Category Archives: Events

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

Summer 2013 Registration Has Begun!

Happy New Year to everyone! We lit up the sky at Qwanoes!

It’s January 3rd  and registration for summer 2013 is happening now! Ever since last summer ended, we’ve been getting ready for this date. We love summer and kids – and just can’t wait to start it all up again! Even though it’s winter, things have been going full speed ahead at Qwanoes in the past week! Here’s a taste of what has been going on…

 

What’s New For 2013?!

On Dec. 29, we announced our lineup of new activities for summer 2013! Always more fun, always more adventures! Have you heard yet about the Sky Station – inspired by the legend and spirit of our Screamer and SkyScraper?! We so excited about this upcoming major addition to our Challenge Course  plus Outdoor Laser Tag and everything else coming in 2013! Find out all about our new activities here.

It's the staff's turn to ride the SkyScraper at Staff Retreat!

Staff Retreat

On Dec. 30, our Staff Retreat started and it was great to welcome so many staff members back to Qwanoes for a reunion “weekend” of fun, reflection, and celebration! From the Fireside Inspirationals to brunch at the Qwanoes Inn to the SkyScraper to an amazing banquet to our New Year’s Party to the Qwanoes Polar Bear Swim, it was an unforgettable time together and the perfect way to bring in the New Year.

The brave ones at the Qwanoes Polar Bear Swim!

Brand-New Summer Theme Unveiled

Another highlight of the Staff Retreat was that on Dec. 31, the brand-new summer 2013 theme was announced! Here’s a peek at the unveiling of our summer theme RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW (plus hear a bit of our brand-new theme song!)…

Escape To Summer Now

The start of summer registration means that the Escape To Summer Now Contest has begun. Can’t wait for the heat of summer? Then let us fly you to into a hot spot for FREE right now! Please note that you can triple your chances of winning by registering for summer camp from January 3-9. Register now!

Kaléo Program Resumes Today

We are so excited to welcome our students back to Qwanoes today for the second part of the Kaléo program! Looking forward to all that’s ahead in the next number of months!

Bring on summer!!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

 

Events, Summer Camp

Escape To Summer Now!

On the Rocket at Qwanoes Beach during summer 2012!

Summer is coming to Camp Qwanoes, and registration begins on January 3rd. We’re planning to have our greatest summer ever! Just imagine it… blue sky, hot summer days, kids laughing, boats cutting through glassy seas, Moose Tracks cones, the music of Q-Town… we can’t wait.

How about you… can’t wait for the heat of summer? Then let us fly you to into a hot spot for FREE right now!

ANNOUNCING: Qwanoes “Escape To Summer Now” Contest!

You could win two round-trip flights on WestJet  to Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, or Jamaica!

How Do I Enter? Register for a Qwanoes summer camp in January and you’ll be entered for your chance to win!

Want to increase your chances? Register during the first week of our registration (Jan. 3 to 9) and you’ll receive THREE ENTRIES in the contest for each registration you make.

Register during the second week of registration (Jan. 10 to 16) and you’ll receive TWO ENTRIES in the contest for each registration you make.

Register during the last two weeks of January (Jan. 17 to 31) and you’ll receive ONE ENTRY in the contest for each registration you make.

Contest Prize Draw: The prize draw will be made on Feb. 1 during our Qwanoes “LiftOff Getaway” event in Campbell River/Mt. Washington. We’ll announce the winner on Facebook and Twitter by posting a video of the big draw! (Be sure to follow us on Twitter and ‘like’ our Qwanoes Facebook page).

How Do I Register For Camp? It all starts on January 3rd @ 9:00 am. You can register online, by phone, fax or email! To enter the contest you must register someone for a 2013 Qwanoes summer camp. If you register more than one child, you will be entered for each one you register.

Can't wait for summer? Enter our Escape To Summer Now contest!

