• Blue Lake generates all of its own power through our own state-of-the-art Hydroelectric System!
• Blue Lake Centre is open to the public and available for group bookings year-round!
• There are over 100km of trails at Blue Lake, with 40km tracked for cross-country skiing in the winter!
• You can arrange for a tour of Blue Lake's facilities, contact us.
• Our Resource people are available to customize our educational or recreational programs to the particular needs of your group.
• The Society is primarily focused on delivering a variety of experiential education programs to the region’s youth by operating an outdoor school.

• Q: Who owns the Blue Lake Forest Education Society?
• Q:  Where is Blue Lake located?
• Q:  How old do you have to be in order to be a volunteer counselor at Blue Lake Camp?
• Q:  Are there any adults working at Blue Lake Camp?
• Q:  What precautions are taken to ensure campers' safety?
• Q:  What level of First Aid do Blue Lake Staff have?
• Q:  What happens to the health form I fill out for my child?
• Q:  My child is a vegetarian, does Blue Lake accommodate special dietary requirements?
• Q:  What waivers do I need to sign for summer camp?
• Q: Is the Blue Lake Forest Education Society involved in more than just Summer Camp?
• Q: Does the Blue Lake Forest Education Society operate year round?
• Q: How many staff members are employed by the Blue Lake Forest Education Society?
• Q: Where does funding for the Blue Lake Forest Education Society come from?
• Q: How can I get involved and/or support the Blue Lake Forest Education Society?

Q: Who owns the Blue Lake Forest Education Society?

A: The Society is not owned by any person or group. BLFES is a non-profit, charitable organization that is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who oversee the executive arm and all BLFES operations.

Board of Directors List:

Brett Salmon, Chairman

Curtis Bell, Vice Chairman

Guy Santucci, Secretary

David Lario, Director

Steven Sandahl, Director

Fay Sandahl, Director

Gerry George, Director

A:  Blue Lake office is at 2279 Cranbrook St. N. Cranbrook (In the Tourist information Centre).  Blue Lake Centre is located 26 km West of Canal Flats.  click here for map

Q:  How old do you have to be in order to be a volunteer counselor at Blue Lake Camp?

A;  You must be at least 15 years old in order to be a volunteer counselor at Blue Lake.  Most Blue Lake counselors are between 16 and 19 years.

Q:  Are there any adults working at Blue Lake Camp?

A:  Yes!  Even though the Senior Staff's enthusiasm and rapport with the campers may make them appear younger, all Senior Staff are at least 19 years of age and most have varying levels of Post Secondary Education.

Q:  What precautions are taken to ensure campers' safety?

A:  Safety is always the #1 priority at Blue Lake.  An emergency vehicle is always on-site, and there is an emergency cell phone and radio phone system in place.  Blue Lake has a fully stocked First Aid room and a First Aid Attendant on-site at all times.  Risk Management is continually evolving at Blue Lake.  The Camp Director and General Manager constantly evaluate risks associated with camp and implement strategies to manage these risks. 

Q:  What level of First Aid do Blue Lake Staff have?

A:  All Senior Staff hold current Occupational First Aid Level 3 or equivalent certification.  All counselors are certified in Standard First Aid and CPRC during staff training.

Q:  What happens to the health form I fill out for my child?

A:  A copy of the Health form is sent to camp with important information highlighted (ie: allergies, medical concerns) where it is reviewed by the Camp Director and the First Aid attendant and needs are addressed.

Q:  My child is a vegetarian, does Blue Lake accommodate special dietary requirements?

A:  Yes.  Blue Lake's cook is able to adapt to meet a diversity of meal requirements as long as we are notified in advance of the child's arrival at camp.  If your child has specific dietary needs (ie:  allergies, vegetarian, diabetic) please let the office know at the time of booking.

Q:  What waivers do I need to sign for summer camp?

A:  If your child is under 13, you only need to sign a "Warranty and Consent of Parent/Guardian" waiver.  If your child is 13 or over, then you need to sign a "Warranty and Consent of Parent/Guardian" waiver AND the child must sign a "Minor's Acknowledgment of Risks and Responsibilities". 

Q: Is the Blue Lake Forest Education Society involved in more than just Summer Camp?

A: YES! BLFES is involved in a multitude of different activities and operations including: education program facilitation, facility rentals, forest and environment research, leadership programs, experiential training for organizations and corporations, fundraising, project development, community capacity building, youth development, presentations and networking initiatives, as well as numerous community partnerships that coincide with the Society's mission.

Q: Does the Blue Lake Forest Education Society operate year round?

A: Yes. The Blue Lake Centre is available year round and the Society is constantly working on a variety of projects and operations. Although the number of staff employed by the Society fluctuates heavily throughout the season, Blue Lake is always in operation, and usually extremely busy.

Q: How many staff members are employed by the Blue Lake Forest Education Society?

A: BLFES employs numerous staff throughout each fiscal year. Permanent employees include: Executive Director(Kelly Diamond), Administration (Heather Stuart) and Site Coordinator (TBA). Seasonal Employees include: Camp Coordinator (1) Cook (1),  Senior Staff (3), Senior Counsellors (12), and Junior Counsellors (24+).

Q: Where does funding for the Blue Lake Forest Education Society come from?

A: Funding comes from grants, sponsorships, donations, memberships, and user fees.

Q: How can I get involved and/or support the Blue Lake Forest Education Society?

A: There are numerous ways that you can support BLFES including membership to the Society, sponsorships, financial donations, in-kind support, and/or volunteer hours. BLFES can issue charitable donation receipts for all financial and in-kind donations and the Society is always looking for volunteers to help out at Work Bees and other events. Contact the Blue Lake Office to discuss some options and figure out what works best for you.