An exciting and intergenerational week of camps in partnership with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation, Ayas Menmen and the David Suzuki Foundation.

I7imesh eskaku7 ta Skwxwù7mesh na7 ya Chá7elkwnech

(Walking with Skwxwù7mesh at the Village of Chá7elkwnech)

Camp Chá7elkwnech (pronounced cha-ULK-nach) is offered in partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation, Ayes Menmen, and the Squamish Nation. The following programs are a part of this camp: Junior Camp, Senior Camp, Teen Camp and Camp Suzuki Adult Program.

Camp ChÁ7elkwnech: Junior, Senior & Teen Camps

PARTICIPANTS:

Junior Camp: Campers who have completed Grade 3 or 4 (Ages 8 to 10)

Senior Camp: Campers who have completed Grade 5 or 6 (Ages 10 to 12)

Teen Camp: Campers who have completed Grades 7 through 9 (Ages 12 to 15)

COST: $720.00 + GST

This will be an incredible week at camp! Come and make new friends and get to know Gambier Island/Chá7elkwnech while immersed in Squamish/Skwxwù7mesh culture. Indigenous and non-indigenous campers, Camp Counsellors, and facilitators will walk together through this week of joyful play and exploration. Each age group will be part of a focus activity that they will work on throughout the week. They will be guided in this project by Squamish leaders - both elders and youth ambassadors. For example, campers may make their own drum, weave cedar, or create their own salve to get rid of mosquito bites!

Cabin groups will journey through all activities together. Every camper will have a chance to go paddling on the ocean and enjoy a variety of classic Camp Fircom activities. All age groups (Junior, Senior and Teen) will come together for campfires and camp-wide games in the evening!

Campers will also have the special and unique opportunity to share and learn Skwxwù7mesh language, drumming, and dance. By the end of the week everyone will have new friends, awesome memories, and a deepening connection with the Skwxwù7mesh people’s culture and land they have cared for over generations.

Ayas Menmen and the Squamish Nation, Camp Fircom, and the David Suzuki Foundation have collaborated to create one incredible week of camp. Chá7elkwnech is the original name of Gambier Island in the Squamish language. The name reminds us that we are brought together by the power of long-held sacred Skwxwù7mesh land.

Come learn the Orca song with us and celebrate the incredible history, culture, ecology, and community that is the Howe Sound/ Atl’kitsem!

PICK UP & DROP OFF

Checking In/Out

All campers must be signed in & out by their legal guardian, unless we have received written permission in advance.

Boat Departures

Water taxis will begin departing Horseshoe Bay on Monday morning at 9:30am, and will be returning on Friday between 11am and 12 noon (arriving in waves).

Exact times will be sent in an email to all campers, 3-4 weeks before the first day of camp.

**It takes several runs of water taxis to move all campers on and off the island. We ask for patience as campers will be returning from camp on different boats. Camp Counsellors will stay with campers in Horseshoe Bay until the camper’s parents/guardians arrive.

Bus Transportation

Camp Fircom offers a camp bus that picks up and drops off in East Vancouver and West Vancouver to bring campers to/from the water taxis in Horseshoe Bay.

The bus will depart approximately at 8am from Lakeview United in East Vancouver, and 8:30 am from St David’s United in West Vancouver. Exact times will be sent in an email 3-4 weeks prior to the first day of camp. Please watch for this email as it sometimes ends up in spam folders.

If you would like this service, be sure to select it when registering online, or contact us at info@fircom.ca. SPACE IS LIMITED, REGISTER EARLY.
COST: $40.00 + GST (return trip)

Unanswered questions?

Check out our FAQ section or email us at info@fircom.ca