The Nature Vancouver Summer Camps are designed to foster sharing of experience, knowledge, and tasks to create a small community immersed in wilderness, hiking, birding, and botany opportunities. The Camp Committee organizes two annual summer camps running back to back. The camps are normally fully catered including meals that address dietary restrictions. Most participants use a tent although a few arrange lodging on their own at an additional cost. The majority of participants are middle aged to senior adults, but all age ranges are represented. Families are welcome in the second week. The minimum age for participation is 8 years old.

General information about our summer camps is available from the links below: PLEASE NOTE FOR THE 2026 CAMP THERE WILL BE A VERY DIFFERENT ITINERARY, NO TENT SET UP AND NO CHORES (except tidy up after yourself).

Itinerary      Camp Roles     Suggested Equipment        Camp Chores  

For more information about the camps, or suggestions for future camps and to help organize future camps, please contact Elena.K.NVcamp AT outlook.com

Future of Nature Vancouver Summer Camps

In 2024, The Camp Committee surveyed Nature Vancouver members to determine what types of changes may be necessary to attract new participants, maintain current ones and how members would feel about eliminating hired cooks. You can read a report of results from Membership Survey.

A Word About Food and Dietary Restrictions.

Our cooks are professionals.  Our menus strive to reduce waste yet provide enough for any appetite. There is always several choices for breakfast and lunch. Dinners are hot and hearty and accompanied by a dessert. At registration you will be asked if you have any dietary restrictions.  If so, a follow-up, five-minute survey will be sent to you.  Using that information, we ensure that there will be a satisfying meal available for you.  However, due to the cramped cooking quarters and buffet style meals we cannot guarantee there will not be some cross contamination.  If you have a serious dietary restriction such as Crohn’s disease, we suggest you consider if this is an appropriate event for your condition. 

Some Testimonials 

“I have always been impressed with the meals in our Summer Camps.  But the 2024 Camp far exceeded my expectations.  As someone that does not eat pork or any of its byproducts and who also does not drink alcohol, the thoughtfulness, organization and preparation that went into the menu for this camp was far more than I had expected.  There was even turkey bacon for me! which was a first.  Each meal was not only delicious but healthy.  There were even non-alcoholic drinks for some of us who do not drink alcohol.  I believe all effort was made to accommodate every dietary needs.  A special thank you to Teresa G. and everyone in her team for a job well done.” – Nashrah S.

“As a first time Nature Vancouver camper, and someone who really enjoys cooking, I was amazed and delighted with the quality, diversity, and bounty of delicious food that was served on this summer’s Manning Park trip.  I am both vegetarian, and lactose intolerant, and my dietary needs were met with genuine care and attention, and I ate very, very, very well during the entire trip.  It was such a treat to be camping in a beautiful setting, and enjoying meals prepared with such creativity, and flare by two professional cooks who put their heart and soul into every meal.” – Rudi L. 

2026 Summer Camp Camp Potlatch

Relax, Socialize, Play

Where: Our 2026 camp is located on the Sunshine Coast and accessible only by boat.

When: Tuesday Sept 8, 2026, to Monday Sept 14.  Boarding times will be provided a few weeks prior.

Registration begins 7pm on January 15, 2026 and ends at midnight July 6, 2026.  Late registrations may be accepted if a space is vacated.  Further details on how to register to come. 

Cost:   Details to come

Refund Policy: A $50, non-refundable deposit is required to hold your place.

50% refund on the remaining fees for any cancellations from May 15, 2026, through June 30, 2026.

No refunds are made for cancellations from June 30, 2026, onwards unless a replacement is found.

Note that as menus are planned and provisions bought ahead of time, we may not be able to use a late substitute with a dietary restriction unique to the other campers. 

Fees include:

• Chartered boat to and from Horseshoe Bay*.
• Bunk bed in a shared cabin with mattress pads.  Please see photos and description below
• Catered meals,
• Use of kayaks, and paddle boards
• Staff and Nature Vancouver lead activities.
• Almost no chores.  You return your dirty dishes, wipe down the table after yourself, tidy up after yourself when doing activities, sweep the cabin on the last day (or sooner if needed).  Just generally be considerate of shared spaces. 

Fees do not include:

• Alcohol.
• Transportation to or from Horseshoe Bay to your home.
• Parking at Horseshoe Bay.  Public Transportation and carpooling are encouraged.   

*Note that anyone missing the boat or wanting an earlier departure will be required to pay an additional fee, please enquire with the registrar Elena.K.NVcampAT outlook.com for further details. 

Introduction to A Very Different Camp

The 2026 camp will be very different from our usual summer camps.  The location does not offer a lot of hiking options or alpine flowers.  There aren’t the large open areas for wandering in the forest.  However, it does offer indoor and outdoor areas for gathering and indulging yourself in old or new hobbies.  This camp will be for those who want to spend quality time with old and new friends perhaps quietly engaged in a cozy read, puzzle or art project.  Perhaps playing badminton, bocci or practicing archery outside with others.  Entertainment will be provided by the campers themselves, as usual some may bring instruments and others may provide dance lessons.  Stories, poems, nature lectures or lessons are welcome as always. 