You Can Choose Your Sun Spot! Hawaii? Jamaica? Mexico? It’s up to you! (Can you fly somewhere else if you like? Sure – in fact, you can actually choose to fly ANYWHERE in the world that WestJet flies – even Winnipeg or Fredericton. We kind of thought you’d prefer a sun spot – though it’s your choice!)

Why Are We Doing This? We love our campers and their families – and this is a way for us to say thank you to everyone who registers! We also love having fun – and helping others have fun. We are SO EXCITED for summer 2013 at Qwanoes, we just HAD to do something special to help kick things off.

EVERY CONTEST HAS TO HAVE FINE PRINT – EVEN THIS ONE!

  • This contest is for two free round-trip flights to anywhere WestJet flies.
  • You can only choose flights where WestJet has space available. There may be some blackout periods, likely mid-December to December 31. You can choose your flights during the year.
  • WestJet tells us that there are no taxes involved.
  • All those who enter the contest agree to have their name announced if they win.
  • If a registrant desires to opt out of the contest, please let our Registrar know at time of registration.
  • Register for a Qwanoes summer camp in January and you’ll be entered for your chance to win. Winner must be age 19 or over. Winner will be the person who made the registration… but of course you can decide how you want to use your flights!
  • Sorry Qwanoes year-round staff and board members… we can’t enter you in the contest. But we can provide free suntan lotion!
  • Questions? Feel free to contact us at 1-888-997-9266 or email life@qwanoes.ca.

~ Written by Scott Bayley, Qwanoes’ Executive Director

 

 

Activities, Adult Retreats, Events, Leadership Training, Youth Retreats

Retreat Season at Qwanoes Happening Now!

A Glimpse Into A Few Of Our Retreats

Campers, campers and more campers! We have had many retreats during this busy fall season, and it has been so great to see first-hand so many having such a special time here at camp. We have had Women’s, Juniors, Junior High, and Senior High retreats so far and coming up next weekend is our last retreat of the fall with men coming in for the grand finale!

Our theme for the Juniors Retreat was “UNSTOPPABLE” and our very own Russ Smith (the “Squirrel”) was the speaker and music leader for the weekend. The campers and staff had so much fun together playing crazy All Star games including toilet paper wars, trying out many activities like archery and challenge course, and invading a local swimming pool!

Together at the Juniors Retreat!

A couple of weeks later, Junior High youth came in from far and wide to have one fantastic weekend together with the theme “NO MATTER WHAT.” Jon Morrison (“Jonny Mo”) one of our camp speakers was back again talking all about how God’s love won’t stop “no matter what”. Here is a highlight video from the weekend that gives you a glimpse at the fun!

The Senior High Retreat was just this past weekend and it was so good to see so many of our older campers make it back to camp. And of course whenever Senior Highs are at Qwanoes, we pull out lots of surprises!

The foam pit first seen at Youth Camp was back for the Sr. High Retreat!

My favorite surprises were the afternoon activity additions – one being our new foam machine! Yes that’s right, it is exactly how it sounds… a machine with a sole purpose of making FOAM! And LOTS of it! We also had a warm fire happening with s’mores and a Nerf-gun war right in Q-Town… now that’s something different! And of course all the much-loved Qwanoes activities from the Skate Park to the SkyScraper and much more were going on!

Kaléo Program Update

Part of being a student at Qwanoes in the Kaléo program is “learning and doing” and one way our students do this is by helping make the retreats happen. So here’s a big shout out to all our students for doing such an amazing job in whatever role you played!

Out on one of the many adventures the Kaléo program has to offer!

On top of all these retreats, the students are busy doing lots of other things from rigorous academics to swinging from the trees! The students are always up to something and the best way to catch the latest happenings of the Kaléo program is by visiting the weekly blog.

Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner! Let us be the first ones to wish you Merry Christmas if you haven’t already heard it!

