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 IS A VERY DIFFERENT ITINERARY, NO TENT SET UP AND NO CHORES (except tidy up after yourself). See details below.

Itinerary      Camp Roles     Suggested Equipment        Camp Chores  

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

Jan 31, 2026 Update: There are still spaces available

Where: Our 2026 camp is located on the Sunshine Coast along Howe Sound and accessible only by boat (included).

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

Cost:   $950.00 – but no chores (almost) and no tent set-up this year! You must be a member of Nature Vancouver through to September 15, 2026 in order to join us on this camp.

Registration ends at midnight July 6, 2026.  Late registrations may be accepted if a space is vacated. Please email Elena.K.NVcamp AT Outlook.com (substitute @ for AT) with:

• your first and last name
• your email address
• your phone number
• You may include two adults in one email reservation. You must include the above information for each person.

Spaces will be held in the order in which the emails are received. After the registrar confirms your current membership in Nature Vancouver instructions will be provided on how to make the $50 non-refundable deposit payment.

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 after June 30, 2026, 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. No replacements can be made 2 weeks prior to camp.

Fees include:

• Chartered boat to and from Horseshoe Bay*.
• Bunk bed in a shared cabin with mattress pads.  See photos and description below.
• Tenting in a grassy field is optional. Tent not included.
• Catered meals,
• Use of sports equipment including kayaks, canoes, life jackets, 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.
• Linens, pillows and personal items.
• Transportation to or from your home to Horseshoe Bay.
• 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 Elena.K.NVcamp AT outlook.com for details. (substitute @ for AT)

Introduction to A Very Different Camp

The 2026 camp will be different from our usual summer camps.  Although there aren’t the large open areas for wandering in the forest there are still some hiking opportunities as well as indoor and outdoor areas for gathering and indulging yourself in old or new activities.  This camp will be for those who want to spend quality time with old and new friends, perhaps playing games, paddling a canoe, honing their art skills, taking up the challenge of a difficult puzzle or quietly engaged in a cozy read.  Perhaps playing badminton, bocci, testing your skills in archery or trying climbing for the first time.  As usual, entertainment will be provided by your fellow campers, some may bring instruments and others may provide dance lessons.  Stories, poems, nature lectures or lessons are welcome as always. 

Camp Potlatch is 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 its primary purpose during the summer we have booked an September camp.  We will arrive by chartered water taxi from Horseshoe Bay on Tuesday Sept 8 and leave on Monday Sept 14 also by a chartered water taxi to Horseshoe Bay.  The boat is included in the camp fees. 

Generators run from 6:30 am to 10:30 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.  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 and flush toilets.  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) in a grassy field, see details below.

Special Considerations: One larger, multi-room cabin is available with indoor toilets.  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 from 2 beds to 3 bunk beds.   

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 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. 

Meals take place in the large dining hall, additional seating areas are available outside.

Activities

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

Archery, bouldering and rock wall climbing (at early learning levels) are all options with staff in attendance providing support. 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. There are two or three possible hiking trails lasting from 2 hours to half a day.

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 gathers indoor or around a campfire for the evening discussion on today’s events, any updates for tomorrow and entertainment provided by fellow campers (typically music, dancing, poetry or an educational nature presentation)

10:30 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, and Cindy Cooper

Sub Committee members: Teresa Gagne, catering.

To join the main camp committee, a sub committee, provide suggestions on locations or for other general enquires contact the camp committee at NVcamp@naturevancouver.ca

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 are available on line.