Tag Archives: Qwanoes Beach

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

Just Loved Life Here Today

July 26, 2013 Julie

Qwanoes Rockin Roll JH3 — Flying in the air on the Rockin' Roll at Qwanoes Beach!

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

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

Qwanoes Skateboarding JH3 — Performing the "Airwalk" at Qwanoes' skatepark

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

Quotes Of The Week

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

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

Qwanoes CC Wishbone Walkway JH3 — Helping one another conquer the Wishbone Walkway in the challenge course

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

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

Qwanoes Summer 2013 Photo Galleries — Check out our Summer Photo Galleries page (link on right)

See More Pictures

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

Coming Up…

Qwanoes Sign Deer — A deer by our "Welcome To Qwanoes" sign!

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

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

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

It Means The World To Me

July 19, 2013 Julie

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

Qwanoes J1 Blobbee — Being blobbed at Qwanoes Beach during Juniors #1!

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

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

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

Quotes Of The Week

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

Qwanoes J1 Singing In Q-Town — Singing together on piggy-back in Q-Town

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

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

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

What Is qrok.ca?

Qwanoes Summer qrok Show.J1 — The qrok Tower is a popular spot to hang out while the Squirrel DJ's some music!

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

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

Coming Up…

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

Qwanoes Welcome J1 — Welcoming our Juniors #1 campers to Qwanoes last Saturday

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

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

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

What A Summer!

September 18, 2012 Julie

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!

Camper Girls & Boy By qrok — 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!

Staff & Students Group Photo — 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.

Red Team With Boxes — 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!!

Q-Town Blur.IMG_7946 — 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, Camp Staff, Events, Leadership Training, Q-Town & Music, Summer Camp

Living It Up Each Day

July 27, 2012 Julie

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.”

Russ Qwanoes — 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!

Qwanoes starwood — 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.

Qwanoes sinks — 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

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

It All Begins TODAY!

June 30, 2012 Julie

Here at Qwanoes we’ve just completed Staff Training and we can’t wait to welcome our first campers of the summer this afternoon!

Welcome - Bus High Fives — Welcoming campers to Qwanoes in summer 2011 - 1st summer 2012 welcome happening today!!

Jr. High #1 begins today and campers are on our their way to camp right now.

Some Facts About Staff Training 2012…

• About 185 leaders have been part of Staff Training this past week. Those in attendance included a full range of ages from high school students and 2012 grads to our much-loved Food Purchaser Norm Cardiff (who turns 80 today!!).

• The staff team bravely got in the water at Qwanoes Beach last Saturday (on a not-so-nice weather day) and learned how to do a water search in case someone ever goes missing at the waterfront.

• Staff training included taking everyone to Central Baptist in Victoria on Sunday morning followed by an afternoon of team-building in a park by the ocean.

• Randy Carter, a long-time speaker at Qwanoes, was our speaker for Staff Training. Randy was a big part of our week and he could be seen in afternoons working with crews painting where needed during Camp Prep!

• Sessions included Capturing A Vision, Activities In Action, Risk Management, Providing Quality Health Care, and much more.

Waterski Training 1 — Learning dryland training techniques during the Waterski/Wakeboard instructor training clinic.

• Over 25 activity clinics were offered over the course of the week – training staff how to lead everything from Challenge Course to Artrageous Crafts to Skateboarding to RC Speedway to Waterskiing/Wakeboarding and the other activities we offer.

• Our Quixotic music team led by Russ (the Squirrel) spent much time practicing Q-Town songs and getting ready for our first Surf-O-Rama Concert of the summer happening at Jr. High #1! What’s Surf-O-Rama?

• Our staff team this summer includes people from the United Kingdom (Ireland, Scotland, England), Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, Brazil, France, the United States, other countries, and of course Canada – all united for the purpose of loving kids to life!

Special Highlight Of Jr. High #1

Speaking of Canada, it’s Canada Day tomorrow and a special highlight of Jr. High #1 is a giant Canada Day party! We’ll be celebrating the day with all our campers and staff and look forward to blasting tunes from the qrok Tower, eating cake, and hopefully even seeing the sky light up!

