Blue Lake Camp Programs

SUMMER CAMP

July 7th-August 9th, 2013

Make Friends!

Have Fun!

Whether you are a new camper or a seasoned veteran, an avid outdoor enthusiast or first time adventurer, Blue Lake has something special in store for you.

At Blue Lake, we cater our daily programs to accommodate each unique individual and offer several specialized programs that you can participate in during your stay. You’ll take part in challenges and games that will build leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. You will go on an overnight hike and enjoy a true wilderness experience away from the camp facility. Forest and environment education is one of the main focuses of Blue Lake and the EcoFun programs are offered in a way to make exploring the world around you exciting and hands on.

Make new friends, investigate the forest around you, and experience never before seen games and challenges that will potentially change your outlook on life.

Bring your mountain bike and helmet and ride through our extensive forest trails.

At Blue Lake you can customize your stay! Our flexible attendance schedule allows you to stay for one week or for the entire summer! Whether you are an avid outdoor person or new to the outdoors, you’ll find summer camp at Blue Lake is designed on an individual basis. From canoeing to mountain biking to swimming, from learning about the forest and environment to just sitting around the campfire with your favourite counselor, Blue Lake has something for everyone.

If you are between the ages of 14 and 18, participate in the Junior Outdoor Youth Leadership Program (JOYLS) or the Outdoor Youth Leadership Program (OYLs) and learn how to take initiative, lead, cooperate, and repeatedly triumph during challenging situations.

SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS

ECOFun Programs
(Forest and Environment Education)

Our EcoFun programs are designed to teach you more about our forests and environment and allow you to enjoy the outdoors with campers your age. Every camper that comes to Blue Lake gets to take part in Ecofun lessons. Activities are done in small groups with the focus of the program varying depending on age.

7-9 year olds learn about soil, trees, water, and wildlife.
10-11 year olds learn orienteering, recycling, conservation, and survival skills.
12-13 year olds learn about Ecosystem Management.

Recreational and Social Programs

Aside from Ecofun, recreation and social programs are often the most memorable for campers coming to summer camp. Although many of these activities might seem like typical camp activities, they are done in an extraordinary way by our counseling staff. Once you experience a Blue Lake Campfire, you will realize the true magic that Blue Lake has to offer.

Take a look below to see a list of what we offer campers both recreationally and socially.

Campfire
Swimming
Canoeing
Arts&Crafts
Large Group Games (Capture the Flag)
Challenges
Talent Shows
Cabin Group Activities
Imagine That
Theme Days
Out-Trips
Fishing (requires own rod and tackle)

Fore more information on our Summer Camp Programs check out the Summer Camp webpage.

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

JOYLS - Junior Outdoor Youth Leadership skills for 14-17 year olds - runs for 12 nights (July 14-26)
OYLS - Outdoor Youth Leadership School for 15-18 year olds- runs for 12 nights (July 14-26)
Personalized Leadership Training for groups (call us and we will work with you to set up a unique program catered to your goals and objectives)
Winter BLAST-Blue Lake Adventure Skills Training. Offered during March break for 14-19 year olds.

Outdoor Youth Leadership Schools (OYLS)

NEWS FOR BLUE LAKE'S OUTDOOR YOUTH LEADERSHIP SCHOOLS (OYLS):

JOYLS (Junior Outdoor Youth Leadership Program) July 14-26 2013 :

New for 2013: JOYLS is now a 12 day program.

14-16 year-old can take part in the Junior Outdoor Youth Leadership Program. JOYLS is a precursor to the Outdoor Youth Leadership (OYLS) Program and focuses on developing leadership and team-building skills. Participants will go on a journey of self-discovery while learning specific outdoor and leadership skills/strategies. Detailed information on JOYLS will be posted soon! There are only 10spaces available for this exciting program, so register early!

OYLS (Outdoor Youth Leadership Program) July 14-26 2013:

New for 2013: OYLS is now a 12 day program.