~ Written by Jay Kennedy, Qwanoes’ Assistant Director

 

 

Events

The “Mac & Cheese & Milkshake Lady”

Janet Anderson surrounded by kids in Colombia while on a Qwanoes missions trip

Many of you know that Janet Anderson, Qwanoes’ Board Chair and our friend, passed away on October 14 after a courageous battle with cancer. A service in celebration of Janet’s life and a carnival (yes, you read that right!) were held on Saturday, October 27 at Oakridge Baptist Church in Vancouver. Janet’s desire was that this service would be a party and that lots of kids would be there!

So what was it like to be there on Saturday and why did Janet want this to be a party and a time of fun?!

Janet's pastor Barton Priebe leading the service (note the balloons - they were everywhere!)

Janet’s celebration of life was an event those who were there will remember for a very long time! It was a truly unique and God-honouring experience. The service was all about what Jesus can do in a person’s life. Camp Qwanoes had been asked to put on the carnival Janet requested and we were ready. Once the service ended, the carnival got going and it was almost impossible to get around from one room to another in the church – it was jam-packed!

What it was like being at “Janet’s Celebration of Life Carnival”

The candy table "in sweet loving memory of Janet"

Picture walking up to a beautifully-decorated table, getting a colourful paper cupcake holder, and filling it with delicious candies of all types that are displayed all over the table….

Girls and the "Green Man" enjoying the carnival!

The carnival also included a whole bunch of fun games and challenges, face painting, bubbles, music, popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs right off the barbeque, macaroni and cheese, Ice Cream Island, milkshakes from Club Coco, Shave Ice Palace, the Tuck Shop – you name it… it was there! I heard kids at the carnival saying that it was the best carnival they had ever been to! I know I felt like I was a kid again for a couple of hours. Janet would have been so pleased!

Help love kids to life at Qwanoes!

Those who knew Janet are aware that she was passionate about Qwanoes’ mission of loving kids to life… helping them discover, live, and share life like no other in Christ. For those who were not there on Saturday, an exciting opportunity exists to help love kids to life at Qwanoes! Janet’s husband Frank has requested that gifts in memory of Janet would be given to Camp Qwanoes. Several families that are also passionate about the mission of Qwanoes have committed to match the gifts that are made in memory of Janet! Every $1 given will be matched by $3 for the first $20,000 given – meaning that your gift will be quadrupled!

To give a gift to Qwanoes in memory of Janet, please contact Betty Bayley at 250-246-3014 or toll free at 1-888-997-9266. Or you could mail a cheque to the camp with a note that your gift is in memory of Janet. To have your gift quadrupled, please give by November 15.

Step right up!

Why Janet wanted her celebration of life service to be a party and a time of fun

Janet’s husband Frank made it clear why Janet wanted her service to be this way:

  • “She would be in Heaven where there is no sorrow, no tears, no sadness, only rejoicing, peace, and love and we here can also rejoice in this.”
  • “She wanted to recognize how joyful her life in Christ had been. She wanted to show that living the Christian life is exciting, fulfilling, and full of fun.”
  • “Because of who she was… a fun loving, exciting person. She was known by nieces and nephews as the ‘Mac and Cheese and Milkshake lady.'”

I know that I am inspired by Janet’s life and by what went on at her celebration of life. I agree with Janet, as she said shortly before her death, that life in Christ is “wonderful!”

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Adult Retreats, Events, Guest Groups, Leadership Training, Youth Retreats

A Super-Sunny Start To Fall

I can't believe it's late September in this picture!

What a great start to Fall! I don’t know what the weather has been like at your house, but it has been SUNNY every day since the last day of Youth Camp here at Qwanoes – and there is no rain in sight!

Guest Groups At Qwanoes – All the sunny weather has been great for many school groups who have made Qwanoes their destination for kick-off retreats to the school year. Imagine your school coming to Qwanoes!?? You should ask your teacher!

One of the school groups that came was the leadership students of Trinity Western University. For many years now, they have made it one of their annual events that the students look forward to and this year was no exception. The speaker was great, the food was fantastic, and Qwanoes Beach was open for one last time! It was like summer all over again, but the campers were a little bigger than our summer campers.

So good to see lots of LIVE IT UP t-shirts at the Road Tour!

