YMCA Camp Elphinstone is located on BC’s Sunshine Coast near Gibsons, a 40-minute ferry ride from Vancouver. It offers wonderful one-week, two-week and four-week camping adventures for campers 5 to 17 years old. YMCA Camp Elphinstone offers land-based activities and a kilometer of oceanfront with extensive water based activities. We are committed to the growth of individual campers through community and friendship building. The camp is home to campers from the Lower Mainland and as far away as Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Mexico.
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Camp activities will include canoeing, archery, arts and crafts, ropes course, hiking, drama, campfires and much more. Residential campers will stay in comfortable heated cabins and enjoy nutritious meals and snacks. Transportation as far as Sechelt and a daily lunch are available for day campers.
The perfect introduction to residential camp, McNabb Camp offers the younger camper a chance to experience all of our traditional camp activities during a 3-night stay at camp. As this may be a McNabb camper’s first time away from home we ensure the focus is on creating a comfortable and exciting environment for children to make friends and learn new skills.
Our emphasis is on building independence as campers gain comfort and confidence in the camp setting. Each cabin group works together to choose parts of the program that meet their interests and skill levels. Campers also have a chance to choose activities to focus on through interest group time as well as taking part in section and camp-wide events. Chapman Campers will live in cabins with up to nine others their age and two group leaders. Possible activities include kayaking, canoeing, archery, arts & crafts, sailing and swimming.
Dakota Campers get an opportunity to build new skills and meet challenges in a variety of camp activities. As the last step towards a leadership program, Dakota section campers will be given increased responsibility and will, as a cabin group, help plan their program schedule. Dakotas also take part in interest groups and camp-wide events. Dakotas continue along the skill progression started in our Chapman section, building on past strengths and gaining new ones. Time is also provided for building new and renewing old camp friendships. Possible Dakota activities include high ropes, out tripping and sailing.
What better place to focus on sailing skills than beautiful Howe Sound? Campers in Sailing Camp will receive three hours of instruction daily on our fleet of Hobie Cats and Lasers from qualified instructors. Practical theory topics such as rigging, repair and care of boats, dealing with emergencies and wind dynamics will be covered. YMCA Camp Elphinstone’s sailing camp is the perfect opportunity for young people to get a thorough introduction to sailing while also enjoying a summer camp experience. Campers participating in our two-week sailing camp will learn sailing skills on Optimist sail boats for one week with BC Sailing Coaches.
Safe and creative activities for young people set in the natural beauty of our rain forest and ocean shoreline. Day camp activities include sports, games, arts and crafts, swimming, theme days and other special events. Lunch is provided and an optional overnight experience is also available.
YMCA Camp Elphinstone’s Family Camp is a fully catered experience that allows parents to spend time with their family and relax. A perfect opportunity for parents to introduce their young kids to summer camp, Family Camp provides organized programs for children and families. Family Camp is a safe, comfortable getaway from city life with none of the hassles of tent camping.
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