Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Registration
Registration for all 2024 programs began on January 4, 2024 at 9:00 am. Registration begins at the same time for everyone.
Cabinmate Requests
We will seek to honour cabinmate requests as follows: campers must be eligible to be in the same camp, ages typically are not more than 12 months apart, the request must be made by both people, and it must be made at least two weeks before camp. Note that this is optional and that many campers do not make requests. We seek to honour your requests, and to place similar age groups together. Please call if you have any questions.
Health & Safety
The health and safety of all our guests is priority number one for us. On-site health care staff in the summer includes one to two Registered Nurses plus certified First Aid Attendant(s), a Health Care Team Leader, and Health Care Support staff. We have a well-stocked, on-site health care centre (which includes AED’s). Island Health operates Cowichan District Hospital (an under 20-minute drive from camp), and Chemainus Community Health Care Centre with an urgent care unit (a 15-minute drive from camp). Paramedics from BCEHS provide ambulance service to the Cowichan Valley. The local Crofton Volunteer Fire Department is a registered first responder unit with the Ministry of Health. Qwanoes staff are chosen after a rigorous application and screening process, including a Criminal Record Check, and pre-summer staff training is provided. National Lifeguard Service (N.L.S.) certified lifeguards provide a safe environment for all Qwanoes Beach activities. Qwanoes is accredited by the B.C. Camping Association.
About Our Activities
Whether an expert or beginner, there's something for you! Our qualified staff will encourage you and ensure your safety. There are about 75 options to choose from, and all equipment and safety gear is provided. Please note that for the safety of our guests, all campers at Juniors, Junior High and Youth Camps must pass a basic swim test to take part in most waterfront activities. Campers who do not pass the swim test will have limited access to waterfront activities (but will still have fun!).
Please also note that some activities have minimum age requirements.
- Wakeboarding/Kneeboarding - 8+
- Challenge Course - 8+
- Captain Q Screamer, Sky Station L2 & L3, Elevator (Top Platform) - 12+
- Mountain Boarding - 8+
- Mountain Biking - 12+
- Archery - 8+
- Guitar - 8+
Note that the swim test, given under the supervision of our qualified lifeguards, involves swimming from the dock to a point in the swimming area and back (approx. 20 metres) and then treading water for 3 minutes. Campers who do not pass the test the first time can try again the next day. Campers are not forced to take the swim test.
Food Service
Always one of the most important parts of camp, we provide quality food and plenty of it! Healthy and delicious home-style meals are prepared daily and usually served family style. Campers eat on either our Promenade or Sky Decks, enjoying a spectacular panoramic view of the ocean and coastline. Vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free options are available, and we seek to meet special needs. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a full vegan option at this time. Nuts are not used in the kitchen (some food items may contain traces of nuts), but are present in the Camp Stores. Please call our registration team if you have a special diet so that we can work to accommodate it.
Cancellation Policy
FOR OVERNIGHT CAMPS: More than 8 weeks before camp (4 weeks for retreats), all but $85 is fully refundable ($90 for Family Retreat, $30 for Family Work Weekend, $25 for other retreats). Less than 8 weeks before camp (4 weeks for retreats), all but the deposit is fully refundable.
FOR ALL CATEGORIES: Substitutes are not permitted. There are no refunds once camp starts. There is no fee adjustment if a guest arrives late or leaves early.
Inappropriate Behaviour
Qwanoes reserves the right to send campers home for inappropriate behaviour at the parent(s) or guardian(s) cost, and without refund. The safety and security of our guests is always of the highest priority.
Guest Group Rentals
Let us host your next event! Qwanoes is open in all non-summer months for groups of all sizes...from schools and youth groups, to churches and community groups. We provide full meal services, activities (including challenge course), accommodation, meeting rooms and more. Our experienced staff would love to help your event be a success! Call us or email groups@qwanoes.ca. View rental info.
For Sale: Bikes & Other Gear
Every year Qwanoes makes available items for sale at great prices. Call for complete details or go to our for sale page.