Road Tour – Qwanoes took camp on the road for four awesome Road Tour events at churches near many of you!  It was so great to see so many campers once again and many of their friends. The Squirrel and our band Quixotic was on the stage leading everyone in Q-Town, plus Stevie-G and crew led some lively All Star Games with rockets flying everywhere! And the night wasn’t over until everyone enjoyed some cookies and juice at mug-up!

One of the highlights for me was having CIT’s and campers at every Road Tour share how much camp has made a difference in their lives and so has being a part of a youth group throughout the year. One camper said it best: “Camp is so great but youth group is great too, and it’s like a little bit of camp once a week all year long.”

If you aren’t connected to a youth group yet, no worries. Just check with a friend who is in one, or check out our church finder online or call the camp. We know many great youth groups! SEE MORE PICTURES FROM ROAD TOUR

Qwanoes’ Students – Our students in the Kaléo program are up to new things every week! And this week is no exception. Right now they are on a really big sailing ship in the Gulf Islands that sleeps 32 people! Imagine being on a sailing trip like that! This trip includes lots of shore excursions, swinging from ropes off the ship, lessons on how to sail, and lots of great chapel times learning and growing together. We can’t wait to see pictures and hear stories soon!

Next week the students will be taking their Camp & Youth Ministry class along with a number of Qwanoes interns, and after that they are off on a cold water surfing trip in Tofino. To follow the journey of Qwanoes’ students and to learn more about our Kaléo leadership program, follow the weekly blog.

Fall Retreats – Missing Qwanoes? You don’t have to wait until next summer! Come on back for a retreat where we pack the fun of summer into one weekend. You won’t want to miss getting together with all your friends at Qwanoes. We miss you and hope to see you back at camp soon! More info about Qwanoes’ fall retreats for youth and adults.

Happy Thanksgiving from Qwanoes! Give thanks this weekend!

That's what the tall ship looks like that the Qwanoes students have been on all week!

 

~ Written by Jay Kennedy, Qwanoes’ Assistant Director

 

 

Activities, Adult Retreats, Camp Staff, Events, Leadership Training, Q-Town & Music, Social Media, Summer Camp, Youth Retreats

What A Summer!

It is a gorgeous sunny day at Qwanoes today and it really feels like summer camp should still be going on here! Today, we’re hosting a large high school guest group, Brentwood College, and it’s great having students here with us again at Qwanoes.

Celebrating An Amazing Summer

We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who was part of “Live It Up” summer 2012! Over 3,500 campers came to Qwanoes this summer and we loved having each one here. Our staff team of almost 400 people came together from across B.C. and Canada and over 10 different countries – all for the purpose of loving kids to life. Thanks to all our staff for your dedication, your love for kids, your servant hearts, and for being sold out to making a difference in the lives of kids!

In front of the transformed qrok Tower at our "Shine" Youth Camp banquet!

Each week of the summer was filled with highlights and special memories, from the start of Junior High #1 and the giant Canada Day party, all the way to the grand finale week of the summer… Youth Camp! Our theme “Live It Up” was made a reality as campers tried new activities like Paddle Surfing and RC Speedway, went on our giant slip ‘n’ slide called Big Blue, played games like Castle Conquest, went to the Surf-O-Rama concert or carnival, sang energetic songs and listened to a great speaker in Q-Town, spent time with friends and made new ones, enjoyed barbeques and other tasty food, hung out with incredible counselors and other staff, and so much more.

A fun glimpse of what went on can be seen by taking a look at our Facebook timeline and our tweets throughout the summer on Twitter. You can also see many photos from each week in the summer plus the Summer Family Retreat by taking a look at our Summer Photo Galleries page.

Kaléo Program Off & Running!

Students & staff gathered together in front of Club Coco last Thursday.

