• Kids' Camps

Types of camps in West Vancouver

No matter what your age or interest, there’s a kids’ camp in West Vancouver for you. Multi-activity camps are ideal for kids with broad interests, giving them a chance to explore and learn. Below, we list specific activities that camps focus on. Find your favourite, and links take you to our advanced search page. Specialized camps are listed at the top of results and camps offer that as one activity among others are further below.

Camps just outside of West Vancouver

Find camps in nearby areas of Greater Vancouver like these cities and boroughs: 

Six key benefits of a West Vancouver summer camp

Parents may have some reservations about paying for camps, but there are many benefits kids gain from camp, some more obvious than others. Take a look: 

Social growth. Camp gets kids out of their social comfort zone, where they meet other kids from the same city. Away from the oversight of parents and the structure of school, camp gives them a chance to play and work alongside others from a variety of ethnicities, social strata, and religious identities. Learn more about how camps help kids develop social skills, as well as related traits and skills like self regulation, empathy, and generosity toward others. Send your shy child to camp and witness them come out of their shell. Send your confident child to camp and watch them grow into a leader. 

Increased self-confidence. Social interaction is one way kids grow in confidence at camp. They’re also encouraged to participate in activities they might otherwise avoid. They work individually or with other campers to overcome challenges together in a setting that’s supportive and fun. Camp allows them to discover things about—and simply be—themselves. Many parents of camp kids remark on their child’s improved self-confidence and engagement with the world. 

Growth in independence and personal responsibility. At camp, especially overnight camps, kids have to take care of their own stuff. At OurKids.net, we’ve heard from many leaders in business, technology, and other areas who attribute key personal growth to their camp experience, as kids. Camp gives kids freedom to take initiative and make decisions on their own while taking part in unique experiences. These help them grow in independence and responsibility for themselves and others, and they gain skills in resilience, courage, and leadership.  

Physical literacy. Camp makes physical activity fun through a variety of activities that are often non-competitive. Sports like swimming and hiking as well as gently competitive activities like soccer and volleyball scrimmages are a basic part of many camps. “Physical literacy,” as Natalie Toman of ParticipACTION explains, isn’t just exercise, but “it’s a love for activity for its own sake.” This appreciation is something camp is uniquely good at, as activities often take place outdoors in a social setting, and kids are unaware they’re getting fit. It gives them an implicit, quiet confidence in their bodies that they’ll remember later in life. The physical exercise at camp is also good for improving moods and alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression. 

Off-school learning. Education at summer camp is funner and freer than the classroom’s more formal setting. Learnings tend to be hands-on, interactive, and collaborative at camp. Camps listed on our site offer enjoyable education in everything from programming to math to science, and more.  Kids acquire new skills at camp, and have opportunities to explore a variety of interests. 

Fun! This is what kids sign up for. And this should be encouraged. Too often , kids are overscheduled and we forget that childhood should be enjoyable. Summer camp’s liberating setting brings fun in a variety of means, some of them ways kids would never encounter anywhere else. 

How to find the best camp for your child

When reaching out to camps above, it’s important to ask the right questions in order to find the best camp for you and your child(ren).  Here’s a look at things you should keep in mind, with questions you should ask yourself and/or camps in regard to each concern, as well as some tips. 

Practical concerns

• Proximity to your home or work: How far are you willing to drive to bring your child to camp? If you need extra care after or before, does the camp provide that? Know the camp’s hard and fast rules about drop-off and pick-up.
• Legal issues: Do parents need to sign a waiver? Is the camp accredited, and if so, by whom? Ask about any other legal issues you should know about. 
• Activities schedule and distribution: Can they provide you with a schedule of camp activities? How much of your child’s favourite games and activities are included? Know what your child really wants out of camp and give that to them as much as possible. If they enjoy it, they’ll get more out of the experience, and they’ll want to return. 

Safety and security issues

• Counsellor training: Do counsellors all have vulnerability sector checks? What training do they have? How much experience do counsellors and the camp have with regard to teaching kids and running a camp?
• Bullying and discipline: Does the camp have a bullying policy? A discipline policy they can share? Can they give you examples of discipline issues they’ve dealt with in the past? If they do not have policies in these areas, this may be a red flag. 
• The size of the camp. How many campers are there per session? How are kids grouped—by age range or gender? What is the ratio of counsellors to kids in each session?  Ask if you can personally contact the group leader for your child. 

Food and drink concerns

• Allergies and special diets, etc. How does the camp treat allergies and special diets?  Are kids allowed to or encouraged to bring their own snacks? If your child has nut allergies or they are vegetarian, consider how they’ll be affected by camp policies. 
• Hydration. Can kids freely access drinking water on hot days? 

Financial concerns

Discounts or financial aid: Are there discounts for siblings? Do they offer any financial aid? Ask yourself if you think the camp cost is justified by its value to you and your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many West Vancouver camps are there?
There are 4 West Vancouver camps that are Our Kids trusted members. In addition, there are 2 options that bus from the area. Use the filters to narrow options by age or type, then click on each organization to read reviews, browse program schedules, and access registration details.

What are the fees to attend West Vancouver camps?
Fees for West Vancouver camps range from $125 to $1,750 per program (program types and lengths vary). Use the filters here to narrow programs by age and type.

What age do West Vancouver camps start at?
There are programs available for children aged 2 through 18.