Monthly Archives: July 2013

Activities, Camp Staff, Events, Q-Town & Music, Social Media, Summer Camp

Just Loved Life Here Today

Flying in the air on the Rockin' Roll at Qwanoes Beach!

The last full day of Jr. High #3 is happening right now and activities are going on all around the camp from Qwanoes Beach to the challenge course to all our land activities. At this point in each Jr. High camp, we hold a Skateboard Competition and Soccer Tournament while campers are free to choose whatever activity they’d like to do in the open activities session.

Soon it’ll be tuck time where everyone stops, meets on the main field, enjoys treats from camp stores like Ice Cream Island and Shave Ice Palace, listens to the live DJ doing a qrok show, plays games like carpetball, and so on – it’s a huge hang-out time.

Performing the "Airwalk" at Qwanoes' skatepark

After tuck time, it’s time for more open activities and the RC Speedway Grand Prix! We have had an awesome week of perfect summer weather and fun together with our Jr. High #3 campers! More about the Jr. High program.

Quotes Of The Week

“Summer Camp was always the best part of my summer vacation when I was a kid… now my grand daughter is coming back from her first Camp Qwanoes experience… I can’t wait to hear all the wonderful stories and see the excitement in her eyes. I’m sure it’s been a life long memory making experience for her. Thanks to all who make Camp Qwanoes such an awesome place!” ~ grandparent of Juniors #1 camper, summer 2013

“So I’ve been here at Camp Qwanoes for nearly a month now, and it has easily been the best and most life changing month of my entire life. I’ve met some of the greatest people alive today, created some of the best memories, and just loved life here today…”~ staff member, summer 2013

Helping one another conquer the Wishbone Walkway in the challenge course

“It was the same thing with my little brother… as it was for me last summer, he didn’t want to leave camp! He had such an incredible time, and is still telling me of all the amazing things he did, the friends he made, and of course; how awesome his two counsellors were! I’m so glad he liked it just as much as I did… Making me even more excited for camp!! August can’t come soon enough!!” ~ sister of Juniors #1 camper, summer 2013

“Hey!! I’m going to camp on August 4-10. I am soo excited!! I can’t wait!!” ~ Jr. High #4 camper, summer 2013

Check out our Summer Photo Galleries page (link on right)

See More Pictures

Photos are going on our Facebook and Twitter pages most days in the summer. To see the most photos of each week, see our Summer Photo Galleries page. Get a glimpse of what’s been going on this week at Jr. High #3, plus see lots of photos from Jr. High #1, Jr. High #2, and Juniors #1!

Coming Up…

A deer by our "Welcome To Qwanoes" sign!

July 28-August 2: Juniors #2. If you’re coming to Juniors #2, get ready for a week filled with excitement, friends, lots of activities, events like “Wide Eyed & Liquified” and “Billy Blue’s Western Carnival,” firesides, and much more! We’re all looking so forward to welcoming you!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

 

Activities, Events, Leadership Training, Q-Town & Music, Summer Camp

It Means The World To Me

Our first week of camp with 8 to 11 year-old’s this summer, Juniors #1, is coming to an end right after lunch today. We’re so thankful for each and every child that has been with us this week!

Being blobbed at Qwanoes Beach during Juniors #1!

Each cabin of campers has had the chance to try a wide variety of activities this week. There has been something for everyone – from RC Speedway and Artrageous Crafts, to the SkyScraper in the Challenge Course, to the Aqua-Park and Fishing at Qwanoes Beach, to a whole bunch of other land and waterfront activities!

When not doing the activities, lots of events including last night’s Billy Blue’s Western Carnival have been going on. We’ve also been enjoying great music led by Russ Smith and our band Quixotic as well as challenging talks by this week’s speaker, Jonathan Headley, at Q-Town each day. On top of that, our first group of summer 2013 CIT’s has been putting all they’ve learned into practice this week as junior counselors.

It’s hard to capture in a few words all that has taken place this week! Some sad goodbye’s are going to be happening this afternoon!

Quotes Of The Week

“My little brother is there right now for his FIRST year at Qwanoes, I’m so excited for him, I know he will have the time of his life, and will make so many new friends for sure. Such an amazing Camp, and it means the world to me. I can’t wait till I go for youth camp at the end of this summer!!” ~ sister of Juniors #1 camper plus soon-to-be Youth camper, summer 2013

Singing together on piggy-back in Q-Town

“I was there just today. That camp has changed my life.” ~ Jr. High #2 camper, summer 2013, after getting home from camp

“I can’t wait for next year’s step out program when I’m old enough!” ~ Jr. High #2 camper, summer 2013

“@Qwanoes Coming for jh5 soon, so pumped! It’s always the highlight of my summer” ~ soon-to-be Jr. High #5 camper, summer 2013

What Is qrok.ca?

The qrok Tower is a popular spot to hang out while the Squirrel DJ's some music!

Hear the sounds of summer each week on qrok.ca, the finely-tuned web radio station of Camp Qwanoes. Even if you’re not at camp, you can hang out with “the Squirrel (Russ Smith) and let the music take you higher!

Be sure to visit “the Squirrel’s nest” where you’ll find contests, “Right Here, Right Now” Bible verses, more stuff, and you’ll just have to see what you find in “the kitchen!”

Coming Up…

July 20: Staff Development Day. This is a day set aside for staff to re-group, re-charge, and enjoy being together after three weeks of summer camp! We look forward to sleeping in, enjoying excellent meals, having a giant beach party, and being encouraged in a special evening Q-Town.

