Category Archives: Q-Town & Music

Activities, Events, Leadership Training, Q-Town & Music, Social Media, Summer Camp

Impossible To Wait A Year

Today is the last day of August and it is also the last full day of Youth Camp, our last week of summer camp for 2013. Youth Camp is our only week in the summer for Sr. Highs and we go all out for this week – taking the best of everything you experience in a week at camp and going beyond!

You never know what's going to happen at Qwanoes & that's especially true during Youth Camp! Is that really Captain Q?

Right now, the preparations are in full swing for our “It’s Time” banquet tonight. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, activities at Qwanoes Beach and the challenge course  and much more are open, and hundreds of Sr. High campers and staff are having an amazing time together!

What Is qrok.ca?

The qrok Tower has been a popular spot all summer long to hang out while the Squirrel or Stevie-G (Qwanoes’ Events Coordinator) DJ some music! Hear the sounds of summer  on qrok.ca, the finely-tuned web radio station of Camp Qwanoes.

Our Twitter conversation with a qrok listener from Nairobi

Even beyond the summer or wherever you are in the world, you can hang out with “the Squirrel” (Russ Smith) and let the music take you higher! We were excited to hear this month from a qrok listener in Nairobi, Kenya!

Be sure to visit “the Squirrel’s nest” where you’ll find contests, “Right Here, Right Now” Bible verses, more stuff, and you’ll just have to see what you find in “the kitchen!”

Quotes Of The Week

“I had such an amazing time! I love Qwanoes so much! I can’t explain what a great time i had at Junior high 4… everything was soo much fun!” ~ Jr. High #4 camper, summer 2013

Our sixth & final Glo Concert for the summer happened this week. Here's a moment from the Jr. High #5 concert!

“I miss this camp, this camp is next to impossible to wait a whole year to go to!” ~ camper, summer 2013

“This camp has totally changed my life.” ~ staff member, summer 2013 (who was previously a camper & leadership training program participant)

Playing some All Star Games together at Jr. High #5!

“Some of the best and most rewarding times as a parent for me have been experiencing the joy of my children after attending your camp… Thank you to the entire staff at Camp Qwanoes you help to create memories that will last a lifetime.” ~ father of Jr. High #4 camper, summer 2013

“‪@Qwanoes woke up to a beautiful sunrise the other morning. Forget Maui, I want to live here!” ~ staff member, summer 2013

We love being part of changed lives and of creating lasting memories here at Qwanoes!

Coming Up…

September 11: Kaléo Program Begins. After camp ends tomorrow, it’s transition time because 10 days after that our students will be arriving! We are looking forward  to welcoming each one and to kicking off the 2013/14 school year!

Speaking of the Kaléo program, are you looking for leadership training in a unique setting while earning one year of college credit? It’s not too late to apply for the upcoming Kaléo program year! To understand this “phenomenal” opportunity better, check out this video made by one of our 2013 graduates:

 

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Camp Staff, Events, Leadership Training, Q-Town & Music, Social Media, Summer Camp

Most Wonderful Week Ever

Enjoying the Aqua Rope Swing at Qwanoes Beach

We’re already well into August and what an incredible summer it has been so far at Qwanoes. We even had a rain-free July! We are so thankful for everyone that has come and for all that has happened… and we’re not done yet! We can’t wait to welcome everyone who is still coming this summer.

The last couple of weeks have been filled with campers and staff experiencing life like no other together at Juniors #2 and Jr. High #4. Our leadership training programs are going strong with many high school students taking part in Step-Out and our second group of CIT’s are in the first week of their program right now. Our LIT’s have already had their focused week of training and they are playing an integral role on our summer staff team.

Sharing some good times with new friends!

Camp is in full swing and it’s a pretty exciting place to be right now!

