Amazing Summer Camps You Should Know About!

Summer is almost here. That time of year when our kiddos will be ready to put their school books away and fill their backpacks full of snacks, sunscreen, bathing suits, and whatever else they need to accompany them on their adventures and explorations.

Though the featured summer camp choices in this story are by no means all inclusive of the wide variety that are offered province-wide, each camp provides so much opportunity for our kids to engage their minds and imaginations, learn new skills, while also building upon their social and emotional skills.

OVERNIGHT SUMMER CAMPS

Let’s start off with overnight summer camps as they have always been a highlight of summer break. Kids can spend a few nights to a few weeks diving into endless thrill seeking and social experiences – from water sports to ziplines, from nature hikes during the day to fun games, activities, and collaborative projects in the evenings. Of course, one unforgettable moment is the magic of sitting around the campfire and sharing songs and stories with youth leaders and new friends.

When considering an overnight summer camp, one option that I can share with you is my past family experience at Camp Qwanoes. I recall the special memories made here with my daughter and her entire daycare class. Laughter and conversations linger in my memory of shared cabins and meals and bus rides to beautiful outdoor spots where we embarked on many adventures on land and in water. Our evenings often ended with gatherings full of high energy youth music and stories. It was a wonderful shared family and community experience.

ANIMAL SUMMER CAMPS

Land or sea, kids love to pet, play with, and depending on the size and nature of the animals, possibly even ride, making for amazing memories and experiences that might not be offered to them in any other environment.

SEA ANIMALS

One place that offers endless opportunities for children to move through their progressive programs is the Vancouver Aquarium. Starting at the tender age of 5 years, my own daughter was eager to start camp as soon as she could. She attended every summer until she aged out at age 12. 

At 9 years of age, she entered into the Family Volunteer Program. Acting primarily as her ride and chaperone, I completed the training program alongside my now aspiring shark biologist. During our shifts she would proudly set up exhibits of her favourite animal – the great white shark! Next we would walk around and provide information to guests before ending our days at Clown Fish Cove where Haylee would guide children and their families on how to safely handle small sea creatures. Annual sleepovers and visits to the Mammal Rescue Centre were some of the most precious memories of her childhood.

LAND ANIMALS

As for land animals, there is something really special about the connection between a  child and a horse. I first learned of Timberline Ranch during a school field trip years ago and was blown away by the immense offerings – from the beauty of the property and its facilities to the friendly and knowledgeable staff, and of course, to the beautiful horses for the children to engage with. 

At the time of my visit, I was not aware of the wide range of camps that are offered at Timberline Ranch and how much more is involved than just horseback riding. Ideal for ages 9+, camp choices include, the newly added, day camps for the campers that aren’t ready for overnight to the week long overnight camps. Days are packed full of riding and bonding with the horses along with CYOA (choose your own adventures) with many other extra activities including archery, rock climbing, zipline, and so on.

NATURE PROGRAMS

Gaining attention as a safer option for kids to engage in-person during COVID, outdoor programs have now become a favourite choice of parents for both camps and formal education during the school year. One such program, that started off as an outdoor preschool and school-aged program years ago, has gained so much attention and merit resulting in them now also operating as a BC Independent School in North Vancouver for grades K-5. Saplings Outdoor Programs and Nature School are both offering summer camps at many of their locations. 

While visiting their nature centre a few years back, I was dazzled by the trained forest educators while witnessing the way they inspired the children to explore the wonders found in our local forests and beaches. What most impressed me was how the educators fostered the relationship between child and nature. This to me is a huge opportunity to help kids grow their self-confidence as they learn to become risk assessors and decision makers while doing things like building shelters, hiking, and going on nature treasure hunts. 

If your children love nature, two other nature based camps worth checking out this summer are Burns Bog in Delta and Stanley Park Eco Camps. Both camps are committed to nature conservation and are beautiful tourist attractions in themselves.

SPORTS SUMMER CAMP

From team sports to dance, yoga, bicycling or scooter clubs, to the very unique experiences of learning archery or even joining the circus at camp for the week, the choices available for the sports category are extensive. The ones that stood out to me were two soccer camps that focused on character development and sportsmanship as their main achievements.

First, Free Kick, founded and run by soccer icon and pioneer of women’s soccer in Canada, Carrie Serwetnyk. As a former Canadian National team player Carrie has created a program for kids drawing from her love of sharing her extraordinary World Cup experiences with the younger generation.  Her main objective is to instill the love of soccer through character development. 

Another soccer camp, not to be missed, that shares similar goals of this game is Royal Soccer Club. This program has grown to be one of the largest across Canada because of its reputation for quality programming and is available in many communities across our province.

ARTS SUMMER CAMP

Starting off this category is iconic interdisciplinary arts organization, Arts Umbrella, offering top notch programs in all art disciplines – from visual arts to music, dance to performing arts. As a fellow early music educator, I have to also include a program that’s offering a beautiful foundation of conservatory music in age appropriate and playfully fun music camps for kids of all ages at Colourstrings Conservatory Of Music. 

Next, another camp choice not to be missed this summer is at Gateway Theatre. This quality theatre company offers unique experiences that will leave lasting impressions. Kids who attend these camps are inside a professional theatre, taught by working professional artists who are passionately helping kids grow in a safe environment. Kids in these camps are set up for success by practicing Gateway Theatre’s philosophy of process over product. 

