Are you looking for ideas on overnight camps near Metro Vancouver? Or are you wondering whether a Family Camp might be a better fit for your family?
There are many different types of sleepaway camps to choose from, each with its own unique focus or theme. Options include sports camps, adventure camps, performing arts camps, academic camps, religious camps, and special needs camps. Consider your child's interests and needs when choosing a sleepaway camp to find the best fit.
What Overnight Camps give kids
Sleepaway camps can be a really exciting experience for kids. They get the chance to be independent and make their own decisions, which can be empowering. Plus, they get to hang out with other kids their age and make new friends. Overnight camps often have lots of outdoor activities like hiking, swimming & rock climbing, which can be a great way for kids to stay active and enjoy the great outdoors. And they can also do educational and enriching activities like workshops and craft classes, which can be a fun way for them to experience new things. Overnight camps can also help kids step outside their comfort zone and try new things, which can boost their confidence & self-esteem. All in all, overnight camps can be a fun & rewarding experience for kids!
OVERNIGHT CAMPS NEAR METRO VANCOUVER
YMCA Camp Elphinstone
YMCA overnight camp programs take place at YMCA Camp Elphinstone, located on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast, which is a short ferry ride from West Vancouver. YMCA overnight camps have opportunities for kids aged 5-17 as well as Family Camps. Overnight camps include summer one-week and two-week sessions, extended leadership programs for teens, wilderness expeditions, and family camps. YMCA Camp Elphinstone offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as kayaking, rock climbing, and archery. We love their emphasis on building independence and personal development, helping campers gain confidence in the overnight camp setting!
DEBATE CAMP
OVERNIGHT CAMPS
Debate Camp is once again offering its traditional overnight camp on Vancouver Island. Suitable for campers aged 12-16, Debate Camp is known for its balanced approach to enrichment education. Academic activities such as parliamentary debating, public speaking, and Model United Nations are blended with thematic games & recreation like camp-wide games, swimming, local outings & evening campfires! Debate Camp offers programs in 19 locations across Canada and the US, and your teen can enjoy their 1-week camp this summer from July 28 - Aug 3, on the shores of beautiful Brentwood Bay at Brentwood College! Learn more here.
Lower Mainland
Camp Luther - This is a Christian sleepaway camp located in Mission, BC, about an hour east of Metro Vancouver. It offers programs for children and youth, including adventure, sports, and arts and crafts.
Camp Summit - This is a sleepaway camp located Near Squamish, BC. It offers a range of activities, including horseback riding, mountain biking, and arts and crafts.
Camp Jubilee - This is a sleepaway camp located in Indian Arm, BC. It offers a range of activities, including horseback riding, archery, and water sports.
Evans Lake - This is a sleepaway camp located in Squamish, BC, about a 1-hour drive north of Metro Vancouver. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking.
Camp McLean - This is a co-ed sleepaway camp operated by Scouts Canada located in Langley, BC, about a 30-minute drive east of Metro Vancouver. It offers a range of activities, including horseback riding, water sports, and arts and crafts.
Camp Squeah - This is a full-time Christian summer camp located in Hope, BC. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as swimming, boating, and archery. Also offers shorter stays for younger campers and Family Camp options.
Sunshine Coast / Gulf Islands / Vancouver Island
YMCA Camp Elphinstone - This is a sleepaway camp located on the Sunshine Coast, offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as kayaking, sailing, rock climbing, and archery.
Debate Camp - This unique camp for teens aims to empower students with the skills of effective communication and teamwork through the avenues of debate and public speaking.
Camp Olave - This is a Girl Guide sleepaway camp located in Sechelt, BC. It offers a range of activities for all ages of Girl Guides.
Camp Fircom - This is a sleepaway camp located on Gambier Island, BC, which is a short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as kayaking, rock climbing, archery and outdoor school.
Camp Qwanoes - This is a Christian sleepaway camp located in Crofton on Vancouver Island. It offers a range of outdoor and adventure activities, such wakeboarding and archery to mountain boarding and the Sky-Scraper…there’s over 75 activity options to choose from!
Camp Homewood - This is a sleepaway camp located on Vancouver Island. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as harbour camp, ranch camp, sailing camp and woodsman camp.
Camp Sunrise - This is a Christian sleepaway camp run by the Salvation Army located in Gibsons, BC. They offer programs such as the "BRAVE" Teen Girl Camp & Performing Arts Camps.
Camp Thunderbird - This is a sleepaway camp located in Sooke, BC. It offers a variety of outdoor activities and has provided outdoor experiences for children and youth since 1935.
Camp Narnia - This is a sleepaway camp located in Cowichan Valley, BC. Kids can try cooking over a campfire, dress up in costume for the Narnian play, create works of art, test their archery skills, and (most importantly) make lots of new friends.
Okanagan & BC Interior
Camp Owaissi - This is a Christian sleepaway camp located in Kelowna, BC. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as swimming, boating, and archery. With over 50 acres of land including beaches and forest it's a truly nature based experience.
Eagle Bay Camp - This is a Christian sleepaway camp located in Vernon, BC. It offers a variety of outdoor activities for children ages 8 to 15.
Camp Koolaree - This is a sleepaway camp located in Trail, BC. It is run by the United Church & offers a range of activities, including horseback riding, water sports, and arts and crafts.
WHAT ARE FAMILY CAMPS?
Family camps provide an opportunity for families to spend quality time together and bond in a different setting and a “practice run” for kids who are unsure if they are ready for sleepaway camp by themselves. Most sleep away summer camp operators located near Metro Vancouver, British Columbia offer 1 or 2 family camp sessions at the beginning or end of their regular camp season.
Many family camps offer a range of outdoor activities to try together, such as swimming, boating, and hiking, which can be a great way for families to enjoy the outdoors and stay active. Family camps can provide a relaxing and stress-free environment, which can be a great way for families to recharge and reconnect. They can also be a great way for families to meet new people and build new relationships!
Wondering what to do with the kids in Metro Vancouver this weekend, or what to make for dinner? You can find it at HealthyFamilyLiving.com! From the Sunshine Coast to the Fraser Valley, we’re the best online resource for busy parents looking for practical tips for healthy, active, sustainable living. For the latest on family events, outdoor adventures, birthday parties, camps & classes and kid-approved recipes, follow us on Facebook and sign-up for our parent-approved e-newsletter!