Quotes Of The Week

“If someday that my mere mortal life I go to Camp Qwanoes, I think I’ll have a heart attack of joy.” ~ tweet translated from Portuguese, summer 2013

“Thanks so much for the most wonderful week ever as soon as i left it seemed as if i was leaving my home and i really wish i could of turned around and came back cant wait to see you guys next year love you guys.”~ Jr. High #3 camper, summer 2013

High in the air leaping out onto the trapeze bar

“Never thought it would be this way but being staff here at qwanoes is more fun than being a camper #homeawayfromhome #stepout” ~ Step-Out program participant, summer 2013

“Camp Qwanoes is addicting you go to serve for a week and you just want to stay. You end up coming back again and again! #bestcampever” ~ Jr. High #3 staff member, summer 2013

Glo Concert happening once again at Jr. High #5!

Bikes, Wakeboards & More For Sale

Every summer we purchase some brand-new, high-quality Rocky Mountain bikes and water sports equipment, and sell them at the end of the summer in good used condition for great prices.

Water sports equipment available includes waterskis, wakeboards, kneeboards, and a wakeskate. Tournament wakeboard boats are also available. For more info please see this link.

Coming Up…

Our fifth camp for Junior High’s and our third camp for Juniors are  just about here. If you’re coming, we look forward to seeing you at camp very soon!

August 11-16: Jr. High #5.

August 18-24: Juniors #3.

Up, up & away!

Meanwhile, the countdown is on for Youth Camp… 16 more days!!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program 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, Events, Leadership Training, Q-Town & Music, Summer Camp

It Means The World To Me

Our first week of camp with 8 to 11 year-old’s this summer, Juniors #1, is coming to an end right after lunch today. We’re so thankful for each and every child that has been with us this week!

Being blobbed at Qwanoes Beach during Juniors #1!

Each cabin of campers has had the chance to try a wide variety of activities this week. There has been something for everyone – from RC Speedway and Artrageous Crafts, to the SkyScraper in the Challenge Course, to the Aqua-Park and Fishing at Qwanoes Beach, to a whole bunch of other land and waterfront activities!

When not doing the activities, lots of events including last night’s Billy Blue’s Western Carnival have been going on. We’ve also been enjoying great music led by Russ Smith and our band Quixotic as well as challenging talks by this week’s speaker, Jonathan Headley, at Q-Town each day. On top of that, our first group of summer 2013 CIT’s has been putting all they’ve learned into practice this week as junior counselors.

It’s hard to capture in a few words all that has taken place this week! Some sad goodbye’s are going to be happening this afternoon!

Quotes Of The Week

“My little brother is there right now for his FIRST year at Qwanoes, I’m so excited for him, I know he will have the time of his life, and will make so many new friends for sure. Such an amazing Camp, and it means the world to me. I can’t wait till I go for youth camp at the end of this summer!!” ~ sister of Juniors #1 camper plus soon-to-be Youth camper, summer 2013

Singing together on piggy-back in Q-Town

“I was there just today. That camp has changed my life.” ~ Jr. High #2 camper, summer 2013, after getting home from camp

“I can’t wait for next year’s step out program when I’m old enough!” ~ Jr. High #2 camper, summer 2013

“@Qwanoes Coming for jh5 soon, so pumped! It’s always the highlight of my summer” ~ soon-to-be Jr. High #5 camper, summer 2013

What Is qrok.ca?

The qrok Tower is a popular spot to hang out while the Squirrel DJ's some music!

Hear the sounds of summer each week on qrok.ca, the finely-tuned web radio station of Camp Qwanoes. Even if you’re not at camp, you can hang out with “the Squirrel (Russ Smith) and let the music take you higher!

Be sure to visit “the Squirrel’s nest” where you’ll find contests, “Right Here, Right Now” Bible verses, more stuff, and you’ll just have to see what you find in “the kitchen!”

Coming Up…

July 20: Staff Development Day. This is a day set aside for staff to re-group, re-charge, and enjoy being together after three weeks of summer camp! We look forward to sleeping in, enjoying excellent meals, having a giant beach party, and being encouraged in a special evening Q-Town.