Last week, we were very excited to welcome 22 students to Qwanoes for the 2012/13 Kaléo program year! On Thursday, we had a staff & student beach party at Qwanoes Beach that included fun on the Aqua-Park, Paddle Surfing, and Rocket Plus activities behind the boat. On Friday and Saturday, the students received some practical training as challenge ropes course instructors – as well as getting to try some challenges out for themselves! Right now, they are on their first out-trip of the year  to Mt. Albert-Edward, the sixth highest peak on Vancouver Island, in Strathcona Provincial Park near Courtenay.

Staff & students having fun together on the field!

A Look Ahead Into Fall

We miss everyone and are so glad we don’t have to wait until next summer to see many of you! Lots of ways to stay connected are happening in the fall. Next week, the Qwanoes Road Tour will be coming to a location near many of you. We’re getting ready to bring the excitement of summer to Greater Vancouver, Victoria, and Parksville! Click here for full details including dates and locations… and to invite your friends. We can’t wait to see you there!!

Enjoy a typical Qwanoes evening at the Road Tour - from the energy of Q-Town to many crazy, interactive events!

In October and November, we have youth retreats – Juniors, Jr. High, Sr. High – as well as Women’s and Men’s retreats. Our retreats offer a weekend escape from the everyday, and a perfect chance to connect with God and others while experiencing the fun and energy of Qwanoes. Whether you were here in the summer or not, we would love to welcome you! To find out more about the fall retreats or to register, please see this link.

We wish everyone the best as the new school year has begun. Wherever you may be, we encourage you to live up this life that Jesus came for us to have to the very full the whole year through!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Events, Summer Camp

Olympic Excitement Comes To Qwanoes!

Juniors #3 On Now – Then… Youth Camp!

Emily Zurrer holding an autographed Qwanoes "LiftOff" shirt (the theme her last year as a camper).

Today is the last full day of Juniors #3 and what an amazing week it has been! Right from the start we could see that this group of campers was extra-excited about pretty much everything. We are thankful for each and every camper that is here with us! This week has been filled with all the activities, adventure, firesides, surprises, and everything else that make a week at Qwanoes so much fun. And while all the fun is happening, lots of new friendships are being made and everyone is being challenged to live life to the full here, but also in their everyday lives! See photos of the week so far.

Youth Camp 2012 is now just two days away! We have been planning for Youth Camp for months now and can hardly wait to live it up with hundreds of senior high youth next week. It’s hard to see summer coming to an end, but it’s NOT OVER YET and Youth Camp is a pretty incredible “final act” to the summer!

Emily about to speak to campers and staff at the qrok Tower.

You Just Never Know Who’ll Drop In At Tucktime!

Yesterday afternoon, a very special guest visited Qwanoes  – causing a huge amount of excitement! Emily Zurrer, former Qwanoes camper and member of the Canadian women’s soccer team that just won Olympic Bronze, was here during tucktime!

Signing lots of autographs!

Emily was swarmed by campers AND staff  – and took it all in stride. She signed tons of autographs, posed for many pictures, spoke some encouraging words to campers and staff at the qrokTower, passed around her Bronze medal, and even had time for a quick tour around the camp.

She loved seeing some of the new activities and facilities that have been added since she was last at Qwanoes like the SkyScraper and Elevator in the Challenge Course, the concrete Skate Park, the greatly-expanded Aqua-Park and Paddle Surfing at Qwanoes Beach, Shave Ice Palace, the Q-Town Activity Centre, and the Pacific Woods Lodge.

Holding the Bronze medal!

Emily was very kind and gracious to everyone, even when some campers tried to attack her with a water blaster a couple of times during her visit!

Here’s some of what Emily had to say to us at the qrok Tower: “It’s so cool to be back and to see all you guys… I just want to encourage you all to never give up on your dreams no matter what…. Have fun at camp – this is amazing – you guys are so lucky to be here… I wish I could come back as a camper and go on the Blob and do all the fun stuff you guys get to do!”

Emily with staff from when she was a camper!

It was great to have Emily back here for the first time since she was a camper! And many of us here held an Olympic medal for the very first time ever!!

