
Awesome Vancouver Summer Camps Your Kids Will LOVE! ☀️🌲🔬🚴♀️
Hey Vancouver parents! 👋 Summer planning season is officially ON! ☀️ Thinking about how to keep the kids engaged, learning, and having a blast? Summer camp to the rescue! 🎉 So many amazing options start registration early, so I've rounded up some top-notch, well-loved camps right here in Vancouver, plus a bigger list to explore!
Let's dive into 4 fantastic recommendations first:
🌟 Top 4 Vancouver Summer Camp Spotlights 🌟
1️⃣ UBC Summer Camps: World-Class Learning & Fun! 🎓🌏
Want your kids (ages 9-17) to brush up on English while experiencing a top university? UBC Camps are a fantastic choice!
- Live the Uni Life: Students stay right in UBC dorms! 🤩
- Immersive English: 15 hours per week of focused English learning.
- Beyond the Classroom: Afternoons are packed with outdoor activities and chances to connect with other international students.
- NEW Leadership Skills: Check out the "Skills Plus" course focusing on critical thinking and cultural awareness. 🧠
- Explore Vancouver: Camp includes trips to iconic local spots like Whistler and Grouse Mountain! 🏞️
2️⃣ Grouse Mountain Adventure Camps: Little Wilderness Explorers! 🌲🐻
Perfect for adventurous little ones aged 5-7! This camp turns Grouse Mountain into their playground.
- Weekly Themes: Dive into "Mountain Discovery" or become "Nature Detectives"! 🕵️♀️
- Awesome Activities: Think archery 🏹, forest hikes, learning about Indigenous cultures, and even safely observing the resident grizzly bears!
- Ready for Anything: Operates rain or shine, teaching kids resilience. Make sure they have waterproof jackets and good hiking shoes! 🌧️👟
- Future Ranger Alert: My kiddo came home totally obsessed with becoming a park ranger after this camp! 🥰
3️⃣ Minimakers Aquarium STEAM Camp: Ocean Science Fun! 🐠🔬
Calling all budding marine biologists (ages 5-12)! This camp at the Vancouver Aquarium is pure STEAM magic.
- Learn Amongst the Fish: Classes happen right inside the aquarium! 🌊
- Hands-On Science: Combines marine biology with STEAM projects – kids build eco-systems, watch 4D movies, and meet wildlife experts. 🧑🔬
- Eco-Warriors in Training: Spring and Summer camps available, often with themes like "Ocean Guardians" to inspire conservation. 💚
- Real-World Learning: My child built a coral reef model and now explains fish behaviour during bath time! 😂
4️⃣ Pedalheads Multi-Sport Camps: Bike, Swim, Play! 🚴♀️🏊♂️⚽
Got active kids (ages 2-12)? Pedalheads is a legendary Vancouver institution for learning movement skills!
- 35 Years Strong: They really know their stuff! Camps focus on specific skills like biking (from training wheels to road riding!), swimming, or multi-sport options including hiking and soccer.
- Skill Progression: Age-appropriate groups and step-by-step instruction ensure success. 🙌
- Parent Perks: Extended care options available for busy schedules!
- Safety First: Small class sizes and proper safety gear provided. Seriously makes you wish they had this when we were kids! 😉
📋 More Awesome Vancouver Summer Camp Ideas!
Okay, the choices don't stop there! Here's a quick roundup of other highly-regarded camps:
Academic & Arts Camps 🎨📚
- UBC Summer Camps: (Mentioned above, but HUGE variety!) Adventures, sports, arts, academics. Ages 3-17.
- UBC Geering Up: Hardcore STEM! Great for science/coding lovers. Locations in Van, Richmond, Surrey+. Grades 2-12.
- Science World: Fun science games & shows, hands-on activities. Grades 1-8.
- Code Ninjas: Learn game design, coding, STEM. Often half-day options. Ages 5-14.
- Byte Camp: Animation, game design, video editing skills. Ages 9-17.
- SFU Camps: Wide range of outdoor, sports, and academic camps. Ages 5-18.
- Arts Umbrella: Develop creativity in visual arts, dance, theatre, film. Ages 3-19.
- Pear Tree Education: Academic focus blended with creative activities, themed weeks. Various locations. Ages 5-12.
- Little Kitchen Academy: Cooking classes using Montessori methods. Perfect for little foodies! Ages 3-18.
Outdoor & Adventure Camps 🌲🚴♂️
- Grouse Mountain Summer Adventure: (Spotlighted above) Outdoor fun, nature exploration. Full days. Ages 5-12.
- Mt. Seymour Eco-Adventure Camps: Forest adventures, learning survival skills. Full days. Ages 5-12.
- Elevate Ultimate: Learn Ultimate Frisbee skills and teamwork. Ages 7-14.
- Southlands Heritage Farm: Feed animals, learn horseback riding, explore nature. Ages 3-12.
Sports & Physical Activity Camps 🛟🚴
- Pedalheads: (Spotlighted above) Swim, bike, soccer, multi-sport. Known for teaching biking! Ages 3-12.
- YMCA Camps: Lots of outdoor activities, builds fitness and social skills. Ages 6-12.
Don't Forget! Many local community centres and some public schools also offer FREE or lower-cost summer programs. These can be super popular, so register early! 💨
What other amazing Vancouver summer camps have your kids loved? Share your recommendations below! 👇🥳