Tag Archives: Leadership Training

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

 

 

 

Activities, Adult Retreats, Camp Staff, Family Programs, Leadership Training

Best Time Ever

Our Spring Family Retreat is on Right Here, Right Now! And in less than one hour, our brand-new Sky Station will be opening to guests at Qwanoes for the very first time! No matter where you are on this May long weekend, we hope you’re enjoying it.

Sid Koop speaking at our Young Adults Retreat

A Great Place To Come Together 

Last weekend, we had young adults from a number of different places in Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island come together for an amazing weekend away. Our speaker for the Young Adults Retreat was Sid Koop of Truth Matters Ministries who has been speaking to youth and young adults for more than a decade across Canada including at Qwanoes. We look forward to welcoming Sid back to speak at Staff Training in June and at our Jr. High #1 camp from June 29 to July 5!

Counselor Training Seminar participants in Qwanoes' Staff Lounge

Also last weekend we had our CIT Challenge Course Instructor Training Workshop, LIT (Leader-In-Training) Training Weekend, and Counselor Training Seminar. The place was filled with high school students and young adults preparing to serve in key roles on our summer staff team and gaining valuable leadership training and experience. Click here for more information about all our  leadership training programs and opportunities.

Coming Up…

• May 24-26: Staff Leadership Orientation. On this weekend, those serving in staff leadership roles at Qwanoes this summer will come together for a vital time of team-building and to be better-equipped  for all that is coming in the exciting weeks ahead. We’ll be looking at the vision and goals of Qwanoes and keys to success as leaders. Plus we’ll be seeking to lay the foundations for kids to experience life like no other this summer!

CIT's trying to fit around one table last weekend!

• May 31-June 2: Family Work Weekend. This is a perfect opportunity for your family to serve together and experience Qwanoes all in one weekend – and there is no cost! Details & to register.

• May 31-June 2: Waterski/Wakeboard Instructor Training Workshop. This workshop is designed to help you develop skills that will enable you to coach waterskiing and wakeboarding—including lots of practical experience. More info here. Call or email us to register – space is limited (priority to summer staff applicants age 17 & up).

Quotes Of The Week

“CIT is the best experience of my life!”  ~ CIT, summer 2012

“Had the best time ever at camp qwanoes i wish i could have stayed there forever.” ~ camper, summer 2012

“I just spoke with my son…who had just left Camp today and told me it was one of the best weeks of his life!” ~ father of camper, summer 2012

Summer is coming! Hope to see you here!

There’s STILL SPACE AVAILABLE in all camps. Register now!

 

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Adult Retreats, Camp Staff, Events, Family Programs, Leadership Training, Social Media, Summer Camp

Having The Time Of My Life

Enjoying time together at the SkyScraper at the Women's Retreat this past weekend!

So much is happening once again at Qwanoes this weekend!

A whole bunch of high school students and young adults are heading this way as our Young Adults’ Retreat begins this evening, as well as the CIT Challenge Course Instructor Training Workshop and the LIT Pre-Summer Training Weekend.

The Countdown In On 

The countdown to summer 2013 is on and today is 50 more days until Jr. High #1 begins!

Qwanoes campers cheering for Canada during the London Olympics last summer. We look forward to bringing out our flags once again for Canada Day!

Registrations for summer continue to pour in – maybe the super-sunny, warm weather we enjoyed this whole past week is making everyone realize how close summer really is. The good news is that there’s STILL SPACE AVAILABLE in all camps so now would be a great time to register!

Speaking of Jr. High #1, did you know that this week of camp from June 29 to July 5 for 12-14 year-old’s is summer’s best value at Qwanoes? Jr. High #1 features the lowest prices of any of our Jr. High camps, even though it has everything offered at all the other camps – plus there will be a giant Canada Day party with fireworks!

Here’s a tiny glimpse of what it was like to be at our Canada Day celebration in 2012…

 

Coming Up… 

Training to be instructors last weekend at the Challenge Course Workshop.

• May 17-20: Spring Family Retreat. Families are invited to go on a memorable weekend adventure together this May long weekend! You will experience a well-rounded program with something for everyone in your family. A special feature is that we’re going to be opening our brand-new Sky Station to our guests for the very first time! We’ll even be having our first Billy Blue’s Western Carnival featuring “Challenge the Duck Hunt,” “Them’s A Snake In My Boot,” and much more. We really look forward to having Paul Johnson, the Lead Pastor at South Delta Baptist Church, as our speaker for the weekend. We’d love to have you and your family join us. Details and to register.

