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, you can do so when you complete your online registration application. There may or may not be t-shirts available for sale during your camp week, so if you would like an extra shirt, order it ahead of time.

Campers tie-dye their shirts during the week and have them signed by the Moniteurs on the last evening of camp.

There will also be an opportunity to purchase BCFFC t-shirts, hoodies and other gear. An email will go out to all those registered in camps with an order deadline in the spring and the gear will be delivered to you at camp registration.

Camp Canoes and Kayaks

BCFFC has several kayaks which will be used by teens as part of their program. These kayaks will not be available for use by families at camp. Living Forest does have canoe and kayaks available for rent. Please see the office for availability.

Communal Dessert and Potluck

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. 

Friday night brings our dinner potluck. Before the final skit and t-shirt signing, we all share a meal. Plan to bring a dish that would feed your family, serving utensils for it and consider labeling it to help out those with allergies and dietary restrictions.

Bring your own plate and enjoy….

Extra Costs

You will find there are some minor extra costs that are voluntary, such as:

  • T-shirts for campers not registered in a program (see above)
  • Pictures, if your week decides to print them out.

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, or another 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. But please remember that all the children are hoping to host their Moniteur and some of the groups can be large. The parent Moniteurs and the Moniteurs for groups that are smaller will also need to be fed.   

Bag lunches are sometimes needed for the Moniteurs, those will be marked on the meals list and please help out where you can.

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 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. 

Parent Volunteers

As volunteers operate our camp, we encourage all parents to 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 our camp run smoothly. It can vary week to week but typically we are looking for volunteers to:

  • Drive groups to and from activities
  • Support activities by accompanying the group, including riding with the groups that travel by bike
  • Tow kayaks
  • Make coffee every morning
  • Set up and take down the dessert and dinner potlucks as well as the teen potluck
  • Take the garbage from the gravel field to the garbage area of the campsite
  • Host Junior Moniteurs on your campsite
  • Take group photos
  • Set up and clean up tarps for “sleeping under the stars” 
  • Supervise “sleeping under the stars” 
  • Compete against the Moniteurs at volleyball or the triathlon
  • Run the tie-dye station
  • First aid attendant
  • Emergency zone coverage (taking responsibility looking in a specific area of the campsite if there is a lost child)
  • Parent skit on the last night

Please sign up at the Coffee Tent and come to the parent meetings to find out how you can help. It is a great way to meet new people and make the most of camp. Without enough parent volunteers some of our activities won’t be able to happen.

If anyone is interested in leading any sessions for the parents, there will also be a sign up for that. Previous parent sessions have included wine tasting, crafts, knot workshops, knitting groups, and supporting your child’s success in French Immersion. You can also indicate your interests on your application form and the program planners will contact you.

Wine and Cheese for Parents and Moniteurs

After our Welcome skit 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 or another beverage to share as well as a cheese and cracker tray. Sorry, but children must remain at your campsite during this event. BYO cups, a few lanterns are helpful and please be sure to take your serving dishes back to your campsite at the end.  

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. The swimming area is at the mouth of the river and tides come in and out quickly. Parents should be prepared to enter the water with their children. Tide tables are available at the campground office. Please follow this rule and help keep our camp safe for everyone.

Bicycles

Campers going into grades 5 to 12 will be using their bicycles as part of their program. Younger children also love to ride their bikes around the campsite. When not on program children are welcome to cycle at the campground keeping the following rules in mind:

  • Bike helmets are required by law in British Columbia.
  • Parents cycling are requested to be good role models and wear their helmets.
  • Parents should discuss cycling speeds to ensure everyone is safe.
  • Bicycles should be checked prior to camp to make sure they are in good working order.
  • Bicycles are not allowed on the gravel field. Please park them along the road outside in a way that does not block the entrance to the field.

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.livingforest.com.