Welcoming our Juniors #1 campers to Qwanoes last Saturday

July 21-27: Jr. High #3. This Sunday, our third group of 12 to 14 year-old’s in summer 2013 will be arriving at Qwanoes! If you’re coming, we can’t wait to welcome you!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Events, Q-Town & Music, Social Media, Summer Camp

Glo Concert Lights Up Q-Town

Glo Concert last night!

Today is the last full day of Jr. High #2. We have had an incredible week and lasting memories have definitely been made.

Every day has been filled with new activities and events to experience, and yesterday was no exception! Just before lunch, we got out our giant “Big Blue” slip ‘n’ slides (yes, it’s true – we have two now!) and enjoyed some “Wide Eyed & Liquified” time together.

After a full afternoon of activities on the land and at Qwanoes Beach, we had supper and Q-Town – but the day wasn’t over yet! It was time for Kick Flip Café, a giant inflatable slide, and a super-fun hang-out time by the Skate Park.

Our Music Leader Russ Smith surrounded by everyone in Q-Town at the Glo Concert

Right after that it was time for our Glo Concert. Everyone got glow sticks, white balloons were everywhere, the countdown started, and our band Quixotic appeared on the stage. It was awesome to see Q-Town filled with hundreds of campers and staff having an amazing time together.

Quotes Of The Week

Glow stick madness at the Glo Concert!

“Hurray my second time in a row going and this is by far my favorite summer camp ever i love camp qwanoes!” ~ camper, summer 2013

“IT WAS THE BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE !!!!!!” ~ Jr. High #1 camper, summer 2013

“BEST WEEK OF MY ENTIRE LIFE! CAN’T WAIT TO COME BACK NEXT SUMMER! SO MUCH FUN” ~ Jr. High #1 camper, summer 2013

“I CANT WAIT!!! I’m coming in August!” ~ camper, summer 2013

The view from the stage

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. You can get a glimpse of what’s been going on so far this week at Jr. High #2, plus see lots of photos from Jr. High #1 last week! See anyone you know?!

Coming Up…

July 13-19: Juniors #1. This Saturday, we look forward with great anticipation to welcoming our first group of kids ages 8 to 11 in summer 2013 to Qwanoes! Lots of plans are in the works like Jedi’s Unleashed, Ambush at Crooked Creek, Billy Blue’s Western Carnival, tons of activities, Q-Town, great meals, time with friends and counselors, and much more. If you’re coming, be prepared for a week filled with fun and adventure! More about the Juniors program.

Hope you all have had a great start to your summer!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Adult Retreats, Camp Staff, Events, Leadership Training, Q-Town & Music, Social Media, Summer Camp, Youth Retreats

What A Summer!

It is a gorgeous sunny day at Qwanoes today and it really feels like summer camp should still be going on here! Today, we’re hosting a large high school guest group, Brentwood College, and it’s great having students here with us again at Qwanoes.

Celebrating An Amazing Summer

We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who was part of “Live It Up” summer 2012! Over 3,500 campers came to Qwanoes this summer and we loved having each one here. Our staff team of almost 400 people came together from across B.C. and Canada and over 10 different countries – all for the purpose of loving kids to life. Thanks to all our staff for your dedication, your love for kids, your servant hearts, and for being sold out to making a difference in the lives of kids!

In front of the transformed qrok Tower at our "Shine" Youth Camp banquet!

Each week of the summer was filled with highlights and special memories, from the start of Junior High #1 and the giant Canada Day party, all the way to the grand finale week of the summer… Youth Camp! Our theme “Live It Up” was made a reality as campers tried new activities like Paddle Surfing and RC Speedway, went on our giant slip ‘n’ slide called Big Blue, played games like Castle Conquest, went to the Surf-O-Rama concert or carnival, sang energetic songs and listened to a great speaker in Q-Town, spent time with friends and made new ones, enjoyed barbeques and other tasty food, hung out with incredible counselors and other staff, and so much more.