To hear Emily talking to us and to catch a glimpse of all the excitement for yourself, click the play button on the video below – “Emily Zurrer At Qwanoes!”

 

~ Written by Julie Bayley (Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director)

 

 

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

Action Here & Far Away

Jr. High #4 Cruising Right Along

We’ve been having a great week here at Qwanoes with Jr. High #4 on right now! Right now, tuck time is beginning and campers and counselors are gathering together on the field. Tunes are blasting from the qrok Tower and it’s time to hang out together on the main field! The weather was perfect this morning for “Wide Eyed & Liquified” – our wettest game of the week – and for going down our giant wet and sudsy water slide “Big Blue.”

Love this perfect summer weather!

More Sunny, Warm Days Ahead

Speaking of weather… the weather forecast at Camp Qwanoes is for just about perfect summer weather for the rest of Jr. High #4, all of Jr. High #5, and even into Juniors #3!

As many of you who live on Vancouver Island and in Greater Vancouver already know, we all experienced a huge electrical storm on Tuesday evening. At one point, part of this storm passed directly over Camp Qwanoes causing quite a bit of excitement. This happened right as the camp was enjoying “It’s Your Turn,” a time when each cabin group gets free time to do something fun together. As the storm got closer, the field was filled with people playing games and having a great time.

Everyone was evacuated safely to the cabins and buildings and no one was hurt. For many of us, the loudest crash of thunder we have ever heard occurred right after a lightning strike very close to the Pacific Woods Lodge!

Even our food services staff are in the spirit of the Olympics... see the message in the jello!

Victory For Canada! 

This morning, many of us were very excited to hear about Canada’s victory over France in the Bronze medal game in women’s soccer at the 2012 Olympics! Former Qwanoes camper Emily Zurrer is on the team and although she has been sidelined with an injury, she has been right there part of all the action.

Last week during Juniors #2, we showed a video from Emily in Q-Town talking about the buildup to the Olympics and sharing encouragement with all the campers and staff.  Since Canada was playing Great Britain the next day in the quarter-final, we sent Emily a new video of all of us cheering on Canada.

Our tweet to Emily before the game vs. Great Britain

After Canada won the game against Great Britain, Emily sent us a new video to thank us for our support and some of her teammates got in on this too! We showed this video in the first Q-Town at Jr. High #4. In the video Emily said, “We just want to say… a huge thank you for the video. You guys are awesome. It pumped our team up!”

Canadian goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc went on to say, “Hi Camp Qwanoes! We just want to thank you for the amazing video… we love you.” They said they hoped to make us proud and they sure did with their solid performance against the United States in the semi-final – followed by the huge win today against France!

See “‘Go Canada Go’ In Q-Town”:

See last week’s blog post Go Canada Go!  to see the first video we sent Emily.

Back to Jr. High #4… Looking forward to Q-Town and the Surf-O-Rama concert tonight, more activities and competitions like the Skate Comp tomorrow, plus everything else that happens on a Qwanoes day!

~Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

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

Go Canada Go!

An Exciting, Action-Packed Week

Today, Juniors #2 is coming to an end and it has been an exciting, action-packed week.

Each day has included things like… daring to go off the Screamer, aiming for the target in archery, racing RC cars at the Qwanoes RC Speedway, playing with new friends in the Aqua-Park, creating something in Artrageous Crafts, trying out fun challenges at the Surf-O-Rama carnival, sliding down our giant wet and slippery slide called “Big Blue,” hanging out with caring counselors and staff, singing with our band Quixotic in Q-Town, listening to the week’s speaker Mark Batten (from Calvary Christian Church in Surrey), and so much more.

See photos of Juniors #2 here.

We look forward to welcoming our Jr. High #4 campers on Sunday, as well as having our CIT #2 (Counselor-In-Training) program begin!

