Last fall, we sent out a survey to families of campers and staff with the question of simultaneous Boys and Girls programming for the following summer. Based on these surveys, and a series of meetings between the directors and the board, we decided to try running Boys and Girls camps at the same time. We’re pleased to say that it went very well!
Juniors was the fullest we’ve seen in a while. The boost in energy level and fun made camp extra awesome. While most meals and evening programs were joint, the rest of the time was spent separately including lesson study, Sunday School, out trips, town day, and skill activities. Camp wide games like Pirates and Cargo, 3-sticks, and Spy Catcher were a blast with both camps together. Needless to say our staff did an excellent job working together throughout the session and also running our individual boys and girls camp programs. We continue to value our independent Boys camp and Girls camp activities and plan to continue incorporating that into our youth sessions in the future.
Highlights for Junior Girls include beach day, lake time, tent night, and camp skill electives. The girls had the option of choosing rock climbing, boating, camp skills and musical theater. The musical theater group created and performed an excellent short-play on “What happened to tent 1?” The girls had an awesome time on the out trip too!
Highlights for Junior Boys include Cove Day with Beckons wanted and dodgeball, floor hockey, tent night, lake time, a wonderful beach day with lots of sailing, and a few opportunities for climbing and archery. We also had a skills rotation with canoeing, frisbee throwing, fire building, and rock climbing. The out trip was a success with everyone peaking Mt. Gardner on day 2.
Seniors spent the first three days of activities together to create a sense of community before each group took off on their out trips. This included trust activities, time at the ropes course, 2-sticks, and “Pirates and Cargo and Navy” – a new and more challenging version of P & C. The campers enjoyed the time together and it was a good opportunity to solidify the family feel of camp that we all know and love. The 3-day out trips were run at different times of the session, giving plenty of independent time for Boys and Girls camps.
Senior Boys had a wonderful time at camp while the girls were away on their out trip. Hiking Mt. Gardner over to Tunstall for sailing and kayaking proved to be a good challenge and the sailing weather was perfect. The boys also played a complex live version of the game Settlers of Catan which took quite a bit of set up and about 2 hours of explanation, but was well worth it! A boys camp favorite, Fugitive, was also a hit. The out trip brought plenty of rain and more mosquitoes than expected but everyone persevered. A mosquito and rain free peak day was appreciated by all, as well as excellent weather for ziplining. Several campers experienced challenges in the beginning of the session and it was wonderful to see staff and campers alike supporting these individuals metaphysically and practically throughout their healing. During this time we were extra-grateful to have the Little-A CS Nursing space.
Senior Girls included a fun and very caring group of campers. For the out trip, Senior girls went to the Tolkien Range north of Whistler. Everyone in the group did a fantastic job cheering each other on, and supporting one another in practical and metaphysical ways. The girls were grateful to have had beautiful weather for most of the trip. When the senior boys were on their out trip, the girls camp had a S.P.A. night (Spiritual Pampering Activity), where metaphysical ideas were shared about beauty being an expression of soul and how caring for others in small ways can go a long way. There were also plenty of fun activities like kayak polo, beach day, and painting art in some of our biffy doors. Make sure to check them out next time you’re at camp and nature calls.
For skills week, the group took the Nanaimo ferry to Vancouver Island to surf in Tofino, where the beautiful old growth forest meets the ocean. Enthusiastic campers spent three days surfing with skilled instructors and our staff, explored some beaches, enjoyed a Wednesday evening testimony meeting, and ate delicious meals.
Family camp 1 was wonderful, not as bilingual as the last two years, but still somewhat. Because Canada changed its visa policy, it became more challenging for Mexican citizens to attend. Regardless of this, family camp 1 was filled with great families, including a couple of alumni who brought their kids to camp for the first time. It was sweet to hear alumni share their fun recollections of camp when they went to camp as kids.
Family camp 2 was quieter but still a blast! We had a great number of returning campers who went on new adventures exploring a scenic trail on the coast of Bowen and playing pickleball at the nearby school’s new field house. While it rained a good amount, the group was not hindered in the least. After the session, some of the staff and guests stayed to participate in the Bowfest parade and we took home 3rd place for our pirate ship float!
Women’s Weekend was filled with a joyful, eager and inspiring group. Asides from the usual activities we offer including a Christian Science Talk, hiking, singing, and building community, we added story time in the extension, a fused glass workshop, and ocean kayaking at sunset. The pace of the program was open for individuals to choose how active or calm they wanted to spend their weekend at camp. Next Spring, this retreat will include an additional day to expand our activity options and to allow more women from further away to make the trip!
Men’s Weekend was all time this year with a group from BC, Alberta, Washington, Oregon, and California. Some fun activity highlights include the ropes course, disc golf, hiking up to Cocoa rock to blow a 15 foot alp horn and making chocolate lava cake. Some more meaningful moments included solo time spent after our practitioner talk, lesson study, and some good old fashioned deep conversations.
All of these programs were possible thanks to the tireless efforts from all of our staff. Our cooks provided wonderful meals, our merlins kept us clean and tidy, our photographers captured the childlike joy, and our Christian Science care team took care of us all. A really special thank you to all of these individuals and our donors who contribute greatly towards our success.