Lights Up Musical Theatre Schools are also offering performing arts camps this summer with a similar philosophy of focusing on setting their kids up for success by teaching them theatre skills while instilling self-confidence in these young performers. 

I love this because this way the kids are able to learn the hows of acting and singing and dancing before performing in front of an audience while still having parents and guardians attend to watch and encourage the progress they are making in developing their performance skills. 

ACADEMIC SUMMER CAMP

Who said that STEM was only sought after during the school year? Definitely not kids who are into building Lego robotics. Daedalos Enrichment Programs offers such programs where kids can create their own ideas with constructive learning and exploration and have built up a strong reputation for doing so. Another summer camp worth mentioning that offers a very unique blend of STEM and environmental studies is at Petit Architect. Here kids build their own constructive creations while learning about the relationship between architecture, interior design, sustainability, and the environment.

PLAY BASED SUMMER CAMP

We would like to end off this story with a whole new world, or rather an 1800-square foot indoor city, at Kidtropolis. As a licensed early childhood educator who is a huge fan of dramatic play I can safely say that this level of imaginative play is nothing I have ever witnessed before and offers kids unlimited opportunities to play, explore and learn all at the same time. At Kidtropolis summer camps, kids enjoy a whole schedule of fun activities, experiments and games offered within this amazing environment! Read more about Kidtropolis in Strengthening Family Connections.

GREAT SUMMER CAMPS TO REGISTER FOR!

Residential summer camp

Camp Qwanoes

1-888-997-9266
[email protected]
qwanoes.ca

Jump into the adventure and let friendship fill each day! Experience a world of discovery in a spectacular oceanfront setting with an amazing staff team. We make it easy for mainland campers to get to camp – just meet us at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal!

See Camp Qwanoes in action here!

Art, Music, Drama & Dance Summer Camp

Arts Umbrella – Art Camps for Kids and Teens

604-681-5268 | Granville Island
604-497-0308 | Surrey
artsumbrella.com/programs/art-camps/

Arts Umbrella’s summer programs in Art & Design, Dance, and Theatre, Music & Film, provide young people with an opportunity to discover new artistic passions, develop their skills, and enjoy the break alongside their peers. Single and multi-week programs are available in Architecture, Musical Theatre, Creative Dance, Sculpture, and much more at their Granville Island and Surrey locations.

Evergreen Cultural Centre

Box Office: Open 12 – 5pm, Monday – Saturday.
604-927-6555
[email protected]
evergreenculturalcentre.ca/summer-camps

Join us for an exciting summer of creativity and unique activities at Evergreen Cultural Centre! Our mix of full and half-day camps offers campers a chance to explore all kinds of artistic mediums like painting, sculpting, acting, dancing, and more. Campers will also get to visit a professional art gallery and explore beautiful Lafarge Lake, just steps from our building. 

Gateway Academy – Acting & Musical Theatre Summer Camps

604-247-4975 or email [email protected]
For ages 6-13

Spend a week or two in July in a fun and supportive environment in one of Gateway Academy’s Acting or Musical Theatre summer camps! These camps are a great opportunity to try acting, singing, dancing, and more, ending with a final presentation! “ACTING FOR STAGE & FILM” is new this year for your kids aged 11-13!

Save $25 off your order when you register for 2 summer camps at the same time! Discount will automatically be applied at checkout.

Space is limited. Register Now!

Lights Up Musical Theatre Schools

Locations throughout Vancouver & the Lower Mainland.
1-888-502-5253
lightsuptheatre.ca/camps
Ages 4–12

Shine a Spotlight on FUN at Lights Up Musical Theatre camps. Every kid is a born performer—no prior experience is required. Campers will strut their stuff for family and friends at our camp presentations. Like all Lights Up programs, our camps teach children to work in teams, build confidence, sing, dance, act and SHINE! Summer Camp S

Specialty Summer Camp

MiniMakers

Come experience MiniMakers’ award-winning STEAM camps at the Vancouver Aquarium. Join us this Summer where students will dream, create, build, and inspire while making hands-on projects! Students will learn from experts, tour the AquaQuest Wetlab, and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Link to our aquarium listing: https://minimakers.ca/minimakers-vancouver-aquarium/

Contact information:

Phone: 778-860-6253

Email: [email protected]

Vancouver, 778-860-6253
[email protected]
minimakers.ca

Steamoji’s Hands-On STEM Camps

Kitsilano, Kerrisdale, Richmond Central, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby Metrotown, Coquitlam, South Surrey, Langley & Kelowna
[email protected]
steamoji.com
Ages 5-14
July 2 – Aug 29, 9am-3pm

Steamoji’s hands-on STEM/STEAM camps for the real world expose children ages 5-14 to emerging technologies like AI, robotics, and 3D printing.

WildPlay – Summer just got Wild!

Maple Ridge, 1-855-595-2251
[email protected]
wildplay.com

WildPlay’s NEW Summer Adventure Camps turn curious kids into bold adventurers! With heart-pounding ziplines, treetop obstacle courses, and team games, every day brings new excitement and growth. Their trained facilitators ensure fun and safety in every leap. These camps fill fast—secure their summer adventure now!