Important Information for Campers and Parents

We are 9 weeks away from the 2019 Vancouver Island Scout Summer Camp and we have a lot of information to get out to scout campers and parents about the camp. If you haven't joined our facebook group, I encourage you to do so as we post all updates and last-minute information online on this page, before, during and after camp.

What to Pack?

Camp is a really fun and energetic environment, and all our campers need to come prepared for the weather and activities. We have compiled a packing list on the website at http://visummercamp.ca/equipment-lists. Please read and pack carefully, as every year we have youth that turn up without the appropriate footwear or clothing which may mean that the youth is prevented from taking part in activities. In addition to the busy activity porogram, we do three overnight trips mid-week. These are explained below, and depending on the trip selected, an additional personal kit list may be required.

Registration & Check In

Campers are encouraged to be at the drop off and registration desk between 9 and 10 am on Saturday 3rd August. Each year we have some youth who turn up much later which puts our whole schedule out. Please be on time and ready to check in.

Shuttle Bus

We are offering a shuttle bus from Nanaimo to the Camp and back to the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal the following Saturday. If you are traveling from the lower mainland and would prefer to travel as a foot passenger, please register for the shuttle bus at http://visummercamp.ca/shuttle-registration. The cost for the shuttle bus is $10 to cover fuel to and from camp. The shuttle bus will pick up the Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay ferry passengers at 8.05am (6.25am Queen of Oak Bay sailing from Horseshoe Bay) on Saturday 3rd August, 2019 and will drop campers back at Departure Bay Ferry Terminal on Saturday 10th August for the 3.55pm Sailing (Arrives 5.35pm Horseshoe Bay). Campers will need to pay for and arrange their own ferry tickets. As we do not allow electronic devices at camp, we will make a phone available to campers to let parents know they have arrived safely, please give a telephone number where we can contact you on travel dates when registering for the shuttle bus.

Getting to Camp

If you need travel directions, they can be found on the Summer Camp website at http://visummercamp.ca/how-to-get-here-vancouver-island-bc please leave enough time for local traffic as Lake Cowichan is a popular attraction at this time of year, traffic may be heavy on the Cowichan Highway. Youth should arrive in full uniform between 9 and 10am on Saturday 3rd August.

Registration Procedure *IMPORTANT*

When you drop off your youth, you will need to sign them in to camp. We will have two registration areas this year, the first is the medical sign-in.

If you have any medications, please bring them in their original containers and in a clear ziplock bag clearly marked with your name and a note inside with the dosage and frequency. We have trained nurses on site all week who are covered by their license so all medications must be stored securely and administered under their supervision. If you don’t have any medical needs or medicines to hand over, please visit this area first and review the medical form with them that you completed during the online registration; Sometimes things change and we need to check.

Once you have cleared our medical registration, you can hand your bags over to one of the Offer of Service youth who will take you to the registration table. This is where the fun begins! Sign in here to sign your Code of Conduct (all campers need to sign a copy of the code of conduct for camp), get your name badge, tee-shirt and find out who your counsellor is going to be. Once you have your name badge and are assigned your patrol, you are ready to start your camp!

Final Payments

Final payments for camp are now due. If you have only paid part of your balance, or just the deposit, please visit our secure online payment system at https://visummercamp.ca/payments/pay-with-card.php to make your final payment using a credit card.

Uniforms

Campers must arrive in full uniform. We don’t wear our uniforms during camp, but need all campers to arrive in their uniform ready for our opening ceremony.

New this year?

Don't worry, you are not alone! Every year we have new staff and campers that make the camp exciting! You will be placed into small patrols and within just a few hours you will make new friends! Keep all of your personal items in your tent and backpack and please make sure to write your name on absolutely everything! Each year we end up with so much 'lost property'.

Family can see what you are up to during the week by following us on our facebook page. We don't allow phones at camp, so please leave yours at home. You can bring a camera if you want to take photos and we have a photographer on site all week.

Activity Program

For the first time, we are publishing the activity program for the 2019 camp online for parents and campers to see what we pack into our Summer Camp! This year we have several activities that are new to program, and we are excited to be able to share them with you. The activity program can be seen online at http://visummercamp.ca/2019-activity-schedule.

Open Mic Night

Every year we have an open mic night. This is a fun and whacky time for campers and staff to sing songs, tell joke, play instruments, and do skits and much more. It’s great fun and everyone has the chance to participate. If you play an instrument, you can bring it along; staff will keep it locked away for you so it doesn’t get damaged.

Have you registered for the Overnight Trips?

We are running the overnight trips again this year and there are three to choose from – you can register for your overnight trip online at http://visummercamp.ca/register-overnight-trip-2019 . All youth leave the site mid-week for one of the out trips and must be signed up for one. Once you have registered we will send a kit list for the relevant trip if additional clothing may be required.

Stay Connected

There will be a lot of information coming out over the next few weeks about your camp, activities and updates on what to bring. Please check your email regularly and visit us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/visummercamp/

And finally….

Camp closes at 2pm on Saturday 10th August. Parents can sign out their youth at the same location as drop off. Please make sure to sign out your youth and check lost property when departing.