A program for youth aged 15-18 who have taken the JOYLS program. This program features a variety of wilderness backpacking and camping training followed by a two night hike into the mountains, a canoeing day trip, along with many opportunities for leadership development. This program will help participants to develop their leadership, communication, risk management, problem solving, trip preparation and wilderness skills. Become part of a tight knit group and push your personal limits! There are only 10spaces available for this exciting program, so register early!

Personalized Leadership Training

Leadership, trust building, survival, team development - all planned in conjunction with the group leader to engineer a positive, dynamic learning experience for any group. Facilitated by experienced staff, Blue Lake can work with groups of all ages and focuses to become a tight knit group, working on communication, team work, trust, personal growth and conflict resolution. Let us guide you on a journey of working together to overcome challenges, grow as a unit and individually, and gain new confidence as individuals and as a group. The group leader can personally design the program to focus on what they want their group to get out of their time at Blue Lake.

"My leadership class had an amazing experience...they were most impressed with the diversity of the games/activities and the enthusiastic but relaxed approach that you presented. I was impressed with the flow and energy of the day and how I was encouraged to participate as well...this was a great way for us to cover different leadership styles, ice breakers, communication, and problem solving (taking little school time)...the students and I were able to learn at the same time."

- Becca Wright from David Thompson Secondary School

Winter BLAST! (Blue Lake Adventure Skills Training)- March 17 - 23, 2013

Develop Winter Technical and Leadership Skills!

During March break, Blue Lake is running a new winter technical skills and leadership program for youth aged 14 to 19. This course will take participants on a journey of adventure, leadership development, and personal growth. Throughout this 7 day program, participants will experience what it`s like to be part of a dynamic and energetic team. They will develop winter outdoor technical and safety skills, and receive training and workshops taught in an experiential manner onsite at the Blue Lake Centre, and gain practical back-country experience. Lessons will include: winter camping and survival, back-country safety, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow shelter building, risk management, and more! All participants will receive certification in Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 from the Canadian Avalanche Association. Winter BLAST will teach participants new ways to approach problems, and overcome challenges through participation in various initiatives and recreation activities. Through this program, participants will also be able to develop their leadership and teamwork skills including communication, problem solving, motivation, group management, critical thinking, self esteem building, teamwork, reflection, and conflict resolution.

During this 7-day winter technical skill and leadership development program you will gain:

· Certification in Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 from the Canadian Avalanche Association

· Trip preparation and winter camping skills

· Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing experience

· Back-country safety skills

· Snow Shelter building skills

· Risk Management skills

· And more!

A challenging and rewarding experience,

Winter BLAST will help you develop skills in:

· Advanced Leadership

· Team-building

· Group management

· Communication

· Problem Solving

· Critical thinking

· Confidence

· Independence

This winter youth leadership program involves 5 days of intense training at the Blue Lake Centre, followed by a 2 day trip into the back country to stay in a 'Base Camp' of snow shelters built by the group. The back-country portion of this program will take place on a pre-determined route which is classified as Low-Risk, making it a safe and stable winter camping environment. Instructors of this program possess a high level of training and experience.

SCHEDULE:

Days 1 to 4: These days will be spent at the Blue Lake Centre where you will learn necessary technical and safety skills required for winter camping in the back country. You will become part of a tight-knit group through participation in various team-building exercises and lessons.

Days 2 and 3: Participants will receive certification in Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 from the Canadian Avalanche Association

Days 5 and 6: The group will leave the Blue Lake Centre and ski and snowshoe to a back-country destination. You and your group will set up camp, construct a snow shelter and settle into winter camping.

During the 2 days spent in the back-country, you will have the opportunity to apply the skills learned earlier in the week, and gain valuable leadership skills.

Day 7: Break camp and travelling back to the trailhead where you will participate in a final wrap-up before leaving the centre and heading back to Cranbrook.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE! Apply Now! Space is limited.

(For eligible participants, scholarships covering up to 85% of the program cost are available).

Participants will be selected based on their interest in developing their leadership and winter back-country safety skills, as well as their drive to have a positive impact on their communities. All interested participants must submit an application to Blue Lake by Tuesday February 26th, 2013.

For more information check out our Winter BLAST page.

Supported by:

Dr. Bernhard Driedger