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!
camp
qwanoes
If your child is craving big adventure and meaningful connections, Camp Qwanoes delivers both in spades in a safe, supportive camp community. Located on 55 acres of beautiful waterfront near the town of Crofton on Vancouver Island, this high-adventure Christian camp offers overnight summer programs for kids aged 8–18, along with popular family camp. Days are filled with sun, laughter, great food, and nonstop action, with 75+ activities to choose from — including wakeboarding, archery, mountain boarding, kayaking, and the iconic Sky-Scraper. Get excited for an amazing summer by watching the camp theme video for 2026! From one-week overnight sessions to teen leadership programs and kayak expeditions, Camp Qwanoes is designed to build confidence, friendships, and unforgettable summer memories that will last a lifetime. Learn more here.
FIRESIDE
ADVENTURES
Designed for youth aged 7–18, Fireside Adventures offers powerful overnight outdoor experiences that help kids, teens & Gen Z grow into confident, grounded, and resilient humans. With kids programs based on BC’s Sunshine Coast and extended adventures in Japan and Fiji for teens & beyond, these camps invite young people to reconnect — with nature, with others, and with themselves. Through shared challenges like hiking, campcraft, paddling, outdoor leadership, and environmental stewardship, campers build independence, empathy, and deep friendships. Fireside Adventures is intentionally supportive of neurodiverse participants, guided by caring mentors in small-group settings, and select programs can count toward the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (Canada) — making this an experience that supports personal growth long after camp ends. Learn more here.
Camp
Squeah
Nestled in the beautiful Fraser Valley near Hope, Camp Squeah offers a welcoming overnight camp experience for kids, youth, and families looking for growth, connection, and classic camp fun in a faith-based setting. With programs for ages 6–17, plus a popular Family Camp, there’s something for every stage. Younger campers (ages 6–9) can ease into overnight camp with short, 2-night stays and extra staff support, while youth ages 9–14 enjoy full 5-night sessions packed with archery, rock climbing, swimming, crafts, and even a supervised overnight hiking experience. Teens ready to lead can step into a variety of Leadership & Discipleship Summer Camps or Squeah's Spring Break 'PLANTED' Camp, focused on service, personal growth, and deepening faith. Camp Squeah is known for striking the right balance between challenge and care — creating a safe, encouraging community where kids build confidence, friendships, and memories that last well beyond summer. Learn more here.
CAMP
GRAFTON
Camp Grafton is nestled on beautiful Magna Bay on Shuswap Lake, BC, and offers campers aged 6-16 a variety of unforgettable overnight summer experiences rooted in friendship and outdoor adventure. Located in a peaceful natural setting, this welcoming camp offers kids the chance to unplug, build confidence, and grow through shared activities like games, nature exploration, team challenges, and meaningful campfire conversations. Built on community and fun, Camp Grafton gives kids a chance to try new things, make lifelong friends, and return home with a greater sense of independence and belonging. With a focus on support, creativity, and joyful growth, it’s an experience families trust, and kids look forward to year after year. Learn more here.
ST. MICHAELS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
SMUS continues to be a top choice for overnight summer camps for teens aged 13–17, hosted on the school's stunning Victoria, BC campus. Built around the idea to learn, discover, and create, these immersive programs give teens the chance to grow their skills, explore new interests, and build friendships with campers from across Canada and around the world. Choose from enriching academic camps like Leadership, Engineering, and Game Development, or high-performance sports camps including Volleyball, Soccer, Squash, Rugby, and Basketball. Known for thoughtful supervision and a supportive residential setting, SMUS offers teens a confidence-building taste of independence — all within a safe, structured environment. Learn more here.
