Summer 2013 | this week @ qwanoes

Staff Retreat - New Years Fireworks — 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.

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.

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

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.

Qwanoes Men's Retreat — 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!

Qwanoes Kaleo Program Caving — 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!

Gabby's Qwanoes Birthday Surprise — 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

Qwanoes Staff 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