Adventure
Camp Qwanoes has a rich history of transforming lives and fostering relationships through outdoor adventure. A wide variety of outdoor experiences will stretch and challenge students to step outside their comfort zones and reach a place where spiritual and personal growth can happen. Whether in the mountains, on a ski slope, or on the water, these adventures teach lessons and create memories that will last a lifetime!
Adventure trips are designed to help students grow in their understanding of who they are personally, spiritually, and as leaders. Bible teaching is incorporated into every trip, directing activities or shaping trips as a part of adventure programming. Students learn lessons through adventures that they can apply to a wide range of future life situations.
Read below for details on some of our most notable trips.
Mount Albert Edward Backpacking Trip
There isn’t a better way to kick off the Kaléo year than with a two-night backpacking trip up Mount Albert Edward. Located in Strathcona National Park, this peak is the sixth-highest on Vancouver Island. The backcountry trails provide the perfect environment to grow in community and learn outdoor adventure skills.
SALTS Sailing Trip
Ride the waves on a much larger vessel - a tall ship! Learn to become a sailor as you engage in the day’s activities, ranging from taking command at the wheel and climbing the mast to tying knots and swabbing the deck. This makes our evenings below deck even sweeter as we sing sea shanties and share stories with a warm mug in hand.
Tofino Surf Trip
Vancouver Island is home to Tofino, the surf capital of Canada, where we head for our multi-day surf trip. Zip up your wetsuit for afternoons in the waves or exploring the coastal towns of Tofino and Ucluelet, and spend evenings enjoying home-cooked meals and sharing all the memories we’re making together.
Horne Lake Caving Trip
Explore underground beauty in the Caving Capital of Canada! Follow experienced guides through several caves, observing the calcite and natural formations. This day trip includes a visit to the iconic town of Coombs, where goat sightings and good donuts are guaranteed.
Climbing and Bouldering Trip
In the beautiful downtown area of Victoria, you can find an amazing indoor rock-climbing and bouldering gym! Whether you are learning new skills or practicing familiar ones, try out the 15-metre-high walls, belaying, or honing your technical bouldering skills.
Mount Washington Ski Trip
Halfway through the year, we retreat to Mount Washington, which boasts one of the highest average snowfalls of any ski hill in North America and has a vertical rise of 505 meters. Beginners and experts alike are kept busy with skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing before returning to our ski-in, ski-out chalet for a time of reflection, connection, and looking ahead to the semester.
French Beach Camping Trip
Experience the south of Vancouver Island, with its many misty beaches, scenic hikes, and tent camping together at French Beach! We enjoy meals and songs around the fire, games on the beach, and trips to nearby sights on this laid-back adventure.
Hammock Sleepover Trip
Just off the coast, on Camp Qwanoes’ property, hang up your hammock with your friends as we enjoy our final adventure in creation and a hike up nearby Maple Mountain.
Gulf Islands Kayak Trip
There doesn’t seem to be a better way to conclude our year together than with an ocean kayak retreat. This time around, we stick closer to home, leaving from Qwanoes Beach for a multi-day tour of the Gulf Islands. We gather around the campfire for the final time to look back on the year and share our favourite memories from the year.