A fun glimpse of what went on can be seen by taking a look at our Facebook timeline and our tweets throughout the summer on Twitter. You can also see many photos from each week in the summer plus the Summer Family Retreat by taking a look at our Summer Photo Galleries page.

Kaléo Program Off & Running!

Students & staff gathered together in front of Club Coco last Thursday.

Last week, we were very excited to welcome 22 students to Qwanoes for the 2012/13 Kaléo program year! On Thursday, we had a staff & student beach party at Qwanoes Beach that included fun on the Aqua-Park, Paddle Surfing, and Rocket Plus activities behind the boat. On Friday and Saturday, the students received some practical training as challenge ropes course instructors – as well as getting to try some challenges out for themselves! Right now, they are on their first out-trip of the year  to Mt. Albert-Edward, the sixth highest peak on Vancouver Island, in Strathcona Provincial Park near Courtenay.

Staff & students having fun together on the field!

A Look Ahead Into Fall

We miss everyone and are so glad we don’t have to wait until next summer to see many of you! Lots of ways to stay connected are happening in the fall. Next week, the Qwanoes Road Tour will be coming to a location near many of you. We’re getting ready to bring the excitement of summer to Greater Vancouver, Victoria, and Parksville! Click here for full details including dates and locations… and to invite your friends. We can’t wait to see you there!!

Enjoy a typical Qwanoes evening at the Road Tour - from the energy of Q-Town to many crazy, interactive events!

In October and November, we have youth retreats – Juniors, Jr. High, Sr. High – as well as Women’s and Men’s retreats. Our retreats offer a weekend escape from the everyday, and a perfect chance to connect with God and others while experiencing the fun and energy of Qwanoes. Whether you were here in the summer or not, we would love to welcome you! To find out more about the fall retreats or to register, please see this link.

We wish everyone the best as the new school year has begun. Wherever you may be, we encourage you to live up this life that Jesus came for us to have to the very full the whole year through!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Events, Q-Town & Music, Social Media, Summer Camp

Action Here & Far Away

Jr. High #4 Cruising Right Along

We’ve been having a great week here at Qwanoes with Jr. High #4 on right now! Right now, tuck time is beginning and campers and counselors are gathering together on the field. Tunes are blasting from the qrok Tower and it’s time to hang out together on the main field! The weather was perfect this morning for “Wide Eyed & Liquified” – our wettest game of the week – and for going down our giant wet and sudsy water slide “Big Blue.”

Love this perfect summer weather!

More Sunny, Warm Days Ahead

Speaking of weather… the weather forecast at Camp Qwanoes is for just about perfect summer weather for the rest of Jr. High #4, all of Jr. High #5, and even into Juniors #3!

As many of you who live on Vancouver Island and in Greater Vancouver already know, we all experienced a huge electrical storm on Tuesday evening. At one point, part of this storm passed directly over Camp Qwanoes causing quite a bit of excitement. This happened right as the camp was enjoying “It’s Your Turn,” a time when each cabin group gets free time to do something fun together. As the storm got closer, the field was filled with people playing games and having a great time.

Everyone was evacuated safely to the cabins and buildings and no one was hurt. For many of us, the loudest crash of thunder we have ever heard occurred right after a lightning strike very close to the Pacific Woods Lodge!

Even our food services staff are in the spirit of the Olympics... see the message in the jello!

Victory For Canada! 

This morning, many of us were very excited to hear about Canada’s victory over France in the Bronze medal game in women’s soccer at the 2012 Olympics! Former Qwanoes camper Emily Zurrer is on the team and although she has been sidelined with an injury, she has been right there part of all the action.

Last week during Juniors #2, we showed a video from Emily in Q-Town talking about the buildup to the Olympics and sharing encouragement with all the campers and staff.  Since Canada was playing Great Britain the next day in the quarter-final, we sent Emily a new video of all of us cheering on Canada.