School’s out and summer’s here… so let the fun begin!!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

Activities, Summer Camp

What…?

June 6, 2012 Julie

With 75 activities in the summer at Qwanoes, it’s a challenge to choose what to do! But it just got even harder!

Yes, it’s true – we’re already adding LOTS for this summer. At Qwanoes Beach… Paddle Surfing, a Freefall Slide, a brand-new Super Slide and Super Totter, an Aqua Rope Swing. Plus even more fun in Club Coco. There’s tons!

But now – there’s one more brand-new choice! …Ready?

Debuting summer 2012 is Qwanoes RC Speedway!

What…? Yes, we’re adding high-end, high-action outdoor super-sized RC car racing! Join a friend and race against four other teams at the same time! Each car is over two feet long – “this ain’t no Mario Cart video game” – these cars are real, fast, and built for racing!

Think you have the skills? Well – put them to the test against all your friends and the rest of the camp. Don’t even think of googling for the cheat codes… ’cause there are none. Just you, your pit-crew partner, and the track.

At Qwanoes we always seek to make a week at camp one of the greatest weeks ever in the lives of our campers! Around here there is always more fun and always new adventures every year. No summer is ever the same at Camp Qwanoes!

Come and experience Qwanoes’ RC Speedway for yourself. We can’t wait to welcome you!

See more about our new activities for summer 2012 here.

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

Events, Family Programs

Opportunities For Families In May & June

May 18, 2012 Julie

Escape to the great outdoors… connect with God, your family, and others! Make memories that will last. There are many exciting ways for families to be involved at Camp Qwanoes during May and June.

Spring Family Retreat Is Here!

Starting later today as this May long weekend begins, families are going on an adventure together at our Spring Family Retreat! As I write, I can hear Russ and our band, Quixotic, practicing our new summer theme song, Live It Up, and our events team is outside in front of Club Coco getting ready for all the fun (and crazy) family times.

Families In Pile — Special (& crazy) family times

The final touches are being put on the children’s and youth programs and the activities (including some Qwanoes Beach activities!) are ready to go. We look forward to holding our very first Surf-O-Rama carnival of many to come this summer! Now we just need our Family Retreat guests!

Family Work Weekend… Go On A Family Missions Trip!

Two weeks later on June 1-3 is Qwanoes’ Family Work Weekend. This is a great opportunity to serve together and experience Qwanoes all in one weekend – and there is no cost! This special weekend includes all ages working together on Saturday to help prepare the camp for the summer season, our special “Day of Prayer” program, a family fun event and fireside Saturday evening, and a Q-Town Sunday morning.

Be part of preparing the camp for an exciting summer season of ministry! Your efforts will help create the best possible environment for high-impact ministry to take place. See Family Work Weekend for more info and to register.

Aubrey Smiling In Air — All ages welcome!

Everyone’s Invited To Our Open House!

On Saturday, June 9… grab your suntan lotion, pack your swim suit, load up your family and friends, and prepare for a special day of adventure at our annual Open House! There’s something for everyone… Qwanoes Beach activities (including the Aqua-Park and Waterskiing/Wakeboarding), the Challenge Course, our world-class concrete skate park and other land activities, children’s activities, and many more options for all ages.

Meals are provided! Enjoy lunch and a barbeque dinner, both at no cost. The day will conclude with music, singing, testimonies, and thanksgiving at a special pre-summer Q-Town. We’d love to welcome you!

Don’t Miss Our 2nd-Ever Summer Family Retreat!

Our first Summer Family Retreat last June was a huge success and we are very excited to be offering families this opportunity once again. From June 15-17 (with a Jumpstart Option on June 14), families are invited to spend an early summer getaway together at Qwanoes!

QB - Q Beach From Air Facing Ski Dock — Qwanoes Beach open at Summer Family Retreat

This special weekend features the program, food (and no clean up!), speaker for the adults, and great extras like complimentary evening babysitting that families love – AND it also features a full range of activities at Qwanoes Beach! We look forward to celebrating the start of summer with all of you! For details and to register, click here.

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director