Welcoming our Juniors #1 campers to Qwanoes last Saturday

July 21-27: Jr. High #3. This Sunday, our third group of 12 to 14 year-old’s in summer 2013 will be arriving at Qwanoes! If you’re coming, we can’t wait to welcome you!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Events, Q-Town & Music, Social Media, Summer Camp

Glo Concert Lights Up Q-Town

Glo Concert last night!

Today is the last full day of Jr. High #2. We have had an incredible week and lasting memories have definitely been made.

Every day has been filled with new activities and events to experience, and yesterday was no exception! Just before lunch, we got out our giant “Big Blue” slip ‘n’ slides (yes, it’s true – we have two now!) and enjoyed some “Wide Eyed & Liquified” time together.

After a full afternoon of activities on the land and at Qwanoes Beach, we had supper and Q-Town – but the day wasn’t over yet! It was time for Kick Flip Café, a giant inflatable slide, and a super-fun hang-out time by the Skate Park.

Our Music Leader Russ Smith surrounded by everyone in Q-Town at the Glo Concert

Right after that it was time for our Glo Concert. Everyone got glow sticks, white balloons were everywhere, the countdown started, and our band Quixotic appeared on the stage. It was awesome to see Q-Town filled with hundreds of campers and staff having an amazing time together.

Quotes Of The Week

Glow stick madness at the Glo Concert!

“Hurray my second time in a row going and this is by far my favorite summer camp ever i love camp qwanoes!” ~ camper, summer 2013

“IT WAS THE BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE !!!!!!” ~ Jr. High #1 camper, summer 2013

“BEST WEEK OF MY ENTIRE LIFE! CAN’T WAIT TO COME BACK NEXT SUMMER! SO MUCH FUN” ~ Jr. High #1 camper, summer 2013

“I CANT WAIT!!! I’m coming in August!” ~ camper, summer 2013

The view from the stage

See More Pictures!

Photos are going on our Facebook and Twitter pages most days in the summer. To see the most photos of each week, see our Summer Photo Galleries page. You can get a glimpse of what’s been going on so far this week at Jr. High #2, plus see lots of photos from Jr. High #1 last week! See anyone you know?!

Coming Up…

July 13-19: Juniors #1. This Saturday, we look forward with great anticipation to welcoming our first group of kids ages 8 to 11 in summer 2013 to Qwanoes! Lots of plans are in the works like Jedi’s Unleashed, Ambush at Crooked Creek, Billy Blue’s Western Carnival, tons of activities, Q-Town, great meals, time with friends and counselors, and much more. If you’re coming, be prepared for a week filled with fun and adventure! More about the Juniors program.

Hope you all have had a great start to your summer!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Camp Staff, Events, Leadership Training, Social Media, Summer Camp

Crazy Laughs And Choice Memories

A gorgeous morning on the first full day of Jr. High #1!

Summer has officially started here at Camp Qwanoes and the first week of camp, Jr. High #1, has been amazing! We’ve had a week of beautiful, very warm weather filled with lots of sunshine and blue sky.

Our brand-new RC Speedway being used by Jr. High #1 campers

Our brand-new activities including the Sky Station and Outdoor Laser Tag have been a huge hit this week, and we’ve really been enjoying our new RC Speedway track and new Archery location. On Canada Day we celebrated together at our giant Canada Day party with music, cake, a limbo contest, and fireworks! Last night our Kick Flip Café was open and we had the very first Glo Concert of the summer where we went bright, loud, and crazy.

An amazing fireworks display at our party for Canada Day

This week, we also have lots of leadership training with high school students going on as it’s the first week of our Counselor-In-Training (CIT) program and the very first week ever of our brand-new Step-Out entry-level leadership training program.

Staff Training 2013

CIT waterski/wakeboard program orientation and fun times on Tuesday evening

Last week, we had a full week of Staff Training to get prepared for the summer ahead. The week was filled with instructional sessions in first aid, water safety, abuse response, counseling, activity skills, emergency procedures, and much more. In addition, we began to develop the unity of our staff team and a vision for what God wants to do through us this summer.

Our speaker for Staff Training was Sid Koop, a long-time speaker at Qwanoes, and Sid is also speaking this week at Jr. High #1. Our staff team this summer includes people from many countries around the world united for the purpose of loving kids to life!

Still Some Limited Space Available…

August 25-September 1: Youth Camp. The Ultimate Qwanoes Week… the perfect way to end your summer in style! For ages 15-18.

Heard on Twitter at the end of Youth Camp last summer:

“Had the most life changing amazing week at @Qwanoes this week and I can’t wait to come back for more!”…

“DEFINITELY one of the best weeks of my life at @Qwanoes. Can’t wait for next summer!”

Youth Camp info here. Very limited space is still available in some of our other camps as well.

NLS waterfront instructor trainer leading a lifeguard clinic at Qwanoes Beach during Staff Training

 

Quote Of The Week

There was huge excitement as buses filled with our Jr. High #1 campers rolled into Qwanoes last Saturday! In the words of one of our counselors from New Zealand:

“So I’ve been here for just over a week now and am flippin loving it! In this time I have met some of the coolest people and made some fantastic friends, had some crazy laughs and made some choice memories. There was an electric excitement in the air as all the kids arrived… that I had never felt before. The atmosphere here is too good! Camp Qwanoes, you are simply the best.”

If you’re coming to Jr. High #2 next week, we can’t wait to welcome you to Qwanoes!

 

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director