Tag Archives: Challenge Course

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, Adult Retreats, Camp Staff, Leadership Training

Time To Celebrate

Can't wait for all of you to be around the qrok Tower!

Just over 9 more weeks until Jr. High #1 begins! Summer is coming and we can’t wait for when this place is filled up again with all of you!

Time to celebrate!

Our Students Are Now Grads!

What a fantastic celebration it was this past weekend for our Kaléo program graduation! On Saturday we enjoyed the graduation ceremony in Club Coco with many family members, friends, Qwanoes staff members, Briercrest representatives, and local church leaders in attendance. Then we moved down to the dining hall for a very special banquet.

Through the afternoon, a huge highlight was hearing a variety of people – from students to parents to a pastor to a grandma and one of the students’ profs – share what the Kaléo program has meant to them. Those of us who were there would definitely agree with grad Levi Allen that, “I can’t help be be fired up for all the amazing potential that will be moving out of this program from just this year alone.”

Congratulations to all the grads of our Kaléo program for 2012/13! We are so proud of you, plus excited about what God has done in your lives this year and what he will do through you in the days ahead!

At the Kaléo program grad reception last Friday

Coming Up…

• Apr. 30: Advance Crew Begins. All of us on the year-round staff team are very excited to welcome our first members of Advance Crew in just 4 more days. During Advance Crew, the foundations for summer  2013 will be laid as this vital group of leaders is involved in all aspects of getting ready for the summer and working with pre-summer guest groups.

• May 3-5: Spring Women’s Retreat. It’s not too late! There is still space available. Experience the perfect break from the everyday! Enjoy freedom from responsibilities, excellent meals, and a great program planned with your needs in mind. You’ll love our speaker, Tina Ury of Seattle. Details & to register.

Qwanoes' Recreation Coordinator, Matt Flemming, trying out the brand-new Sky Station for the very first time!

• May 3-5: Challenge Course Instructor Training Workshop. This workshop is designed for those who would like to serve in a dynamic high-adventure setting. More info here. Call or email us to register – space is limited (priority to summer staff applicants age 17 & up). Please note that our CIT Challenge Course Instructor Training Workshop will be happening the following weekend, May 10-12!

Quote Of The Week

Here’s what one of our students, Lokadia Leeson, has to say about her experience in the Kaléo program this year:

At the Kaléo program grad reception last Friday

“Thank you to all the students, Camp Qwanoes staff, and various others who have encouraged me to pursue greater things and to seek (God’s) glory and joy… This year has been by far the best decision of my life…. From the encouragement and the support that I was surrounded with along with the deepening of faith through academics and community I could not be more blessed…. You helped me find the joy in my life that I was missing for so long and in that see how great that joy is and allow it to impact every area of my life.”

 

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Adult Retreats, Camp Staff, Leadership Training

Loving Springtime

A look at our students' outdoor rock climbing excursion in Nanaimo last week

Today, we are celebrating the graduation of our students in the Kaléo program for 2012/13! We want to give a huge congratulations to them for completing our 8-month foundational leadership college program, offered in partnership with Briercrest College and Seminary.

Getting ready to head out on the Sky Station for the very first time!

New Sky Station In Action!

On Wednesday a group of staff had the privilege of trying out our brand-new Sky Station in the challenge course for the very first time, as our instructor training took place.

Reaching higher... heading up to adventure on Level 2 of our Sky Station for the first time

The Sky Station, inspired by the legend and spirit of our Screamer & Skyscraper, gives  you the chance to climb way up and then zig-zag and criss-cross the heights on what may seem like endless challenges! You can find out more about it and our other new activities for summer 2013 here.

Qwanoes recreation leadership staff trying out Level 2 of the Sky Station

Coming Up…

  • April 30: Advance Crew Begins! All of us on the year-round staff team are very excited to welcome our first members of Advance Crew this coming week. During Advance Crew, the foundations for summer  2013 will be laid as this vital group of leaders is involved in all aspects of getting ready for the summer and working with pre-summer guest groups.
  • May 3-5: Spring Women’s Retreat. Experience the perfect break from the everyday! Enjoy freedom from responsibilities, excellent meals, and a great program planned with your needs in mind. Our speaker will be Tina Ury of Seattle. Details & to register.
  • May 3-5: Challenge Course Instructor Training Workshop. This workshop is designed for those who would like to serve in a dynamic high-adventure setting. More info here. Call or email us to register – space is limited (priority to summer staff applicants age 17 & up).