Our tweet to Emily before the game vs. Great Britain

After Canada won the game against Great Britain, Emily sent us a new video to thank us for our support and some of her teammates got in on this too! We showed this video in the first Q-Town at Jr. High #4. In the video Emily said, “We just want to say… a huge thank you for the video. You guys are awesome. It pumped our team up!”

Canadian goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc went on to say, “Hi Camp Qwanoes! We just want to thank you for the amazing video… we love you.” They said they hoped to make us proud and they sure did with their solid performance against the United States in the semi-final – followed by the huge win today against France!

See “‘Go Canada Go’ In Q-Town”:

See last week’s blog post Go Canada Go!  to see the first video we sent Emily.

Back to Jr. High #4… Looking forward to Q-Town and the Surf-O-Rama concert tonight, more activities and competitions like the Skate Comp tomorrow, plus everything else that happens on a Qwanoes day!

~Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Camp Staff, Events, Q-Town & Music, Summer Camp

Go Canada Go!

An Exciting, Action-Packed Week

Today, Juniors #2 is coming to an end and it has been an exciting, action-packed week.

Each day has included things like… daring to go off the Screamer, aiming for the target in archery, racing RC cars at the Qwanoes RC Speedway, playing with new friends in the Aqua-Park, creating something in Artrageous Crafts, trying out fun challenges at the Surf-O-Rama carnival, sliding down our giant wet and slippery slide called “Big Blue,” hanging out with caring counselors and staff, singing with our band Quixotic in Q-Town, listening to the week’s speaker Mark Batten (from Calvary Christian Church in Surrey), and so much more.

See photos of Juniors #2 here.

We look forward to welcoming our Jr. High #4 campers on Sunday, as well as having our CIT #2 (Counselor-In-Training) program begin!

Camp Qwanoes Cheering For Canada

On our camp picture day this week, we decided to send a huge message of support to former Qwanoes camper Emily Zurrer (on the Canadian women’s soccer team) and the entire Canadian Olympic team in London. Hundreds of campers and staff gathered on the grass in front of Club Coco. We got out our giant Canada flag, put on some Canada clothing, and went a bit crazy cheering for Canada. Who knows? Maybe a future Olympian is in this group of 8 to 11 year-old campers!

An International Olympics Celebration At Qwanoes

What do the Olympics and Qwanoes have in common? Both bring people from many different countries together! After cheering for Canada, everyone at Juniors #2 had the chance to watch as staff and campers from different countries got up in front of the group and sent messages of support to their own Olympic teams. It is very exciting to see how Qwanoes staff come from so many different backgrounds and parts of the world and unite together for the purpose of loving kids to life!

Staff from Great Britain

Countries represented on our staff team this summer include New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, France, Switzerland, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, and of course Canada.

Hear what some of our international staff have to say about being at Qwanoes…

“It doesn’t matter where we are from… we are one big family… it’s good to be here.” – Sabrina from Brazil

“I’m a ‘go big or go home’ kind of guy which is why I have come to Qwanoes for 7 years and I’m not stopping!”– Byron from USA

Staff from Brazil

“There is nothing quite like this in Scotland… It’s so cool to get to know people from all over the world. Canadians are very enthusiastic.” – Fiona from Scotland

“Always wanted to do summer camp! And we don’t have camps like Qwanoes in Australia. We do a lot more here at Qwanoes than camps back home. We make the experience the best ever for kids so that they will never forget! With lots of purpose every week. We put maple syrup on everything! Drive on the wrong side of the road! The Qwanoes yellow buses are amazing. Canadians are super friendly and genuine.” – Steph from Australia

Our Aussie & Kiwi staff having some fun!

“Love the people, they are amazing…”– Miles from New Zealand

“I love the landscape here, the nature, forest, the ocean, people are so friendly…” – Christophe from France

Click the play button below to see and hear international staff and campers cheer for their countries!

