Vancouver Island General Information
Please review the important information items below to better prepare your family for your exciting week at the Vancouver Island camp. Life is pretty busy once you arrive at camp so if this will be your first year with us, we're sure you'll appreciate this opportunity to learn at your leisure.
T-Shirts & Extra T-Shirts
Each child that is registered in a program will receive a free camp t-shirt. If your family would like to order extra shirts for parents or other family members, please indicate the number and sizes on your registration application and include $10 per extra shirt ordered.
Campers tie-dye their shirts during the week and have them signed by the Moniteurs on the last evening of camp.
Camp Canoes and Kayaks
We will offer a workshop for adults on the proper use and care of the canoes and kayaks. You must attend this workshop if you wish to use the canoes or kayaks during non-program hours. Children 12 and under using the kayaks or canoes during non-program hours, must be accompanied by an adult who has taken the training. Water vessels must be returned by 9:00 p.m. ALL PERSONS MUST WEAR LIFEJACKETS IN THE KAYAKS AND CANOES.
Communal Dessert
The dessert night on Sunday evening is probably the most popular event. Each family brings a delicious dessert to share with fellow campers. This is a wonderful time to meet new families and reconnect with old ones....
Extra Costs
You will find there are some minor extra costs once at camp, including:
- Gift contribution for Moniteurs: $5.00 per child (voluntary)
- Photos of your child's group: about $1.00 per photo
- Corn roast: $3.00 – $5.00 per family
Invite a Moniteur to Eat
As this is how the Moniteurs get fed, we encourage you to bring along some extra food and invite your child's Moniteur to share lunch or dinner with you. The sign-up sheet will be posted under the Coffee Tent Saturday night. Sign up early so you don't miss out and please remember to share the Moniteur with the other families.
Parent Meetings
At approximately 9:15 each morning, with the exception of Wednesday, parents meet at the Coffee Tent for a brief info session. The Program Director (aka Parents' Moniteur), along with the Camp Manager, will fill the adults in on everything they need to know for the day. Bring your coffee and share in the fun.
On Thursday or Friday at 10 a.m., we hold the big parent meeting. Please make every effort to be there-this is where we hear beefs and bouquets to make the camp what it is. We also provide donuts....
Parent Volunteers
As volunteers operate our camp, all parents must give a few hours of their time to spread the workload and to ensure that everyone can enjoy their holiday. A big thank you in advance to all our parents who give up part of a day to help out their children by driving for hikes, supervising water activities, helping with program activities, and especially supervising the late night sleep-out. Please sign up at the Coffee Tent!
If anyone is interested in leading fitness or French conversation sessions, see the Camp Managers.
Wine and Cheese for Parents and Moniteurs
After our Welcome Campfire on Saturday evening, come and enjoy some stimulating conversation between old friends, and meet new friends and the Moniteurs for this camp year. Bring your favourite bottle of wine to share as well as a cheese and cracker tray. Sorry, but children must remain at your campsite during this event.
Tuesday Night Sleep-out Under the Stars
On Tuesday evening, the group area is covered from end to end with tarps and children can experience the fun of sleeping out under the stars (weather permitting). Parents sign up as supervisors for shifts of a few hours throughout the night and will accompany your children safely back to your campsite if they decide not to stay till morning. It's an exciting experience for them even if they only stay for a short time.
Swimming
The Moniteurs will always assume that all children are non-swimmers, and will see that all children will be in life jackets while in water over their shoulders. Parents are responsible for children out of program hours. BCFFC and Living Forest campground rules require that all children under 12 years of age must be supervised by an adult while at the beach area. Please follow this rule and help keep our camp safe for everyone.
Additional campground rules and information will be provided at registration and available on the Parent Board under the covered shelter at the group area. You can also check out Living Forest Campground's website at www.campingbc.com.