phoenixgymnastics.com.
Kid City Camp
Emerging Generations presents Kid City Day Camp at the Vancouver Chinese Pentecostal Church on East 18th Avenue beginning June 30 through Aug. 22. This camp is a summer program for all kids entering kindergarten through Grade 7 this coming fall.
Each week has its own theme with lots of activities, swimming, field trips, music and more. Sign up for one week or for all eight. For more information visit egmin.ca/daycamp.
Camp Pringle
Located on Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island, this summer camp offers a variety of programs, including cycling, science, watersports, family, girls, theatre, ultimate adventure camp and more.
The Wilderness Camp is another option with a program dedicated to fostering a connection between young people and the natural world with a goal to inspire kids to appreciate and respect the environment and their communities.
Campers learn fundamental backcountry skills and outdoor leadership appropriate to age and ability. They will undertake a group challenge such as building a raft and paddling to Mosquito Island. For a complete list of camps and schedules visit camppringle.com.
Camp Qwanoes
Qwanoes is a youth-focused, high-adventure Christian residential camp, founded in 1966, located on 55 acres of waterfront property on Vancouver Island between Victoria and Nanaimo.
This summer camp offers more than 75 activities, including everything from wakeboarding and archery to mountain boarding, the Sky Station and outdoor laser tag. For more information visit qwanoes.ca/summer.
West Point Grey Academy
The summer camps offered at West Point Grey Academy include everything from Lego to photography, cooking, sports, computers and musical theatre.
Junior camps for kids aged four to six include camps with a focus on astronauts, dinosaurs, Mini Olympics, Pirates and Mermaids, Princess Tea Party, the rainforest, and undersea exploration.
Hands on Camp for kids aged six to 10, offers programs including Art Venture, Computer Creations, Diamonds & Rubies jewellery design, I Love Lego, Knitting Power, Makers’ and Inventors’ Bootcamp, Photography, Rainbow Loom, Video Game Creator and Weird Science.
Meanwhile, active camps for the six to 10 crowd include All Sports, Cheerleading, Mega Fun and Skimboarding at Spanish Banks.
Also for ages six to 10 are Drama and Music camps, including Advanced Violin, Actors’ Studio, Early Violin, Hollywood Producer, Musical Theatre Camp and WPGA Idol.
Many of the Vancouver Park Board’s community centres also offer summer day camps. Drop by your local centre or visit vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture.aspx for information on the programs offered.
