Get Set for Summer!

It may seem like a long way off but the Vancouver Island Scout Summer Camp is only a few months away and preparations are happening fast! We have an action-packed camp for you this year with a whole range of activities, overnight trips and challenges to keep you entertained. There is some important information in this email, so please save it and keep it handy.

This Year's Program

We have updated the program slightly this year and have moved the evening caving trips to a complete overnight trip. This will be available as an option for the Wednesday night out trip. You need to select from one of the trips below and you can do so at http://visummercamp.ca/register-overnight-trip-2018. Space on out trips is limited and will be on a first-come basis.

Overnight Trip #1 – Scale the Mountain

This trip involves an overnight hike to the summit of Mount Bald. As with previous years, the hikers will take the trails form Camp Woodlands, and switchback up steep slopes through the forest to the summit of Mount Bald. This trip involves easy walking, some hiking on narrow trails and a short scramble to reach the summit.

Overnight Trip #2 – Paddle the High Seas

Okay, so we're not on the sea exactly, but the overnight canoe paddle can often seem like it! The goal is to paddle up the lake to find safe refuge on one of the rocky and forested peninsulas that border the lake. This trip is for those Scout campers who love to be on the water, exploring new places and surviving in the wild!

Overnight Trip #3 – Middle Earth

Calling all moles and hobbits! This year we have extended the caving activity into an overnight trip. We'll be leaving camp and setting up a sub-camp in the hills around Gordon River, where we will explore several caves. This trip will include some small and crawly caves for those who want to scrabble around, some larger walking caves where we will explore old stream passages and large chambers, and even have an opportunity to rappel into a cave! There is something for all levels of experience, from absolute beginners to youth that have visited several caves before.

Questions, queries and concerns

We have many new campers this year. If you have any questions, queries or concerns, you can contact the camp administrator by emailing admin@visummercamp.ca.

Travel to and from 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 the SunFest Music Festival is also on during the start weekend and traffic may be heavier on the Cowichan Highway. For youth that are traveling from the Lower Mainland, please see the section below as a shuttle bus is available. Youth should arrive in full uniform between 9 and 10am on Saturday 4th August. There will be a registration table where you will receive your name badges and be told which patrol you are in, please check in and hand in any personal medications to the Medical Officer at registration – these can be in a large clear ziplock bag clearly labelled with your name.

Calling Out for Talent!

Back by popular demand is the open-mic talent show. Bring along an instrument, magic trick, skit or song and show us what you can do. We will have a piano and guitar available for use but bring along other instruments if you want to.

What Do I Pack?

Not sure what you need to bring to camp? We have a couple of kit lists that will help you pack! We provide all meals and camping gear but you do need to bring your sleeping bag and roll mats. Everyone at camp (Youth and Staff) must wear a hat at all times unless in the water. There are no exceptions. You will also need your own water bottle! Please clearly mark items with your name… each year we have several boxes of lost property that is unclaimed! The kit lists can be found online at http://visummercamp.ca/equipment-lists

Travelling from the Lower Mainland?

We are offering a shuttle bus from Nanaimo to the Camp and back to the Nanaimo Ferry Port the following Saturday. If you are travelling 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 8.10am (6.30am Queen of Oak Bay sailing from Horseshoe Bay) and will drop campers back at Departure Bay on Saturday 11th August for the 3.30pm Sailing (Arrives 5.10pm 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.

Follow updates on Facebook

Follow us on the VI Scout Summer Camp facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/visummercamp/ for updates and last minute changes. We’ll post frequently during camp so parents can see what we are up to.