FAQ
Check out our Welcome Package!
Many of the most commonly asked questions are answered in our Welcome Package! This booklet offers a brief overview of what to expect at camp, and includes a sample day schedule and a packing list. For all other questions refer to the list below or email us at info@fircom.ca
Camp FAQs
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SCAMPER, JUNIOR, SENIOR KIDS CAMP & TEEN CAMP
You may choose to drop-off and pick-up your child or teen in person or have your child or teen ride the charter bus out to Horseshoe Bay. Drop-off and pick-up location is in Horseshoe Bay at the west end of the waterfront park. During your registration (or afterwards), you may choose to sign up your child or teen for the bus service. Fircom bus pick-up and drop-off takes place in two locations – East Vancouver and West Vancouver. You can email the office to add your child to the charter bus: info@fircom.ca
POLARIS & C.I.T. PROGRAMS, & FAMILY PROGRAMS
Horseshoe Bay check-in happens at the end of the public dock, at the west end of the bay. You won't miss the red roofed building at the end of the dock. Please view your program-specific page for detailed boat departure times.
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The counsellors at camp have a variety of qualifications. Some are wilderness first aid attendants, some are lifeguards, and some have backgrounds in activities like dance, theatre, sports or crafts. All staff go through industry mandated training as outlined by the BC Camps Association and The United Church of Canada’s Camp Accreditation Standards. All staff and volunteers have up- to-date criminal record checks and standard first aid. Over 60% of the camp staff return each year.
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All of the Fircom staff are trained to manage homesickness. If kids are homesick at camp, typically it happens on the first night. We remedy this by running high energy program on the first day to tire everyone out so they don’t stay awake feeling homesick that first night. We also find that if kids talk with their parents while at camp, they are immediately comforted, however in the long run it just makes them more homesick. For this reason we rarely have campers call home. If it seems like the only option, our Summer Camp Director will call you first and brief you on the situation beforehand.
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During camp, campers have no access to the phone or internet. They will not be available to take phone calls on the island because they will be having too much fun!
If there is an emergency, contact us directly via email or call our camp office during regular business hours. They will be able to put you in contact with the Summer Camp Director and thereby your child.
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All medical/behavioural information is kept confidential. It will be shared with the Office Administrator who processes the registration, the Summer Camp and Program & Waterfront Directors, the Camp Nurse, and your child’s Camp Counsellors. This information will not be available to other campers or to counsellors who are not working directly with your child.
Our Camp Counsellors are trained on how to discreetly, and without much fuss, get kids' sleeping bags and pajamas washed when needed. It happens every year and for us it's no big deal. Our goal is to ensure that everyone has a great time, no matter what.
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The food at camp is delicious. Check out the Food at Camp section of our Welcome Package for a sample of the meals that will be served at camp.
In addition to three meals a day, dessert is served in the early evening during all of our camp sessions. A fruit bowl is out during the day. We usually have our hot chocolate two mornings during the week as part of our Rad Risers routine. Treats (all camp sessions) and refreshing drinks (Family Camps) are available for purchase in the Tuck Shop during the afternoon.
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We can accommodate almost all allergy and dietary restrictions including gluten and dairy-free. Camp Fircom's kitchen is nut-aware and is dedicated to upholding practices that prevent cross contamination of allergens. However, due to the large number of guests we have passing through camp each year, and depending on severity of the allergies we are not able to absolutely guarantee an allergy free environment, and therefore we consider ourselves a NUT and ALLERGY-AWARE site as opposed to a nut-free site. *Note: We are not a wheat-free kitchen!
All communicated allergies will be reviewed by our Head Chef and if needed, one-on-one conversations may occur to facilitate the food experience of your child.
Single allergies (just one of gluten / dairy / eggs ) are accommodated easily; however, when multiple allergies occur (ex. Gluten-Free AND Vegan), we may be in contact with you about supplementing some supplies/options that match with your or your child's needs.
Please ensure that you list all of your child's allergies on their registration form.
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This is a tough question. Kids can start coming to overnight camp as early as 6 years old. It really depends on how comfortable your child is being away from home. Have they gone on sleepovers in the past? Have they come to camp with you for Family Camp, Mom & Kids Camp, or Dad & Kids Camp? Are they excited about the prospect of coming to camp? There are lots of things you can do to help prepare them for camp. Read through the registration package with them, have them help pack their bags, try having a day without screens to help ease them into not having technology.
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Fircom is accredited by the BC Camps Association and The United Church of Canada. All program areas are up to industry standard safety regulations and every week there are first-aid trained staff on site. All Camp Counsellors and the vast majority of other camp staff have at minimum, Standard First Aid.
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Probably! Just make sure you list the name of the person you want to stay with on your registration form. If your friend is several years older or younger than you, we may not be able to accommodate this. Please give us a call to talk to us before registering.
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If your child is coming to Scamper Camp, they will be in Craigcroft. Craigcroft has rooms that hold three kids each. Your child’s Camp Counsellors will be in one of the rooms on the same floor and there is a bathroom easily accessible down the hall.
