Activities, Adult Retreats, Camp Staff, Leadership Training

Time To Celebrate

Can't wait for all of you to be around the qrok Tower!

Just over 9 more weeks until Jr. High #1 begins! Summer is coming and we can’t wait for when this place is filled up again with all of you!

Time to celebrate!

Our Students Are Now Grads!

What a fantastic celebration it was this past weekend for our Kaléo program graduation! On Saturday we enjoyed the graduation ceremony in Club Coco with many family members, friends, Qwanoes staff members, Briercrest representatives, and local church leaders in attendance. Then we moved down to the dining hall for a very special banquet.

Through the afternoon, a huge highlight was hearing a variety of people – from students to parents to a pastor to a grandma and one of the students’ profs – share what the Kaléo program has meant to them. Those of us who were there would definitely agree with grad Levi Allen that, “I can’t help be be fired up for all the amazing potential that will be moving out of this program from just this year alone.”

Congratulations to all the grads of our Kaléo program for 2012/13! We are so proud of you, plus excited about what God has done in your lives this year and what he will do through you in the days ahead!

At the Kaléo program grad reception last Friday

Coming Up…

• Apr. 30: Advance Crew Begins. All of us on the year-round staff team are very excited to welcome our first members of Advance Crew in just 4 more days. During Advance Crew, the foundations for summer  2013 will be laid as this vital group of leaders is involved in all aspects of getting ready for the summer and working with pre-summer guest groups.

• May 3-5: Spring Women’s Retreat. It’s not too late! There is still space available. Experience the perfect break from the everyday! Enjoy freedom from responsibilities, excellent meals, and a great program planned with your needs in mind. You’ll love our speaker, Tina Ury of Seattle. Details & to register.

Qwanoes' Recreation Coordinator, Matt Flemming, trying out the brand-new Sky Station for the very first time!

• May 3-5: Challenge Course Instructor Training Workshop. This workshop is designed for those who would like to serve in a dynamic high-adventure setting. More info here. Call or email us to register – space is limited (priority to summer staff applicants age 17 & up). Please note that our CIT Challenge Course Instructor Training Workshop will be happening the following weekend, May 10-12!

Quote Of The Week

Here’s what one of our students, Lokadia Leeson, has to say about her experience in the Kaléo program this year:

At the Kaléo program grad reception last Friday

“Thank you to all the students, Camp Qwanoes staff, and various others who have encouraged me to pursue greater things and to seek (God’s) glory and joy… This year has been by far the best decision of my life…. From the encouragement and the support that I was surrounded with along with the deepening of faith through academics and community I could not be more blessed…. You helped me find the joy in my life that I was missing for so long and in that see how great that joy is and allow it to impact every area of my life.”

 

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Adult Retreats, Camp Staff, Leadership Training

Loving Springtime

A look at our students' outdoor rock climbing excursion in Nanaimo last week

Today, we are celebrating the graduation of our students in the Kaléo program for 2012/13! We want to give a huge congratulations to them for completing our 8-month foundational leadership college program, offered in partnership with Briercrest College and Seminary.

Getting ready to head out on the Sky Station for the very first time!

New Sky Station In Action!

On Wednesday a group of staff had the privilege of trying out our brand-new Sky Station in the challenge course for the very first time, as our instructor training took place.

Reaching higher... heading up to adventure on Level 2 of our Sky Station for the first time

The Sky Station, inspired by the legend and spirit of our Screamer & Skyscraper, gives  you the chance to climb way up and then zig-zag and criss-cross the heights on what may seem like endless challenges! You can find out more about it and our other new activities for summer 2013 here.

Qwanoes recreation leadership staff trying out Level 2 of the Sky Station

Coming Up…

  • April 30: Advance Crew Begins! All of us on the year-round staff team are very excited to welcome our first members of Advance Crew this coming week. During Advance Crew, the foundations for summer  2013 will be laid as this vital group of leaders is involved in all aspects of getting ready for the summer and working with pre-summer guest groups.
  • May 3-5: Spring Women’s Retreat. Experience the perfect break from the everyday! Enjoy freedom from responsibilities, excellent meals, and a great program planned with your needs in mind. Our speaker will be Tina Ury of Seattle. Details & to register.
  • May 3-5: Challenge Course Instructor Training Workshop. This workshop is designed for those who would like to serve in a dynamic high-adventure setting. More info here. Call or email us to register – space is limited (priority to summer staff applicants age 17 & up).

Quote Of The Week

Here’s what one of our students, Levi Allen, has to say about his experience in the Kaléo program this year:

“This has been the most shaping and formative year of my entire life and I know many others here have experienced the same growth. This program is set up to help you grow at a rate I wouldn’t have ever thought possible.”

We’re loving springtime here at Camp Qwanoes and look forward to seeing many of you here in the days ahead!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

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

Adventures On The Mountain & In The City!

Mt. Washington Snow Trip

Last week was a wonderful week on the mountain for the Qwanoes students in our Kaléo program! The week was full of skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing adventures. I was very fortunate as I got to go up myself on Wednesday to be with the students and join in the fun. Here is an excerpt from the Kaléo program blog:

At Mt. Washington last week!

“Nights also brought some really special times as we had the opportunity to get to spend some amazing bonding time together. Some nights were spent encouraging each other, and some were spent talking about what God is doing. I can truly say that one of the hugest benefits of this trip is how close it makes us as a group. We can truly see the bonding and closeness being magnified after this trip. I think we definitely grew together with the quality time we were able to spend.”

To read about the whole experience, see pictures and hear about other happenings in our Kaléo leadership  college program, please visit the blog! The students put together a great video of their time on the ski hill as well.

