Category Archives: Youth Retreats

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

 

 

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

 

 

Events, Youth Retreats

Early Spring Happenings

What a fun week it has been here at Qwanoes!

Trying out the new Giant Connect 4 in Club Coco!

This past weekend, about 125 kids ages 8 to 11 were at our Spring Juniors Retreat. The weekend was filled with many highlights including…

• the introduction of Qwanoes’ brand-new Giant Connect 4

• a birthday celebration on Saturday at supper for our Music & Media Coordinator Russ Smith (a.k.a. The Squirrel)

See Stevie G bringing out birthday cake to Russ!

• challenge course, archery, skateboarding, ricochet,  an evening pool party & more activities and events

Getting ready to go in the Challenge Course on Saturday!

• hearing from our speaker for the weekend Paul Olson of Burnett Fellowship Church in Maple Ridge

• the “Unstoppable” theme and much more

It was great to have kids back at camp and we are filled with anticipation for what lies ahead this summer!

All ages are part of what’s happening at Qwanoes!

One day there were Junior-age kids at camp – the next day we held our annual Senior’s Luncheon. On Monday, we welcomed over 100 seniors representing 10 different churches from up and down the Island. Scott Bayley, Qwanoes’ Executive Director, spoke to the seniors as well as Lindsay Anderson, a pastor from Saanich Baptist Church. The seniors enjoyed music by a chorale from Parksville Baptist Church and a “superb” meal provided by Qwanoes’ food services team.

Now as we prepare to go into the Easter long weekend, we want to say Happy Easter to everyone!  After celebrating Easter, we look forward to next big event that will be happening at Qwanoes… the Kaléo program graduation!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Social Media, Youth Retreats

A Taste Of Summer

As summer is getting closer we’re enjoying more hours of sunlight in each day, it’s getting warmer, the scent of spring-time is in the air, the birds are chirping, trees are budding, and flowers are appearing… Spring is officially here! Pretty soon we’ll be having newborn fawns appearing again around Qwanoes – a rare but beautiful sight!

Spring Juniors Retreat Is Here!

Having fun together at Qwanoes!

Here at Qwanoes tonight, we can’t wait to welcome about 125 campers to our Juniors Retreat! Along with the staff already at camp, leaders are coming from all over and all of our students in the Kaléo program will be involved in running the retreat! Whether campers are coming for the very first time, or have been to a retreat or camp in the summer before, we are so excited that they will be part of this action-packed weekend.

Everything’s ready to go from the rooms, the food, activities, events, music, and everything else that makes a visit to Qwanoes so special. It may not be summer yet, but we look forward to experiencing a small taste of summer together this weekend!

Qwanoes On Facebook

The new cover photo on Qwanoes' official Facebook page!

If you haven’t done so already, we’d like to invite everyone on Facebook to ‘like’ Camp Qwanoes’ official Facebook page. Here you’ll find frequent updates including inspiring content, thoughts and follow-up, fun stuff, questions, and the latest happenings at Qwanoes. Looking forward to you joining us and the – as of today – over 1,900 others on our official page!!

The new cover photo on the Staff-Alumni account!

Qwanoes also has a Staff-Alumni Facebook account that is meant for people who are or have previously been Qwanoes staff members in any capacity. If you are staff-alumni, you can receive updates specifically relevant to you here, but we’d also love for you to be part of the official Qwanoes Facebook page that includes campers and everyone.

Thanks to everyone who has joined us on Facebook so far!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Events, Youth Retreats

Do you know how many days until summer at Qwanoes??

Campers having fun on the Superslide at the Qwanoes Aqua Park!

This past weekend Qwanoes staff headed off to multiple locations to spread the word about summer 2012! First we were in Surrey where the apologetics Canada conference was happening, and then off to three churches in one day on the Sunday. It was great to get out and see so many past staff and campers. We also met many future campers, students and staff! I attended Northwest Langley church myself where I showed our new “At last I’m home” video. Even though the weather hasn’t completed turned yet, I can’t help but feel warmed up by all the summer fun I see in our videos. If you would like us to make a trip to a school, church, event or gathering near you, please be sure to call Camp Qwanoes and ask for Ken Bayley, Director of public relations. In fact, Ken Bayley was just at another school in Campbell River today, so we definitely go to schools too! Just give us a call today! We would love to hear from you. You can also email ken@qwanoes.ca

Did you check your calendar? Today is 108 DAYS TO SUMMER” day! Oh yeah – we can’t wait – it is going to be SO MUCH FUN!

But here’s even better news…you do not have to wait 108 days to get a taste of summer. Why? Because our Juniors Retreat is only two weekends away! It all happens March 30 to April 1 at Qwanoes.

Campers working together to get to the top of the elevator in the Qwanoes challenge course! Just one of many Juniors retreat activities!

This is a great opportunity to step out of the everyday and step into a weekend filled with friends and adventure. Campers will enjoy tons of our activities…like the SkyScraper, Screamer, Breathtaker, skate park, archery, and LOTS more. Russ and the band will be leading us in Q-Town, Stevie-G and crew are planning some crazy All Star Games, and of course there is always great food and plenty of it!

So if you’ve been thinking that 108 days seems much too long – well – you’re right! It IS much too long! But 16 days is much better – and we’d sure love to welcome you here in just a couple more weekends. JUNIORS RETREAT IS March 30 to April 1!

Come on your own or come with a friend – either way we’re looking forward to welcoming you and creating an extra special weekend.

You can check it all out here and register anytime – we still have space available.

~ Written by Jay Kennedy, Qwanoes’ Assistant Director

 

 

 

Youth Retreats

Juniors Retreat Coming Soon!

Join us for one extra special weekend!

Do you know someone between the ages of 8 and 11 who is looking for a weekend adventure? Just can’t wait for summer to come to camp?

Our Spring Juniors Retreat is coming up from Mar. 30-Apr. 1, 2012. This special weekend is going to include lots of fun camp activities (Challenge Course & Archery plus much more), outdoor adventures, “Late Night Madness,” caring counselors and staff, friends, “Town Invasion…The Hot Tub & Pool Are Ours!” and always…a few surprises!

Try the Screamer for yourself!

Our speaker, Paul Olson, the Pastor of Family Ministries at Burnett Fellowship and father of 5, is looking forward to encouraging and challenging everyone to explore truths from God’s Word that will help us in our everyday lives.

Prepare to discover something so powerful that it cannot be stopped… and so amazing that it may just change your life! We can’t wait to welcome everyone!!

 

Heard at our fall retreats: “I love everything! My counselor! The SkyScraper! The food!” “I like the warming feel… the atmosphere, the feeling that everyone here loves me.”

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes Associate Program Director