Privacy Policy
We respect the privacy of personal information that is submitted to us and voluntarily adhere to the CSA Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information . This means that we collect the information only for the purposes of this ministry, we disclose it to others only as required, and we are committed to protecting the information to the best of our ability. We assume that your submission of a registration represents your consent to collect, use and disclose your personal information for the purposes listed in our Privacy Policy, the full copy of which is available upon request. We respect your right to withdraw consent at any time, though this will limit our ability to serve you in the future.
Other Questions
How much money should I send with my child for their Tuck Account?
If the camper has already purchased our Triple Pack, or is not interested in buying any Summer Essentials, we suggest between $30-$60. If they're interested in purchasing t-shirts and other clothing items while at camp, or the Video Package of their week or our summer CD, they may want to bring $50-$75. At any time during the week, parents may deposit money into their tuck account through the Qwanoes Online Registration Portal. Campers are able to make purchases from six locations...the Tuck Shop, Beach Betty’s, Ice Cream Island, Club Coco, Dockside Cantina and Shave Ice Palace.
What time do I drop off and pick up my child from camp?
Campers from Greater Vancouver will need to check in with our adult staff at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal on the first day of their camp at 11:15 am to board for the 12:45 pm sailing. They will travel back from Duke Point on the last day of camp on the 3:15 pm sailing, arriving in Tsawwassen at 5:15 pm. Please note that for SeaQuest, campers will return on the 5:45 pm sailing arriving into Tsawwassen at 7:45 pm.
Registration will occur for Island campers between 3:30 pm and 3:45 pm on the first day of camp. Pick up time is between 12:50 pm and 1:10 pm on the last day of camp. Please note that for SeaQuest, pick up time is between 3:00 pm and 3:15 pm on the last day of camp.
When I arrive at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal to drop off my child, how will I find the camp representatives?
You can be confident knowing that for over 57 years we have made getting to Qwanoes easy and hassle-free! Look for a big Qwanoes banner that will be along the fence outside the foot passenger drop-off area. Experienced adult camp representatives will be there in Qwanoes staff shirts wearing a Qwanoes ID badge, ready to check your child in! We strive to make getting to Qwanoes as easy and hassle-free as possible.
Is the cost of the ferry included in my fees?
No. Round trip ferry fees are $20 for Juniors (ages 8-11), $40 for Junior High (ages 12-14) and Senior High (ages 15-18) campers.
What is your policy on camper ages?
The youngest a camper can be is turning the minimum age (ex: 15 for Youth Camp) by December 31st, 2024. The camper must not be older than the maximum age by the start date of their camp. Any special requests must be made with the Registrar upon registration.
Can I send mail and/or emails to campers at camp?
Mail is delivered to and picked up from Qwanoes daily. Address camper mail to:
Camp Qwanoes
(camper's name)
Box 250
Crofton, BC V0R 1R0
Please note it takes an average of 5-7 business days for mail to travel within the province.
Emails are also printed and delivered daily to campers (send to: campers@qwanoes.ca or use our online form to send an email to your child). Several public phones are also available.
Qwanoes Public Phones
Although our hope is that your child will not need to call home, there are many centrally located public phones available. Campers can call home as long as they are not required to be at other activities. Use is usually not permitted in the late evening hours (i.e. after "lights out").
Please let your child know the best time to call, and possibly include this in a note to your child to help them remember. If your child calls home with a concern about camp, please contact us as soon as possible so we can help. To contact a camper in an emergency situation, please call the camp office at 250-246-3014.
What kind of accommodation do campers stay in?
Campers will stay in cabins nestled amongst trees in our seven villages, with each village made up of similar age groups. As cabins do not have electricity, campers are encouraged to bring flashlights. Washrooms, including hot water and showers, are centrally located.
When will I know if you received my registration?
After a registration has been successfully submitted you will receive an automatic email confirming that your child has been registered and/or waitlisted.
Where can I find more information about my child's time at camp?
An Information Package will be available to be downloaded from the Qwanoes Online Registration Portal starting in late-January. It will contain information on: our camp stores, what to bring, travel information, etc.
