Tag Archives: Summer Camps BC

Events, Social Media, Summer Camp

Escape To Summer Now Is Back!

Qwanoes Triple Biscuit.JH2.13
On the Triple Biscuit in summer 2013!

Summer is coming to Camp Qwanoes, and registration begins on January 3rd. Plans are well underway for an incredible summer. Just imagine it… blue sky, hot summer days, kids laughing, flying through the air on the SkyScraper, boats cutting through glassy seas, Moose Tracks cones, “Salt Spring Sunrise” shave ice, 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!Qwanoes EscapeToSummerNow 2014

ANNOUNCING: Qwanoes “Escape To Summer Now” Contest Is Back For 2014!

We had so much fun with this contest last year that we just had to bring it back. You could win two round-trip flights on WestJet  to Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, or Jamaica!

How Do I Enter? Register in January for a week of summer camp at Camp Qwanoes 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 most likely during our Qwanoes “LiftOff Getaway” event in Campbell River/Mt. Washington from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1. 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 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 2014 Qwanoes summer camp. If you register more than one child, you will be entered for each one you register.

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!)

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

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 early! We also love having fun – and helping others have fun. We are SO EXCITED for summer 2014 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, Camp Staff, Events, Q-Town & Music, Social Media, Summer Camp

Just Loved Life Here Today

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.

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

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

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…

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, 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, 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

 

 

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

 

 

Camp Staff, Summer Camp

Share Life Like No Other This Summer!

Are you 15 or turning 15 this year? Have you looked forward for years to when you will be old enough to serve on staff at Qwanoes?

You’re invited to join the team!

Qwanoes invites those who are 15 (or who will be 15 by Dec. 31, 2012) to apply for one special week of  Operations Support Crew and serve in a vital food services role (dishwashing, dining room set- up, etc). Leaders will offer you spiritual discipleship and there will be opportunities to assist in the camp program.

Reach for more this summer!

If you’re coming on staff as a 15 year-old, you will be part of the first weekend of Staff Training in late June. During this weekend, you’ll learn more about the heart of Qwanoes and what it means to be part of the staff team. You can choose the week in the summer you’d like to join us on staff except for Youth Camp (note that some weeks may fill so please apply soon). See Staff Opportunity For 15 Year-Olds for more info.

Whether you’ve been a camper before or not, see what camp ministry is all about and enjoy the friendship and support of other staff! You’ll be encouraged and challenged to grow closer to God and as the leader God has called you to be. Discover more about living and sharing life like no other this summer and put your faith into action!

~ 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

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Fun At Qwanoes In December!

Things don’t really slow down too much at Qwanoes in December! Here’s a quick glimpse into what’s been going on for the past week or so…

Your cow apron is looking good, Alberto!

At the end of last week, we had our Qwanoes staff Christmas party for all the year-round staff and families. After enjoying a great dinner out together, we all headed back to Russ & Michelle Smith’s home for yummy desserts, Christmas carols, and a fun gift exchange. The most traded-for item of the night was a Disney Scene-It game with Buzz Lightyear on the front – our Executive Director Scott Bayley had it twice but lost it in the end! Gifts also included a “cow & flowers” apron, Duck Shoot game, and the Justin Bieber Christmas ornament that ended up on the Squirrel’s (a.k.a. Russ) Christmas tree!

A few staff members were noticeably absent from the Christmas party – but for a very good reason because a very special wedding was happening the very next day! On Saturday, Dec. 3rd, two of Qwanoes’ year-round staff members, Chris (Staff Team Coordinator) and Alicia (Registrar) were married. After their honeymoon, we look forward to welcoming them back to Qwanoes as they start out on their married life together. We wish you the very best, Chris and Alicia!

Congratulations, Chris & Alicia!

Also last week, our students in the Kaléo program took their last course of the fall semester, Gospels, with Wes Olmstead from Briercrest College. Through the fall the students have been receiving quality Christian college education and leadership training, experiencing outdoor adventures, and taking part in ministry in camp, local churches, and in the area. It is so great having all of them as part of the community at Qwanoes! A couple of days ago, staff and students enjoyed a delicious Christmas turkey dinner together in the Qwanoes dining hall followed by a talent show in Club Coco. We’re excited that the students are coming up to the halfway point in their year and we look forward to seeing them back here in January.

A peek at our students in class with Wes Olmstead.

 

It is only 25 more days until registration begins for 2012!! Right now, we’re working hard to make sure that the new summer 2012 brochure, new poster, new staff and CIT application brochures, and all the other new stuff is ready to go. New activities and events are being planned, new music is being written and recorded, shirt colours are being picked, and logos are being designed.

We can’t wait to launch our 2012 theme and to start to take summer registrations on January 3rd!

 

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Very special guests visit Qwanoes!!