Quote Of The Week

Here’s what one of our students, Levi Allen, has to say about his experience in the Kaléo program this year:

“This has been the most shaping and formative year of my entire life and I know many others here have experienced the same growth. This program is set up to help you grow at a rate I wouldn’t have ever thought possible.”

We’re loving springtime here at Camp Qwanoes and look forward to seeing many of you here in the days ahead!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

Activities, Camp Staff, Events, Leadership Training, Social Media, Summer Camp

Summer 2013 Registration Has Begun!

Happy New Year to everyone! We lit up the sky at Qwanoes!

It’s January 3rd  and registration for summer 2013 is happening now! Ever since last summer ended, we’ve been getting ready for this date. We love summer and kids – and just can’t wait to start it all up again! Even though it’s winter, things have been going full speed ahead at Qwanoes in the past week! Here’s a taste of what has been going on…

 

What’s New For 2013?!

On Dec. 29, we announced our lineup of new activities for summer 2013! Always more fun, always more adventures! Have you heard yet about the Sky Station – inspired by the legend and spirit of our Screamer and SkyScraper?! We so excited about this upcoming major addition to our Challenge Course  plus Outdoor Laser Tag and everything else coming in 2013! Find out all about our new activities here.

It's the staff's turn to ride the SkyScraper at Staff Retreat!

Staff Retreat

On Dec. 30, our Staff Retreat started and it was great to welcome so many staff members back to Qwanoes for a reunion “weekend” of fun, reflection, and celebration! From the Fireside Inspirationals to brunch at the Qwanoes Inn to the SkyScraper to an amazing banquet to our New Year’s Party to the Qwanoes Polar Bear Swim, it was an unforgettable time together and the perfect way to bring in the New Year.

The brave ones at the Qwanoes Polar Bear Swim!

Brand-New Summer Theme Unveiled

Another highlight of the Staff Retreat was that on Dec. 31, the brand-new summer 2013 theme was announced! Here’s a peek at the unveiling of our summer theme RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW (plus hear a bit of our brand-new theme song!)…

Escape To Summer Now

The start of summer registration means that the Escape To Summer Now Contest has begun. Can’t wait for the heat of summer? Then let us fly you to into a hot spot for FREE right now! Please note that you can triple your chances of winning by registering for summer camp from January 3-9. Register now!

Kaléo Program Resumes Today

We are so excited to welcome our students back to Qwanoes today for the second part of the Kaléo program! Looking forward to all that’s ahead in the next number of months!

Bring on summer!!

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director

 

 

 

Adult Retreats, Leadership Training

Congratulations To Our Students!

Kaléo Program Grad

There’s a lot of excitement mixed with sadness at Qwanoes today as the Kaléo program for 2011/12 is coming to a close! Today is the last full day of the program and the graduation ceremony and banquet is happening tomorrow. It is a beautiful blue-sky day outside as parents and friends of the students are arriving. Take a quick peek into the last week of the program in the latest post – “Scaling the heights of truth” – on the Kaléo 2012 program blog. At Qwanoes, we’re very proud of our students and are very excited to see what’s ahead for each one! Time to celebrate!

Pausing for a group photo on a rock climbing adventure!

Women’s Retreat

Coming up in just two weeks is our Spring Women’s Retreat! Many are already signed up, but there’s still room for more. Women are invited to escape to the great outdoors and connect with God and others.

Krista Penner

Features include music and our guest speaker Krista Penner, Saturday morning workshops, excellent meals including a banquet, great free time options, activity options including the Challenge Course, an on-site hot tub, and even a special Chemainus Theatre option. Click here for full details on this weekend and to register.

In the words of someone coming to the retreat: “I am so excited to attend my second ladies retreat at the end of April! The 2011 Spring Retreat was soooo much fun!”

Challenge Course Workshop

The same weekend as the Women’s Retreat, we are going to be running our Challenge Course Workshop  – part of our pre-summer training series – for anyone at least age 17 (by the end of the year) that would love to serve in this dynamic high-adventure setting.

There's nothing quite like the SkyScraper!

Those attending will learn to lead rock-wall climbing and ropes course activities, while having lots of fun and making new friends.

It is truly rewarding to offer challenges to people of all ages that will build their self-confidence, communication, problem-solving, and team-work abilities. No previous experience is necessary! Please contact the Staffing Team if you’d like to take part.

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director