If your child is coming to the Kids Camp Junior program, they will be in a cabin with around 11 other kids of a similar age. Each cabin has bunk beds so campers will get to choose a top or bottom bunk. There will be two Camp Counsellors in each cabin. If your child is coming to the Kids Camp Senior program, they will be in a cabin as described above, or in a bell tent with 5 other kids and a Camp Counsellor. Teen campers will also stay in bell tents.
Family Camp, Mom, Kids & Teens Camp and Dad, Kids & Teens Camp will use all of the accommodations: Cottage, Craigcroft, Cabins and Bell Tents.
Accommodation details can also be found on the program-specific webpages.
You can read more about our accommodations on the Accommodations page.
All-Gendered Accommodations
As a part of our commitment to living our value of Inclusion, we have all-gendered our Summer Camp accommodations and washroom facilities.
An all-gender accommodation means that campers can expect to share an accommodation with fellow campers of all genders, gender identities, and gender expressions. This change represents a shift towards making camp a more welcoming and inclusive environment. In order for campers to maintain privacy when dressing, we will continue to have covered changing stations in Cabins and next to Bell Tents, as well as private stalls in all of our washroom facilities.
REGISTRATION FAQs
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You may pay with Visa, Mastercard or e-cheque (via Amilia registration system), or outside of Amilia with a cheque (payable to Camp Fircom Society) or Interac Email Money Transfer (send to info@fircom.ca and email us the security answer.)
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Summer Camp registrations that are cancelled prior to June 1, 2026 will receive a full refund less a $100.00 Cancellation Fee. If the registration is cancelled between June 1st and fifteen days prior to the start date of the session, a refund of 50% of the Registration Fee will be given. No refund will be given within two weeks of the session start date, with the exception of a cancellation for a medical emergency (including a positive COVID-19 test result). If a cancellation is for medical reasons and a medical note is provided, only the $100.00 Cancellation Fee will be held and the rest of the Registration Fee will remain as a credit on the camper’s account (to be used within one year). Campers leaving camp mid-session due to medical or behavioural reasons will not receive a refund. NOTE: Camps offered in the spring, including Dad & Kids Camp in June must be cancelled 6 weeks in advance in order to receive a full refund less the $100 admin fee. Cancelling from 6 weeks to 2 weeks before camp, 50% fees will be refunded.
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Yes. Families will get a discount of $50 off the second and subsequent children registered in Kids Camps & Youth Camps. All Family Camps have a special “2nd Child” rate for second and subsequent children, and the amount is dependent on the length of the camp.
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In special circumstances, paper forms can be emailed to you by request. If you would like to be sent a paper form, please email info@fircom.ca.
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Yes! If you log into the online portal to register and the program you select is “Full,” you can instead choose “Add to Waitlist”. When space becomes available an automated registration link, valid for 48 hours will be sent to the next person on the list. If you are already on the waiting list, be sure to regularly check your email for news about program openings. Always check your junk mail folder just in case!
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Your application and financial information are kept confidential. Your registration information is managed through secure software and is password protected. Your registration information will be received by the Office Administrator, who will process your application. The Summer Camp and Program & Waterfront Directors will also have complete access to medical, behavioural and dietary needs, as well as contact information. The Camp Nurse and your child’s Camp Counsellors will receive the medical and personal (not financial) information they need to best care for your camper.
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Camp Fircom Society is constantly updating its website and promotional materials. We are proud of our programs and would like to be able to show pictures and video that demonstrate what we do. We take pictures adn video during all our programs. We ask for permission to use your image or your child’s image in promotional material, and on our website to promote the benefits of Camp Fircom Society's camps.
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Specific instructions will be sent out 3-4 weeks before the start of camp on how to authorize your child/teen with tuck funds. WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH. We will charge your Amilia account on the last day of camp, up to your approved amount, and an invoice will be sent to parents’ email accounts. We need parents to either log in to your Amilia account to pay balance, or send an e-transfer within 48 hours of receiving the invoice in order to avoid late fee charges.
Subsidy FAQs
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Camp Fircom can help subsidize any summer camp programs for families whose financial circumstances make them unable to pay the full fee for their child's camping program. You may apply for one session per person per summer.
The subsidy will vary depending on income and is determined based on a combination of annual income and family circumstance. While we are able to distribute substantial subsidies in accordance with circumstances, every family must pay some portion of their registration fee.
Please complete the subsidy application form as you proceed through the registration process, which includes sending us your most recent Notice of Assessment, in order for us to add you to the list.
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The Campership program is supported by individuals, United Church congregations, business partners, charitable foundations, and others who donate to the Camp Fircom Society.
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Your application and financial documents are kept confidential. Your application is managed exclusively by the Office Administrator who will contact you once your application has been received and reviewed.
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Yes. It is our goal that if possible, you continue to contribute more towards the camp fee each year.