Camp Qwanoes Cheering For Canada

On our camp picture day this week, we decided to send a huge message of support to former Qwanoes camper Emily Zurrer (on the Canadian women’s soccer team) and the entire Canadian Olympic team in London. Hundreds of campers and staff gathered on the grass in front of Club Coco. We got out our giant Canada flag, put on some Canada clothing, and went a bit crazy cheering for Canada. Who knows? Maybe a future Olympian is in this group of 8 to 11 year-old campers!

An International Olympics Celebration At Qwanoes

What do the Olympics and Qwanoes have in common? Both bring people from many different countries together! After cheering for Canada, everyone at Juniors #2 had the chance to watch as staff and campers from different countries got up in front of the group and sent messages of support to their own Olympic teams. It is very exciting to see how Qwanoes staff come from so many different backgrounds and parts of the world and unite together for the purpose of loving kids to life!

Staff from Great Britain

Countries represented on our staff team this summer include New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, France, Switzerland, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, and of course Canada.

Hear what some of our international staff have to say about being at Qwanoes…

“It doesn’t matter where we are from… we are one big family… it’s good to be here.” – Sabrina from Brazil

“I’m a ‘go big or go home’ kind of guy which is why I have come to Qwanoes for 7 years and I’m not stopping!”– Byron from USA

Staff from Brazil

“There is nothing quite like this in Scotland… It’s so cool to get to know people from all over the world. Canadians are very enthusiastic.” – Fiona from Scotland

“Always wanted to do summer camp! And we don’t have camps like Qwanoes in Australia. We do a lot more here at Qwanoes than camps back home. We make the experience the best ever for kids so that they will never forget! With lots of purpose every week. We put maple syrup on everything! Drive on the wrong side of the road! The Qwanoes yellow buses are amazing. Canadians are super friendly and genuine.” – Steph from Australia

Our Aussie & Kiwi staff having some fun!

“Love the people, they are amazing…”– Miles from New Zealand

“I love the landscape here, the nature, forest, the ocean, people are so friendly…” – Christophe from France

Click the play button below to see and hear international staff and campers cheer for their countries!

~ Written by Julie Bayley (Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director)

 

 

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

Living It Up Each Day

So much is going on at Qwanoes every day right now! It is hard to capture with words just how amazing it is to be part of what happens each week in the summer at Qwanoes. In the words of Cintia Rojo, a staff member from Brazil, “This week at Qwanoes… truly an AWESOME time.”

Even the Squirrel got out for the big staff beach party! He loved the new paddle surfing activity!

Staff Development Day

Between the end of Juniors #1 and the start of Jr. High #3, we had a special day set aside called our Staff Development Day. This day included a sleep-in, some more staff training, a huge beach party and supper at Qwanoes Beach, Q-Town, and an extra-special mug-up. This was a great day to re-group and re-charge for all that is still ahead this summer!

The big show at Qwanoes Starwood night!

Jr. High #3 Happening Right Now!

Right now just as the opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympics is about to take place in London, a huge relay called the “Qwantathalon”  is taking place at Qwanoes! Games and events, led by Stevie G and the All-Star events team, are always a big part of a week at Qwanoes. Jr. High #3 has featured events like “To The Extreme,” our night game “Cobra Conquest,” “Planet Starwood,” and much more. Last night, we had the “Surf-O-Rama” concert along with the very popular Kick-Flip Café. And there’s still more to come!  See photos of the week so far.

Now hands are even cleaner at Qwanoes! 24 new outdoor sinks!

New Hand-Washing Station 

All of this week, we’ve been enjoying our brand-new hand washing station with 24 sinks! This station is right by the Sky Ridge Lodge where we eat our meals. Last week during Juniors #1, this giant hand washing station was built and put into action by the last day of the camp. Now washing hands before meals is easier than ever!

Living It Up At Q-Town Tonight

Q-Town is definitely one of the big highlights of a day at Qwanoes. Campers and staff love singing along with our music team Quixotic and all summer long Q-Town has been filled with tons of energy. Catch a small taste of the action during Juniors #1 and hear part of the new Q-Town song, “Q-Town Tonight”!

See Living It Up At Q-Town Tonight…

 

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director