Frequently
Asked
Questions

🗓 Joining the Camp Experience

Registration for Summer 2026, along with our 2026 Family Retreats and 60th Anniversary Open House, opened on January 5, 2026 at 9:00 am.

Registration opened simultaneously for everyone.

👉 Spots are still available in many camps — you can view current availability here.

Registration for Summer 2027, along with our 2027 Family Retreats and Open House, will open on Saturday, January 2, 2027 at 9:00 am.

👉 Add a reminder to your calendar.

Registration opens simultaneously for everyone.

Choose your camp below to view current rates:

For leadership programs and retreats, please visit those pages in the main menu.

More and more kids are coming to Qwanoes every year — and we’re so thankful!
We’ve added many spots over the years, but some camps still fill up quickly and may have waiting lists. Click here to see current availability.

📅 Register early to avoid disappointment — especially for Youth Camp, which tends to fill up the fastest.

💙 If a camp has a waiting list, we’ll do everything possible to find a spot. If one opens up, we’ll even call families the same day before camp begins.

Our online registration system shows camp availability in real time. You’ll see right away which camps have space available and which are waitlisting, and you can select your preferred camp accordingly. Once you complete the registration process, you’ll receive an email confirmation indicating your child’s registration or placement on the waitlist.

Our registration system determines age based on December 31. This may prevent some camps your child is eligible for from appearing online (for example, if your child is the correct age during their camp week but has a birthday later in the year).

If this applies to your child, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help register them.

No — everyone is welcome.
We are a Christian camp and share biblical teaching, but no prior church experience is required.

Not at all. Qwanoes serves over 6,000 campers from a wide variety of backgrounds every year. Church experience isn’t required. We can’t wait to welcome your child!

Joining a waiting list means your camper’s spot is not currently available, but you’re in line if one opens up.

  • There is no cost to be placed on a waiting list
  • We’ll contact you as soon as a spot becomes available
  • Being on the list ensures you’ll receive next summer’s brochure in the mail and an email with info as soon as it’s ready

We truly want your child at Qwanoes and will do all we can to make that happen. Thanks for your patience!

There are still a few spots open, but some activity clubs may already be full and taking waitlists.

This means the camp is no longer accepting registrations—all spots and waitlists are full.

🏕 Cabin Life & Camper Essentials

Campers stay in forest cabins grouped by age.

  • No electricity (bring a flashlight)
  • Central washrooms with hot showers

All summer camps are co-ed, with separate male and female cabin villages.

  • Cabin counselors are the same gender as the campers
  • Males are not permitted in female villages and vice versa

We will do our best to honour cabinmate requests when:

  • Same camp session
  • Within ~12 months in age
  • Both campers request each other
  • Submitted at least 2 weeks in advance

Many campers come without requests and still make amazing new friends!

Click here to go to our dedicated packing list page.

👉 Most important: label every item clearly with your child’s name.

🚐 Drop-Off, Pick-Up & Transportation

We have different processes for Mainland and Island campers.

👉 Please visit our Getting to Camp page for full instructions.

Campers will:

  • Check in
  • Meet their counselors
  • Move into cabins
  • Take a short swim test (if they have previously passed, they won’t need to take it again)
  • Eat dinner with their cabin group
  • Take part in First Night orientation
  • Play games to get to know their cabins
  • Take part in first Q-Town session
  • Receive Mug-Up (evening snack) before bedtime

🧭 Camp Activities & Requirements

Campers choose from over 75 activity options! All gear and safety equipment are provided. Activities range from water sports to archery, music, mountain biking, and more. Click here to learn more about all our activities.

At Qwanoes, we like to say “rain schmain!” — a little rain doesn’t stop the fun!

Most activities continue as normal, even in the rain. Occasionally, some activities may move indoors, but the program keeps going strong.

In the rare case of a thunderstorm, certain activities like the Challenge Course and Qwanoes Beach will pause for safety.

👉 Thankfully, rainy days are uncommon during the summer, and most days are sunny and warm!

All campers attending Juniors, Junior High, Youth, and SeaQuest camps are required to take a basic swim test to participate in most waterfront activities.

The test includes:

  • Swimming 20 metres from the dock and back

  • Treading water for 3 minutes

Campers are not forced to take the test, and if they don’t pass, they may try again the next day.

✅ Once a camper passes the test, they won’t need to take it again in future years — we keep it on record!

  • Wakeboarding/Kneeboarding – 8+
  • Challenge Course – 8+
  • Archery – 8+
  • Mountain Boarding – 8+
  • Guitar – 8+
  • Captain Q Screamer, Sky Station L3 & L4, Elevator (Top Platform) – 12+
  • Mountain Biking – 12+

🍽 Food Service & Dietary Needs

Campers enjoy hearty, home-style meals served family-style on our Promenade or Sky Decks, with stunning ocean views. We offer:

  • Vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free options
  • Nut-free kitchen (though some store items may contain traces)
  • Unfortunately, we do not offer a full vegan option

Please contact the registration team ahead of time to discuss dietary needs so we can accommodate as best as possible.