~ Written by Julie Bayley (Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director)

 

 

Activities, Camp Staff, Events, Leadership Training, Q-Town & Music, Summer Camp

Living It Up Each Day

So much is going on at Qwanoes every day right now! It is hard to capture with words just how amazing it is to be part of what happens each week in the summer at Qwanoes. In the words of Cintia Rojo, a staff member from Brazil, “This week at Qwanoes… truly an AWESOME time.”

Even the Squirrel got out for the big staff beach party! He loved the new paddle surfing activity!

Staff Development Day

Between the end of Juniors #1 and the start of Jr. High #3, we had a special day set aside called our Staff Development Day. This day included a sleep-in, some more staff training, a huge beach party and supper at Qwanoes Beach, Q-Town, and an extra-special mug-up. This was a great day to re-group and re-charge for all that is still ahead this summer!

The big show at Qwanoes Starwood night!

Jr. High #3 Happening Right Now!

Right now just as the opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympics is about to take place in London, a huge relay called the “Qwantathalon”  is taking place at Qwanoes! Games and events, led by Stevie G and the All-Star events team, are always a big part of a week at Qwanoes. Jr. High #3 has featured events like “To The Extreme,” our night game “Cobra Conquest,” “Planet Starwood,” and much more. Last night, we had the “Surf-O-Rama” concert along with the very popular Kick-Flip Café. And there’s still more to come!  See photos of the week so far.

Now hands are even cleaner at Qwanoes! 24 new outdoor sinks!

New Hand-Washing Station 

All of this week, we’ve been enjoying our brand-new hand washing station with 24 sinks! This station is right by the Sky Ridge Lodge where we eat our meals. Last week during Juniors #1, this giant hand washing station was built and put into action by the last day of the camp. Now washing hands before meals is easier than ever!

Living It Up At Q-Town Tonight

Q-Town is definitely one of the big highlights of a day at Qwanoes. Campers and staff love singing along with our music team Quixotic and all summer long Q-Town has been filled with tons of energy. Catch a small taste of the action during Juniors #1 and hear part of the new Q-Town song, “Q-Town Tonight”!

See Living It Up At Q-Town Tonight…

 

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Events, Q-Town & Music, Summer Camp

On A Qwanoes Day

Juniors #1 Happening Now!

Camper soaring at the Qwanoes Skate Park!

Our third camp of the summer, Juniors #1, is on right now! We’ve just passed the halfway point in the week. Each morning, campers have been taking part in Q-Town at the fireside and activities like RC Speedway, Artrageous Crafts, Climbing Tower, Trapeze Jump, Skate Park, and more. In the afternoons, campers have been getting to try out a huge variety of activities at Qwanoes Beach and on the land.

After supper, campers have been enjoying games and events like Castle Conquest and tonight after a barbeque supper, the first Surf-O-Rama Carnival of the summer camp season will be happening! At this giant beach-theme party, campers will have the chance to test their surfin’ skills on the Boogie Board Bonanza, try many other fun challenges, go on fun inflatables like the Amazing Race that are coming in just for the carnival, enjoy some cotton candy or popcorn, and more!

Dancing along with the Quixotic band in Q-Town!

After the evening games and events, everybody gathers together in Q-Town which features singing along with Russ the “Squirrel” and our music team Quixotic, seeing video highlights of the day’s activities and maybe a “Captain Q” video, and listening to the speaker for the week Jonathan Headley. Jonathan has been a speaker at Qwanoes for many years and is here this week with his entire family! See more about Jonathan here. The energy in Q-Town has been unbelievable this week!

Heading up into one of our treehouses! Spending the night in the trees way, way up in the air is quite the adventure!

After Q-Town, sometimes there is a fireside with some crazy skits and more singing… and then it’s off to the cabins for bedtime! Cabins who get the highest cabin cleanup scores of the day get to sleep in our treehouses for one night. A camper just came up to me so over-the-top excited that her cabin won cabin cleanup today and they are going to the treehouses tonight!

As all the fun is happening, campers are learning what it truly means to “Live It Up” in their lives, not just here at camp but wherever they go. So excited that we still have one and a half more days to go of Juniors #1!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director