Another wonderful summer has come and gone at Camp Bow-Isle! Between the work party in the spring and Men’s Weekend in August, our campers, families, staff, and volunteers filled the camp with laughter, adventure, and a wonderful sense of God’s care for each of us.
Work Party
Our spring work party brought out a wonderful group of volunteers, including several new faces alongside longtime regulars and the whole camp Board. In addition to processing copious amounts of firewood and the extensive cleaning that takes place each year, a new sliding door was installed for the Quiet House, and four picnic tables were refinished. The team also tore apart the back deck entirely, laying the groundwork for a new foundation, steps, and decking. Thank you to everyone who gave their time, energy, and hard work to help get camp ready for the summer!
“I really needed a haircut – a big thanks to the work party team!” – The Field
Women’s Weekend
Full of sisterly love, the group enjoyed a variety of activities making the most of all that Bowen Island has to offer. In addition to hiking, e-biking, playing kayak polo, and crafting, guests went paddling in the ocean to watch the sunset and have dessert in the Big Red Canoe and a couple of 2-person canoes. As always, our Christian Science workshops and Bible Lesson study were a highlight of the weekend.
“This was a perfect weekend – filled with love and grace.” – WW Participant
“I wasn’t sure that I would be able to join this year due to a physical challenge, but each day there was progress and I was able to do what was needed.” – WW Participant
Staff Training
This year’s staff training combined daily hands-on preparation for camp counsellors with a surprise fun team-bonding activity – attending a live World Cup watch party on the North Shore. At camp, staff learned our trails and activity offerings, while off-property staff headed to E.C. Manning Park for an overnight trip to scout for future years.
“Another thing I love about this camp is that everyone gets to do lesson study together each morning – and the staff get to do it twice (once at staff meeting and once with the campers)!” – Camp Counsellor
“I enjoyed my time at Bow-Isle because of the smaller group size and the dedication to keeping an elevated thought.” – Camp Counsellor
Juniors
An amazing and lively group of campers joined us for Juniors. They loved doing the classic Juniors activities – lake time, Jurassic Park, Gaga, 3-stix, Pirates and Cargo, rock climbing, arts and crafts, lesson study… the list goes on! This year, Juniors went on three different out trips based on age: our oldest campers chartered a boat to Gambier Island for a 1-night backpacking adventure and our middle group hiked up to Mt. Gardner and went rappelling on the mountain. Our youngest campers hiked toward Cocoa Rock and Fernie’s Fedora to take in the views from those summits and Shepherd’s Rock. A big World Cup day rebranded as “Camp Cup” was played at the end of the session with all of the Juniors. Complete with official referees, team managers, and coaches, it was a perfect end to the session and was a favourite activity for campers and staff alike.
“The food at camp is sooooooo good and there’s always something for everyone!” – Junior Camper
“The opportunity to practice Christian Science has deepened my sense of God and Brotherly Love during all the activities that we do.” – Junior Camper
Seniors
For Senior campers, playing 2-stix, Pirates & Cargo & Navy, volleyball at lake time and spending the first few days with everyone together led to lots of camaraderie and fun! While the Senior girls were on the out trip, the Senior boys went climbing at Shepherd’s Rock – including the big rappel, which we haven’t run for a number of years. The boys also had a chocolate lava cake baking night, and played a brand new game called the Bowen Heist. While the boys were on their out trip, Senior girls had a delightful high tea party with Mrs. Manners, participated in the Great Bowen Bake Off and relaxed at the beach post out trip. For both out trips, the groups went to Golden Ears Provincial Park. Boys camp did a short pack-in followed by a long day hike up to the saddle just below Golden Ears Peak. Girls camp backpacked to Halfmoon Beach and spent a day exploring the trail beyond the last campsite, exploring the river beds and forest. Both groups ended their trips with an adventurous day of rafting the Chilliwack River. Another new game was introduced to Seniors called “Ultimate Soccer,” which naturally involves wizards with pool noodles, players turning into bears, and dodgeballs slowing players down; this was also a session highlight for both camps.
“Camp will always be the highlight of my year!”- Senior Camper
“I have made incredible memories here, grown immeasurably, and had the privilege of experiencing and witnessing the healing power of Christian Science.” – Senior Camper
Skills
This year, campers chose between climbing and canyoning, or mountain biking. Both groups had a fantastic time learning new skills and pushing themselves in new ways. The mountain bikers started off at the skills park to build up their balance, confidence, and technique before tackling bigger trails like Miki’s Magic and Cardrona. Meanwhile, climbers had a wonderful time scaling rock faces in Squamish, learning to belay one another, and of course, canyoning through pools and waterfalls in Britannia. This was our largest Skills Week session yet!
“I loved seeing the campers progress in their skills and do things they didn’t think were possible for them at the beginning of the week.” – Skills Week Staff
“I had the most amazing time with my fellow campers and staff – I learned how belay! I felt loved and cared for by the group and also slept great on our trip!” – Skills Week Camper
Family Camp I
Running concurrently with Skills Week, Family Camp I was a smaller, more intimate session this year, which made for wonderful, unhurried conversations alongside plenty of fun activities at camp and throughout Bowen Island. Highlights included time at the lake playing sand vs. water, climbing at the ropes course, and spending a day at the beach — with a fun new addition of ocean fishing!
Family Camp II
Our second Family Camp session welcomed a bigger group that was up for daily 7 am kayak polo and ultimate frisbee and two lesson studies each morning. Other activities families enjoyed were fishing, testimony meeting, campfire with s’mores and talents, and classic games like Clue, Gaga, and Pirates and Cargo.
“I tried a new element on the ropes course this year with my daughter – super difficult, but really special bonding time!” – Family Camper
“My son and I both experienced wonderful healings this week. We are forever grateful for our camp experiences and my children are already asking to attend more sessions next Summer.” – Family Camper
20s/30s Camp
For our second 20s/30s Camp program, we headed to Sechelt Inlet to paddle for 4 days to explore the marine wildlife and camp by the beach. Fishing and exploring the coastlines were a big part of each day’s activities, along with plenty of swimming, watercolour painting, and snorkelling. A testimony and daily lesson study were enjoyed with some amazing views. While fishing, one of the campers caught (and released!) two small sharks, a small octopus, a rock, and lots of fun fish to look at. It was very exciting to say the least. On the last day, we stopped midway back to the cars to have a snack and jump off a small cliff. This program continues to be a wonderful way to connect with our alumni and new campers looking for an adventurous wilderness experience.
“The wildlife viewing on the trip was incredible and the opportunity to be unplugged and so present for each moment was refreshing.” – 20s/30s Camper
“I felt such genuine love and support from the rest of the group and felt like I was contributing positively to the week.” – 20s/30s Camper
Men’s Weekend
With three nights this year and dates moved to August, Men’s Weekend enjoyed beautiful weather and extra time for the group to bond. An optional canyoning excursion was a highlight, alongside kayak polo, ultimate frisbee, watercolour painting, ocean fishing, and sea kayaking. Our practitioner talk and subsequent reflective time and conversation is always a treat.
Camp’s summer success would not be possible without the tremendous support of our board, Guild members, cooks, merlins, camper parents and grandparents, branch churches, donors, and our amazing camp counsellors. We are endlessly grateful for this incredible community and for another summer full of joy, growth, and adventure at Camp Bow-Isle. We can’t wait to see everyone back at camp again next year, along with the many new faces we expect will join us.
“I really appreciated the practitioner talk, which helped me move past some old ways of thinking.” – MW Participant
“The canyoning experience was a highlight – the beauty, adventure, and camaraderie was unbelievable.” – MW Participant