❤️ Health, Safety & Behaviour

All medication must:

  • Be in original packaging
  • Be placed in a labeled zip-lock bag
  • Be handed in at check-in

Our health care team will ensure it is administered properly.

👉 Medication may not be kept with campers and must be stored with our health care team.

We have a fully staffed Health Care Centre on site.

If a camper becomes sick:

  • They will be cared for immediately
  • Parents will be contacted if needed
  • Pickup may be required depending on the situation

Homesickness is normal, especially early in the week.

Our staff are experienced in helping campers adjust, and most settle in quickly.

👉 Encouragement from home can make a big difference — focusing on the positive helps campers stay engaged.

👉 Most campers adjust quickly and go on to have an amazing week.

  • On-site health care team: RNs, First Aid Attendants, Health Care Leader, Support Staff
  • AED-equipped health centre
  • Lifeguards certified by the National Lifeguard Service (NLS)
  • Local hospital (Cowichan District) – under 20 minutes away
  • Urgent care in Chemainus – 15 minutes away
  • Ambulance and local fire responder services nearby
  • Staff undergo criminal record checks and extensive pre-summer training
  • Qwanoes is accredited by the BC Camping Association

Qwanoes reserves the right to send campers home without refund for inappropriate behaviour. The safety and well-being of all guests is our top priority.

If a camper needs to leave early due to illness or other reasons, a parent or guardian will be responsible for pickup.

Please note that no refunds or fee adjustments are provided for early departures.

✉ Mail, Email & Phone Use

Yes! Send a message to your camper using our online form.

To send mail to your camper:

  • Mailing Address
    Camp Qwanoes
    (camper’s name)
    Box 250
    Crofton, BC  V0R 1R0

  • Mail takes 5–7 business days within BC.

There are public phones available for camper use when they’re not in activities. Calls are not permitted during late evenings. If your child calls with a concern, please call the camp office at 250-246-3014 so we can assist.

Please call our main office at 250-246-3014.

Our team will ensure your message is delivered and assist as needed.

💵 Tuck Shop & Spending Money

  • If your child already purchased the Triple Pack or isn’t interested in Summer Essentials: $30–$60
  • If they want to buy shirts, the video package, or other gear: $50–$75

Parents may add money anytime via the Qwanoes Online Registration Portal.

👉 Campers do not carry cash — all purchases are made through their Tuck Account.

We have six great options to choose from, located all around camp!

Tuck Shop: Chocolate bars, drinks, chips, frozen items, small candies, and more.

Beach Betty’s: T-shirts, hoodies, sweaters, water bottles, hats, stuffies, and much more!

Ice Cream Island: Choose from 10+ great icecream options. Served in a bowl or waffle cone, your choice.

Shave Ice Palace: Authentic Hawaiian shave ice. Optionally get your shave ice with a scoop of icecream.

Coco Hut: Milkshakes, smoothies, hot drinks, chocolate bars, cold drinks, and more.

Dockside Cantina:A selection of popular Tuck Shop items.

📜 Policies & Miscellaneous

Overnight Camps:

  • More than 8 weeks before camp: All but $85 refundable
  • Less than 8 weeks before camp: Only the $225 deposit is non-refundable
    (Retreats follow a 4-week rule with varying deposit amounts)

Please note:

  • No refunds once camp begins
  • No fee adjustments for late arrivals or early departures
  • No substitutions allowed

Campers must turn the minimum age by December 31, 2026, and not exceed the maximum age by the start of camp. For special requests, please contact our Registrar.

Final payment is due 7 days before your camper’s week begins.

  • Any remaining balance after this date will be charged to the payment method on file.
  • Campers with unpaid balances may not be able to check in until payment is received.

You can check your balance or make a payment anytime through the Qwanoes Online Registration Portal.

We encourage all items to be clearly labeled before camp.

👉 Due to the volume of items each week, unlabeled items are much more difficult to identify and return.

While we do our best to help locate lost items, Camp Qwanoes is not responsible for lost or damaged belongings.

Lost and found items are held for four weeks after camp. If something is left behind, please contact us as soon as possible.

👉 Any costs to return items are the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Yes! Download it via the Qwanoes Online Registration Portal, or email registrar@qwanoes.ca. You may qualify for a childcare tax benefit if your child is under 14.

Yes, Qwanoes is open year-round!
From school trips and youth retreats to church gatherings and community events, we’re here for it all. We offer accommodations, meals, activities, and more.

➡️ Explore our Rentals page for full details, and feel free to reach out to groups@qwanoes.ca with any questions.

Yes, we offer bikes and other equipment for sale each year. Visit this page or call us for details.

We value your privacy and follow the CSA Model Code for handling personal information. Your info is used only for ministry purposes and can be withdrawn at any time (though this may affect our ability to serve you).

🔒 View our full Privacy Policy for details.

💬 Still Have Questions?

We’re here to help ensure your camper’s experience is smooth and amazing.

📧 Email: registrar@qwanoes.ca
📞 Phone: 250-246-3014
🌐 Online: Qwanoes Online Registration Portal

Register Now!
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