CAMP
FIRCOM
Tucked away on a peaceful 120-acre waterfront property on Gambier Island, Camp Fircom offers kids aged 6–16 a classic overnight camp experience rooted in nature, personal growth, and joyful connection. Campers spend their days unplugged from screens and immersed in fresh air, exploring forest trails, swimming in the Salish Sea, trying new activities like kayaking or low-ropes challenges, and making lifelong friendships around campfires. Fircom’s philosophy of “challenge by choice” means each child is encouraged — not pushed — to stretch their comfort zone at their own pace, Whether your camper tries something new for the first time or builds confidence through tried-and-true favourites, Fircom helps them discover curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Camp Fircom is an inclusive environment for all genders and identities. Learn more here.
OVERNIGHT CAMPS NEAR METRO VANCOUVER
Lower Mainland
Camp Squeah - Nestled in the hills of Hope, BC, this is a full-time Christian camp that also offers shorter stays for younger campers and Family Camp options. Outdoor activities include swimming, boating, and archery.
Camp Luther - With 3 locations in Mission, Pemberton, and North Vancouver, BC, this Christian sleepaway camp 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 - With a drop-off location in North Vancouver, this is a sleepaway camp located in Indian Arm, BC and offers a range of activities, including horseback riding, archery, and water sports.
Evans Lake - This is a sleepaway camp located in Brackendale, BC, about a 1-hour drive north of Metro Vancouver that offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking.
Camp McLean - Operated by Scouts Canada, this co-ed sleepaway camp is located in Langley, BC, about a 30-minute drive east of Metro Vancouver. With both overnight and day camp options, it offers a range of activities, including horseback riding, water sports, and arts and crafts.
Sunshine Coast / Gulf Islands / Vancouver Island
Camp Qwanoes - Located in Crofton on Vancouver Island, this Christian sleepaway camp has a range of outdoor adventure activities, such as wakeboarding, archery, mountain boarding, and the Sky-Scraper…there are 75+ activity options to choose from. They also provide supervised transportation from Tsawwassen on BC Ferries.
St. Michaels University Camp - Learn, discover & create at this exceptional camp for teens in Victoria, BC. Focus on Leadership, Engineering, Game Development, Sports & more.
Camp Fircom - A short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, this sleepaway camp is located on Gambier Island, BC. They curate a variety of outdoor activities, such as kayaking, rock climbing, archery, and outdoor school on their 120-acre property.
YMCA Camp Elphinstone - This is a popular sleepaway camp for kids and teens on the Sunshine Coast that also offers Family Camp. Everyone can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as kayaking, sailing, rock climbing, and archery.
Debate Camp - Set in the beautiful Pacific ocean-side campus of Brentwood College in Mill Bay, on Vancouver Island, 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 - A year-round ocean paradise in Sechelt, BC, this private Girl Guide sleepaway camp offers a range of activities for all ages, including archery, a low ropes course, swimming, canoeing, and more.
Camp Homewood - Situated on Quadra Island, BC, this is a sleepaway camp is accessed by ferry from Campbell River, 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, next to the ferry terminal. They offer programs such as the "BRAVE" Teen Girl Camp & Performing Arts Camps.
Camp Thunderbird - Another YMCA-organized sleepaway camp located in Sooke, BC, this camp has provided outdoor experiences for children and youth since 1935, where they learn about teamwork, independence, making choices, social skills, responsibility, the ability to take risks, and realize personal limits.
Camp Narnia - Temporarily Closed.
Okanagan & BC Interior
Camp Grafton - This is a Christian camp nestled on beautiful Magna Bay on the North Arm of Shuswap Lake, just 1 ½ hours’ drive (100 km) from Kamloops, BC. The camp features a beautiful, natural waterfront swimming area and acres of trees and creeks, and offers a full range of summer camp programs for children and youth.
Eagle Bay Camp - A 90-minute drive east of Kamloops, this is a Christian sleepaway camp located in Eagle Bay, BC. It offers a variety of outdoor activities for children ages 8 to 15 on the south shore of Shuswap Lake.
Camp Koolaree - This is a sleepaway camp located in Trail, BC, and run by the United Church. Surrounded by lakes and mountains, they offer 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!