Missions Fest Vancouver

I’m on the ferry right now with a group of Qwanoes staff heading over to Missions Fest in downtown Vancouver! It’s a fantastic weekend of connecting with lots of past, current, and future staff and campers. If you don’t know what Missions Fest is, you can visit their website and get lots of good information. Basically, it’s lots and lots of people coming together and sharing about what God is doing all over the world!

We hope to see you at Missions Fest this weekend!

Our camp display is right in the middle of the big exhibit hall under the sails in the Vancouver Convention Centre, so be sure to stop by and see the new “Right Here, Right Now” video and 2013 theme song on our very large flat screen TV!

Coming Up…

Summer staff team 2013 – Right now we’re in the season of actively building our summer 2013 staff team! We are so excited for all that’s ahead and who will be on the team. The building of our team takes place in a number of ways from visiting colleges near and far, to connecting with past staff, and to people like you letting your friends know about Qwanoes! If you want more information on how to share the Qwanoes summer staff opportunity with someone, a great place to start is right on our website at www.qwanoes.ca. Last weekend a couple of Qwanoes staff  members made a fun little video while at a camp fair at Briercrest College & Seminary in Saskatchewan! It was very cold, especially for one of our staff members from Brazil! Check it out, you will love this! 

There is no better place for you to be on Feb. 1-2!

LiftOff Getaway Weekend – This will be an awesome weekend of going up to Mt. Washington! But this time it’s our campers and youth groups turn. There is no better place for you to be on Feb 1-2 than the LIFTOFF Getaway Weekend in Campbell River and at Mt. Washington! Vancouver Island youth groups and Camp Qwanoes are coming together for a one night adventure that includes a giant night game, music with Qwanoes’ band Quixotic, a challenge from a speaker, a pool invasion, a pizza party, plus skiing, snowboarding or tubing at Mt. Washington and more! Visit www.liftoff.ca for more info.

“Escape To Summer Now” contest winner to be announced next week – There’s just one week left in our “Escape To Summer Now” contest! Thanks to everyone that has registered for summer camp and entered the contest so far! You still have time to enter for a chance to win two round-trip flights to Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, or Jamaica! The prize draw will be made on Feb. 1 during our “LiftOff Getaway” event. 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!)

~ Written by Jay Kennedy, Qwanoes’ Assistant Director

 

 

 

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

Qwanoes Happenings Here And Far Away

Men’s Retreat On Now

Our annual Men’s Retreat is on at Qwanoes right now! It started on Friday night when about 100 men descended on the camp. Mark Buchanan, author and pastor at New Life church in Duncan is the main speaker. The theme for the weekend is “One Thing.” It has been a powerful time together discovering what our “one thing” is and how it should be impacting our lives. The worship band from The Meeting Place church in Nanaimo has joined us for the weekend, and they are doing a fantastic job leading everyone in song.

Enjoying breakfast together at the Men's Retreat

I just got back from walking around the camp, checking out what everyone is up to. It is an incredible day here, with the sun shining so bright, and clear blue skies up above. There are guys enjoying the hot tub, cooking S’mores at the fireside overlooking the ocean, playing floor hockey, and of course hanging from ropes and swings in the Challenge Course!

I asked a few of the men what their favourite things are about being at Qwanoes for the Men’s Retreat, and this is what one gentleman had to say: “I love the fellowship and just being with my friends having fun at camp. It is so great to just get away and think about the things that truly matter in life.”

The retreat still has lots left with another great session together tonight, followed by a movie and games night including popcorn, chicken wings, and nachos!

Heading deeper into the cave!

Latest Kaléo Program Happenings

Our students are between classes right now, having had their Foundation of Church Ministry course a week ago and with Gospels coming up next week. Just a couple of days ago they all went on a caving adventure together where they truly discovered how dark darkness can really be! Check out the Kaléo program blog for the latest journeys of our Qwanoes students.

Birthday Surprises!

Anna and Byron, two of our Qwanoes staff members, have been up and down the Island lately and all over Greater Vancouver! Why, you ask? Well it has been all about visiting campers and summer staff, and celebrating some past campers’ birthdays with a surprise party – that’s right, Qwanoes style!

Anna & Bryon celebrating with Gabby at MEI in Abbotsford!

We’ve shown up at a couple of schools that our campers attend (with permission of course) having some games planned, Live It Up balloons, and a giant birthday cake along with us. We’ve made sure to gather a bunch of people who sing happy birthday while tossing the lucky camper up in the air, just like what happens at Qwanoes… and it has been one great birthday surprise! We miss our campers so much when they aren’t at camp, so we love to think up all sorts of reasons to visit them and let them know we’re thinking of them!

Qwanoes in Brazil 

A gathering of Qwanoes staff-alumni in Brazil on Nov. 20

Our Qwanoes staff family can be found all over the world, and one country in particular we have a lot of staff that join us for a season is Brazil!  Right now we have two Qwanoes staff members, Kevin and Mel Way and their little daughter Rose, reconnecting with alumni staff and meeting new ones who will be on our summer staff team in 2013. Mel, Kevin, and Rose are experiencing all sorts of adventures and even visiting summer camps in Brazil, seeing how they do camp down there!

Merry Christmas from Qwanoes!

Christmas is getting closer and that means the announcement of the summer 2013 theme is right around the corner! Be sure you are following us on Twitter and Facebook to be the first ones to hear what it is! Russ (“The Squirrel”) was in the studio all last week coming up with the new theme song!

~ Written by Jay Kennedy, Qwanoes’ Assistant 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