Don't worry...we work hard to make your first day at camp go smoothly and hassle-free! If you have any questions at any time, please do not hesitate to call or email us.
How do I get a receipt for my payment?
We would be glad to issue receipts for your registration. Depending on your household income, you may be able to claim part of your child's stay at camp under Child Care Benefits! If your child is under 14 years of age you may qualify to claim part of your fees back for an overnight camp. You can download a household account statement through your account on the Qwanoes Online Registration Portal or you can email registrar@qwanoes.ca to request your receipt.
What does it mean to be on a "Waiting List"?
We are very glad to put your name on a waiting list and there is no cost to do this. Please know that we will do all we can and that we will get back to you as soon as possible if a spot becomes available. We want you here – and we apologize for any inconvenience. By the way, adding your name to the waiting list will ensure that we’ll mail you next summer’s brochure and email you next summer’s info as soon as it is available.
What does it mean when a camp has "Limited Space"?
This means that the camp still has some space, but some of the camp activity club options may be taking waiting lists.
What does it mean when a camp is "Closed"?
This means that the camp is not currently accepting registrations.
Registration for 2023 programs began on January 4th at 9:00 am.
What should I bring to camp?
Bible (don't worry if you do not have - we can supply one at camp), pen and notebook, swim suit(s), flashlight (and extra flashlight batteries), warm sleeping bag and pillow, extra footwear, rain gear, warm coat and/or sweater, towels and soap, personal items, toothbrush/toothpaste, hat, sunscreen, money for tuck/shirts/souvenirs, water bottle (available in our camp Tuck Shop). Please put camper's name on all items. Please note that for campers' safety, proper footwear (athletic-style shoes) is needed in order to participate in many activities such as challenge course, skateboarding, mountain boarding, etc.
What should I NOT bring to camp?
Electrical devices (examples: mobile phones, iPods, iPads, mp3 players, radios, music or video playing devices, computers, game & web devices, cell phones, laptops), bikes, rollerblades, valuables, fireworks, knives and weapons of any kind, laser pointers, alcohol, tobacco, vapes, marijuana, E-cigs, vitamins, lighters/matches, pornographic or any other inappropriate material, and illegal drugs. As a reflection of our camp community standards we respectfully ask that you do not bring less than modest clothing, or swimwear (such as string bikinis or Speedos), as well as clothing with offensive images/words. Also, please be reminded that smoking is not permitted at camp. Please put camper’s name on all items.
Can my child bring his/her own equipment to camp (ex: mountain bike, skateboard, guitar, etc.)?
We ask that campers do not bring their own sports equipment. We provide all equipment.
Are the camps co-ed or girl/boys only?
All of our camps are co-ed. We have male cabin villages and female cabin villages. Counselors are the same gender as the campers for each cabin. Males are not allowed in female villages, and females are not allowed in male villages.
Do you have to be a Christian to attend Camp Qwanoes?
No. We welcome campers from all backgrounds – whether they attend church or not. We are a Christian camp, and we do incorporate biblical principles into all of our programs and activities.
My child has never been to church. Would this make a difference in her going to a Christian camp?
All are welcome and Qwanoes serves over six thousand people of widely varied backgrounds each year. Previous church attendance is not necessary. We can’t wait to welcome your child to camp!
When is the final payment due?
Final payment is due on the first day of camp. You can check your balance and make a payment through your account on the Qwanoes Online Registration Portal.
When do camps start filling up?
We have been honoured to have more kids come every year. In fact, Qwanoes has experienced numerous consecutive years of increased attendance. In response, we have worked hard to add more spots over the years. Unfortunately, though, we still often have waiting lists for several camps.
To avoid disappointment, it is best to register as soon as possible. Please keep in mind, though, that often many camps do not fill up for many months. We have found in recent years that our Juniors male spots often fill the quickest – so please register as soon as possible for these spots.
We are so thankful for every single child who decides to attend one of our camps. If a camp does have a waiting list, please know that we will do all we can to find space for your child. In fact, if a spot becomes available on the day of the camp, we will call people on our waiting list that very day and evening.