Choosing a West Coast Kids Camp

April-May 1998

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

by Jack Rosen and Candace Snow

What do we do with our children during those long days of summer?

New adventures, new friends

It would be great if we could put aside all other obligations and devote two months to just having fun with our kids- camping, swimming, kayaking:.. Time is a most crucial element in this fast paced life; we never seem to have enough of it including quality time for family recreation. The reality of the situation is that we cannot stop the hands of time and for most of us, taking the summer off work and setting aside other commitments is pretty much impossible.

This scenario may very well have prompted the popularity of summer camps for youth-a safe place where parents can send their children to experience adventures, have fun, learn new skills and make friends. Camps have been around a long time. Even my parents went to camp in their youth, so it was definitely a given that I did as well. Throughout my youth I attended several camps in the lake country of northern Ontario. They were great fun arid some of those campers I met are still good friends to this very day!

How do we decide if summer camp is a good option for our child? To answer this, we must initially ask ourselves some basic questions and make some personal observations. Is the child even remotely interested in attending camp? If so, what sorts of activities would be appealing and appropriate considering the individual's personality and pastimes? Are we, as parents, ready to have our child be away from home for the duration? Do we trust them to be on their own? For those attending sleep-over camp for the first time, the adjustments can be crucial for both parents and children. Perhaps day camps would be the best option for the younger child or one who has serious qualms about being away from their family. It is important when discussing options with our children that we talk about camp as a happy, positive adventure. Although there may be some exceptions as well as initial fear and hesitation, generally speaking, kids love their camp experience.

Whether they are in residential camps with cabins and a mess hall or one with a wilderness camping orientation, summer camps provide youth with the experience of community living in an outdoor setting. The list of skills and activities that they learn and participate in is lengthy and varies with each particular camp. The overall theme is generally the same-groups of similar aged youths interacting with each other, learning new skills, accepting responsibility, developing self-esteem, nurturing friendships and above all, having fun!

So now we know that yes, camp sounds like a good plan for our particular child. What now? The B.C. Camping Association is a great place to start. They put out a directory of camps that have undergone their careful scrutiny and been given a stamp of approval. Their address is B.C.C.A., 3302 Senkler Road, Belcarra, B.C. V3h3S3 and their phone # is 604 931-6449.

Secondly, speak with other parents whose children have recently attended camp. They may have some valuable first hand information. Also check with activity coordinators at local community centres and gather some literature. Magazines such as B.C. Parent and Island Parent have special features on camps in their spring issues as do local newspapers. Very often a camp will have an open house or offer a slide presentation. Do some research! Ask questions not just to others but to yourself. Is a particular camp philosophy in tune with your values and require menu? Do you feel comfortable with the background and experience of camp directors? What about leadership abilities and qualifications of camp counsellors? Would they be suitable role models for your child? It is important for camp leaders to be mature and competent guides who can supervise and teach campers with skill and with safety in mind. An environment should exist where individuals feel accepted by the group and good about themselves. The best way to address many of these questions is to communicate with camp directors.

If chosen correctly camp will be a wonderful, exciting adventure for a child. It will help develop their personality and increase their awareness of who they are. They will value the new skills they have learned, those they have improved on and the friendships that were formed. In fact, they may very well want to go back year after year! Ah to be a kid again!

Jack Rosen and Candace Snow run an outdoor adventure company called Island Escapades and co-ordinates wilderness camps for youth ages 10-16 years old. The philosophy stresses personal growth and skill acquisition in outdoor settings that are beautiful & inspiring. It is a small group experience with each camp limited to 12. Kayaking, climbing, canoeing, hiking and mountaineering are just a few of the exciting activities at the camp. Island Escapades 1-888-KAYAK-67. Email: escapades@saltspring.com