Juniors campers love Qwanoes!  “I’d rather spend one day at Qwanoes than a whole week at Disney World” said one of our 2010 Juniors campers.

Now that's an excited camper pumped for the viking night game!

There is nothing quite like seeing the face of a young camper light up when you announce that there will be a night game tonight!  Last night the campers came together in Q-Town and were rallied together by their team leaders and Greylock as it was time to jump into a late night adventure! What a night as campers scoured the camp on the hunt for tablets and the missing crown, all the while evading capture by the viking protectors. It was a night to remember, and memories that will last a lifetime!

Campers having fun with the NEW Battle Top Arena in Club Coco!

Right now it’s activity time at Qwanoes and campers are in the trees, down in the water and what do my ears hear? Oh it’s Club Coco of course!  I hear the sounds of campers yelling 1-2-3!! And the Battle Tops head into the arena for a battle to see which top will be left standing! I just asked Harry, Stuart,Ethan what they thought of the new game as they played with one of our Camp Grandpas, and they all said “AWESOME!!!”There are so many activities to do at Qwanoes… it’s a good thing camp is 6 nights and 7 days long!

We had a big surprise at Qwanoes the other day as some very special guests rolled into camp.  It was the African Children’s Choir!  We were so glad that they could make a special stop at camp.  We of course had to welcome them like we do all our campers! With fireworks and an arch of raised hands as they came off the bus!  Many of them had never seen a camp like Qwanoes before, so it was such a joy to see them playing soccer, enjoying a good game of dodge ball and checking out the waterfront.  At Tuck time they got into their special African dress and did an amazing performance for all our Juniors Campers right on the qrok deck! What a sight to see all these kids dancing, drumming and singing in their native African language.  All our campers were mesmerized and enjoyed Tuck time with a very unique and special show that was just for them!  Thanks African Children’s Choir for visiting on your way through!  I will never forget the little African boy by Club Coco singing “Oh, oh, oh on the island”!

Amongst all the excitement and fun at camp, there is some pretty awesome life changes that are happening in the lives of our campers! Yesterday we learnt  how Out Of This World God really is, but at the same time he still wants to have a personal relationship with us! Now that’s Out Of This World!

Two more days of Juniors Camp left, it’s going to be awesome! And then we will soon be welcoming Juniors Camp #2!

African Children's Choir makes a special stop at Qwanoes!

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A BIG thanks and Qwanoes OPEN HOUSE this Saturday!

A BIG thanks goes out to all those who were a part of our Family Work Weekend and Qwanoes Day of Prayer! Everywhere I look you can see the evidence of the hard working team who helped get Qwanoes even more ready for the summer.

Gathering up in the morning to start our day in prayer.

Saturday was a very BIG day as more than 225 people gathered at our fireside to start off the day in prayer. Normally when you sit at the fireside everyone faces towards the centre, but not this time! We all gathered in a circle and looked out at other parts of Qwanoes and visualized all our campers around camp. We lifted up prayers on everything we were looking at and visualizing, from campers on the blob, playing in the carpetball hut, lining up for a meal, heading over to Q-Town, to running of those buses! What a great way to get focused for the day and why we are all here!

Lots of painting happened during the day!

From there teams poured out all over Qwanoes to tackle many, MANY projects in getting ready for the summer! To name just a few… staining of the new Huckleberry Hideout bathroom, doubling the size of our carpetball hut, clearing the weeds around the stairs to the beach, adding another row to our fireside, painting tables, creating the summer kitchen, weeding the volleyball court, cleaning chairs & windows, spreading wood chips in the challenge course, cleaning cabins, cleaning buses, and the list could go on and on! As you can imagine everyone was exhausted by the end, but it was a fabulous day of serving the Lord together at Qwanoes!

Praying at one of the Sky Ridge Cabins.

We ended the day right back at the fireside in prayer just as we started, rejoicing in all that was accomplished! We then walked around Qwanoes praying at different areas together about what God is going to do this summer. The day wasn’t over yet! Next was a delicious dinner, family games, a great fireside with S’mores and finally ending our night with video highlights of our day in Q-Town! Thank you to all those who came out and joined the team!

Come and see for yourself! This Saturday is the annual Qwanoes OPEN HOUSE! Grab you sunscreen & bathing suit and come on down to the Qwanoes beach! The whole waterfront is ready for you, from rocket rides to the giant slide! Or head into the forest and challenge a friend to a race down the “Screamer!” There is so much to do from the skateboard park, sports court, archery, climbing tower and more! We will even have a special OPEN HOUSE Q-Town just for you. There is no cost to the whole day, so come be our guest and join us for lunch and dinner too! All you need to do is let us know you are coming. Go online and get all the details, including transportation options for those on the mainland.

Experience Qwanoes Beach for yourself! Come be our guest!

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