Camp Potlatch is a site operated by the Boys and Girls club of British Columbia. BGC’s mission is to provide safe, supportive places where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships, and develop confidence and skills for life. As it is used for it’s primary purpose during the summer we have booked an Autumn camp.  We will arrive by chartered boat from Horseshoe Bay on Tuesday Sept 8 and leave on Monday Sept 14 also by a chartered boat taxi to Horseshoe Bay.  The boat is included in the camp fees. 

Generators run from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm.  There is no heat in the sleeping cabins, the recreational rooms have heat. Wifi is available while the generators are running. 

There are no chores at this camp other than keeping your area neat, wiping down the table after eating, and busing your dishes.  Camp Potlatch provides all the dishes and cutlery, and they do the dishes and clean bathrooms etc.

Accommodations

Most people will stay in cabins that have bunk beds sleeping a maximum of 12 people.  There is absolutely no furniture other than the bunks and washrooms are in a separate building not far away. We expect that everyone will be staying in cabins with electrical lights. However, it is one light per cabin so bring a flashlight for evening ‘walks’.  The washroom building has running water.  When filling in the registration form you will be asked if you require/prefer a lower bunk or upper bunk. Depending on the registration numbers we will attempt to spread everyone out.   You will also be asked if you wish to be in a co-ed or single gender cabin.  Also, we will take requests for cabin partners but cannot guarantee placement.  You can opt out of a cabin and pitch your own tent (not provided).

Special Considerations: One larger, multi-room cabin is available with indoor toilets.  It also has a small deck. You may request a bed in this cabin when registering; they will be allotted by need and/or age.  The advantage of this building is the closeness of the washrooms. If more demand exists than available beds, then the assignment will be to the first registered people who qualify.  When filling in the registration form you will be asked if you want to request this building and why. Rooms in this building vary form 2 beds to 3 bunk beds.   

There are two grassy options that would be mowed for personal tents. One is a large field where some activities would take place nearby.  It is about a 3-to-5-minute walk to the washroom building.  The other is a small area near the cabins and washrooms.

Toilets and Showers

The washroom building contains 6 flush toilets stalls and sinks for women. The men’s has 3 toilets and 3 urinals. In between is the unisex shower area which is an open concept like a public pool.  There will be set dates and times designated for women and another date and time for men.  For example, Wednesday from 6am to 10am women only, 6pm to 10pm men only.  Outside of these times, you may choose to shower in your swimwear.  Signs will be posted outside the door.  The building is a short walk from the cabins.

Meals

The cook at Potlatch lives on the site year-round and has worked there for many years.  Previously she worked at a Chateau Fairmont.  They assure us that there are lots of vegetables and fruit on the menu and most dietary requirements can be accommodated.  When you register, we will ask you if you have restrictions.  A follow-up, 5-minute survey is provided to gather details on any restrictions.  As they plan their menu and pick up provisions early, we may not be able to accommodate late registrations with complex dietary requirements. 

The dining hall holds up to 200 people inside, an additional 32 seating areas are available outside on the picnic tables on the deck and lawn. 

Activities

There are many kayaks, canoes, swimming and paddle boards available to us.  Any water activities must be at a prearranged time and a staff person must attend. 

Archery, bouldering and rock wall climbing (at very early learning levels) are all options with staff in attendance. Outdoor ball games, bocci etc. are all good options for unstaffed activities. Equipment is available for many of these activities but feel free to bring any equipment for your favorite games.

A large indoor room with a fireplace, screen and projector (hdmi cable) is available for meetings.  Outdoor areas are also available for other evening meetings weather permitting.

An Example Itinerary

During registration you will be asked about the activities that interest you.  Each day a sign-up sheet will be provided, and activities will be planned in accordance with the weather and level of interest.  Co-current activities will be scheduled.

This is one possible day:

Breakfast

option of hiking, swimming or an organized game.  Doing your own thing in the main camp area is always an option (think reading, jigsaw puzzles, etc..)

lunch for those who are not still hiking. 

option of archery, paddle board or a beginner tree drawing workshop. 

Happy hour begins in the dining room.

dinner

Evening Entertainment.  Everyone meets in the large presentation room or around a campfire for the evening discussion on today’s events, any updates for tomorrow and entertainment provided by other campers (typically music, dancing, poetry or an educational nature presentation)

10:00 lights out when generator stops.

Camp Committee

Chair: Diane Fast and Sally McDermott

Registrar: Elena Klein

Members:  Laura Cottle, Brian Livsey, Paul Vasicek, Vivian Neal, Gail Ross, Linda Rosas, Cindy Cooper and Ian Mcmeekin

Sub Committee members: Teresa Gagne, catering.

The Nature Vancouver Camp Committee is always looking for help with organizing future camps. We need members to take on various tasks that are required to plan and organize these camps. Join the main committee, or a sub committee. Click below for more information.  To contact the committee nv.campcommittee AT gmail.com

Past Summer Camps

Camps have been an important tradition since 1918, providing magical experiences for our members. Click below to view the complete list of past Nature Vancouver summer camps, an article published in Discovery – VNHS Summer Camps from the Beginning to Present by Kitty Castle and some historic photos. 

Camp Photos & Reports

The photos from past camps and /or lists of flora and fauna observed at these camps are available from the link below. 

The complete reports of all camps are published in Discovery. All the PAST ISSUES of DISCOVERY, Vol. 1 to Vol. 47 are available on line.