Thanks to the youth group from Ladner Baptist that helped with pre-summer work projects last weekend!

• May 24-26: Staff Leadership Orientation. On this weekend, those serving in staff leadership roles at Qwanoes this summer will come together for a vital time of team-building and to be better-equipped  for all that is coming in the exciting weeks ahead. We’ll be looking at the vision and goals of Qwanoes and keys to success as leaders. Plus we’ll be seeking to lay the foundations for kids to experience life like no other this summer!

Quotes Of The Week

“Loved experiencing my first Canada day with incredible people at Camp Qwanoes…” ~ International Jr. High #1 staff member on Facebook, July 2012

“…back from the best week of my life at Camp Qwanoes.” ~ Jr. High #1 camper on Twitter, July 2012

“…got home from camp @Qwanoes last night. had an amazing time. i recommend it to everyone.” ~ Jr. High #1 camper on Twitter, July 2012

“Having the greatest time of my life at Camp Qwanoes!!!” ~ Jr. High #1 staff member on Facebook, July 2012

‘Like’ Qwanoes on Facebook or  ‘Follow’ us on Twitter!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Adult Retreats, Leadership Training

Congratulations To Our Students!

Kaléo Program Grad

There’s a lot of excitement mixed with sadness at Qwanoes today as the Kaléo program for 2011/12 is coming to a close! Today is the last full day of the program and the graduation ceremony and banquet is happening tomorrow. It is a beautiful blue-sky day outside as parents and friends of the students are arriving. Take a quick peek into the last week of the program in the latest post – “Scaling the heights of truth” – on the Kaléo 2012 program blog. At Qwanoes, we’re very proud of our students and are very excited to see what’s ahead for each one! Time to celebrate!

Pausing for a group photo on a rock climbing adventure!

Women’s Retreat

Coming up in just two weeks is our Spring Women’s Retreat! Many are already signed up, but there’s still room for more. Women are invited to escape to the great outdoors and connect with God and others.

Krista Penner

Features include music and our guest speaker Krista Penner, Saturday morning workshops, excellent meals including a banquet, great free time options, activity options including the Challenge Course, an on-site hot tub, and even a special Chemainus Theatre option. Click here for full details on this weekend and to register.

In the words of someone coming to the retreat: “I am so excited to attend my second ladies retreat at the end of April! The 2011 Spring Retreat was soooo much fun!”

Challenge Course Workshop

The same weekend as the Women’s Retreat, we are going to be running our Challenge Course Workshop  – part of our pre-summer training series – for anyone at least age 17 (by the end of the year) that would love to serve in this dynamic high-adventure setting.

There's nothing quite like the SkyScraper!

Those attending will learn to lead rock-wall climbing and ropes course activities, while having lots of fun and making new friends.

It is truly rewarding to offer challenges to people of all ages that will build their self-confidence, communication, problem-solving, and team-work abilities. No previous experience is necessary! Please contact the Staffing Team if you’d like to take part.

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Events, Leadership Training

An Epic Battle

An extraordinary event happened last week in Pacific Woods Lodge! Find out more…

Pacific Woods Lodge A Battleground?!

Welcome to Pacific Woods Lodge!

Ever wondered what life is like living at Camp Qwanoes? Sometimes life is quite out of the ordinary! Last week, Pacific Woods Lodge was transformed into a battlefield, using couches as barriers and stairwells as tactical positions. Even the visiting professor from Briercrest College, teaching our students in the Kaléo program, got involved! See what happened in all the crazy photos on A Day In The Life At Camp Qwanoes.

LiftOff, Skiing & Snowboarding!

This past Friday and Saturday, Qwanoes partnered once again with churches on Vancouver Island for LiftOff… an adventure that included music, Qwanoes’ 2012 slideshow, a night game on the streets of Campbell River, skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Washington, and more! We invite you to take a look at the Live It Up 2012 Mini-Slideshow for yourself!

Be Trained As A Leader In Summer’s Most Exciting Place

Are you trying to figure out what to do this summer? Do you love the outdoors and all the high-energy activities that are part of camp? Do you want to learn, interact with others, reach out to kids, and be challenged to grow spiritually and personally?

The Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Program at Qwanoes is a high-quality, entry-level leadership training program that introduces high school students to living and sharing life like no other in Christ. You will develop skills in leadership and ministry that will be valuable for the rest of your life!

In the words of  a CIT graduate: “”I just have to say that CIT was the most amazing and life-changing experience of my entire life.”

Experience solid training, spiritual growth, lifelong friendships and great times! And what better setting to get this training than camp—summer’s most exciting place!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes Associate Program Director