With a solid streak of hot weather and the end of the school year fast approaching, moms and dads will soon be tasked with figuring out how to keep their kids occupied during summer break.
Luckily, in Whistler and the rest of the Corridor, there are plenty of opportunities for your kids to stay active and engaged-not to mention have fun and create priceless memories-during the hottest months of the year.
From sports to art to outdoor adventures, here are just a few of the many camps to send your kids to this summer:
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WHISTLER VALLEY SNOWBOARD CLUB/WHISTLER BLACKCOMB GLACIER SUMMER CAMP
DATES: JUNE 25-JULY 14.
AGE: 10 years and up
PRICE: Inquire for more information
Following the beloved Camp of Champions' closure last summer after 28 years, the longtime local snowboard club teamed up with Whistler Blackcomb to fill the void on Blackcomb Glacier. Now, it's returning for a second year.
If your child is looking to nail down a few more tricks in the terrain park before next winter, email rob@whistler valleysnowboadclub.ca for more information.
http://www.whistlervalleysnowboardclub.ca/index.html
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WHISTLER MOUNTAIN SKI CLUB SUMMER T-BAR CAMPS
DATES: MAY 31-JULY 12
AGES: U10 to FIS levels
PRICE:$750-$980
Using the Whistler T-bar, the local ski race club aims to take advantage of a good winter snow pack, ideal terrain for technical training and speed work in both slalom and giant slalom disciplines throughout these three-day long camps. Limited athlete numbers allows for quick turn around and high volume. The camp fees include lift access, lane grooming/terrain builds, salt, courses/gates, coaching, video and review, dryland training, and BBQ at WMSC headquarters.
https://wmsc.info/summer-race-camps/
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MOMENTUM CAMPS
DATES: JUNE 9-JULY 17
AGES: 9 and up
PRICE: Ranges from $1,795 to $3,095
Also located on Blackcomb Glacier, Momentum focuses on mogul, slopestyle and freeride ski training for both recreational and competitive skiers of all ages and levels.
Their private terrain park is packed with rails, jumps and two giant air bags to help campers progress their tricks safely, along with bump lines, an absorption tank and a progression of jumps to help skiers improve their confidence and technique in the moguls.
The camp is renowned for its world-class coaching, including an impressive list of Olympians, World Cup skiers and top pros with multiple X-Games and Olympic medals.
They also offer an action sports Film and Photography camp, special Girls Week and Adult-Only Camp.
Call 1-800-949-7949 or visit their website, https://www.momentumskicamps.com/.
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WHISTLER OUTDOOR VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION (WOVA) CAMPS
DATES: JULY 10-12, JULY 31-AUGUST 2, AUGUST 21-23
AGE: 14-17
PRICE: $150 per player
WOVA's goal is to introduce youth to the sport of beach volleyball, familiarize them with the beach court, teach them how to move in the sand as the game develops, foster enthusiasm and help develop their confidence so that they can discover a passion for the game that will have them enjoying outdoor volleyball for years to come. The progressive three-day camps include fundamental skills, team work and games, with a tournament on the final day.
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RISE & SHINE: CAPTAINS CAMPS
DATES: JULY-AUGUST, dependent on gender/age group
AGES: 13-18
PRICE: $1,000 (financial assistance is available through the Rise & Shine Foundation)
This is the camp for soccer players with the desire to develop not only their on-field abilities, but leadership skills as well. Led by former Vancouver Whitecaps captain and U.S. national team star Jay DeMerit, participants can expect elite soccer training on the field, all-encompassing life-skills and leadership training off the field from superstar mentors and nutrition education through hands-on cooking classes and preparation of meals-they'll even get their creative juices flowing by designing and building their own training equipment!
The camp is operated out of DeMerit and wife Ashleigh McIvor-DeMerit's cabin at the foot of Mount Currie, where participants will camp out on-site for the week.
Participants should be registered for a gold level or higher team.
https://www.theriseandshinefoundation.com/sports-camps
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WHISTLER YOUTH SOCCER CLUB SUMMER CAMPS
DATES: JULY 2-6, 16-20, AUGUST 13-17
AGES: 5-17
PRICE: $120-$150
For soccer players looking to improve their skills and have fun at the same time. Experienced coaches will help campers develop their technical and tactical skills as well as playing team-building games.
http://www.whistlersoccer.com/clubs/1858/pages/119350
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WHISTLER TENNIS ACADEMY
DATES: JUNE 26-SEPTEMBER 1
AGE: 4-17
PRICE: $265 per week, $65 daily drop-in (+gst) (Locals discount available)
Coaches are trained to keep your kids moving and learning throughout these five-day, half-day camps, with skill level-specific camps available for all ages and abilities. Camps include weekly awards and a tournament day, with indoor courts available for rainy days.
http://whistlertennis.com/kids-teens/summer-camps/
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WHISTLER GOLF
DATES: JULY 2 - AUGUST 16
AGE: 7-16
PRICE: $299 half day, $599 full day
Whistler Golf's four-day half- and full-day schools will include golf instruction for the junior that focuses on fundamentals, safety, etiquette, rules and fun. Each junior will receive a Nike golf shirt and hat, while all golf schools are led by C.P.G.A. Teaching Professionals.
For more information, visit https://www.whistlergolf.com/academy/
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BIG SKY GOLF
DATES: JULY 9-11, JULY 23-25, AUGUST 13-15
PRICE: $249+gst
These annual three-day camps at the Pemberton course are a great starting point for prospective golfers looking to be introduced to the game's root fundamentals, as well as basic rules and etiquette on the course and in the clubhouse. Single-day weekly camps and custom private junior camps are available as well.
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WORCA DIRT CAMPS
DATES: JULY 2-AUGUST 31
AGE: 6-15
PRICE: $359
(There is a $100 discount for children attending all Whistler or Pemberton schools and second home owners in Whistler)The focus of the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association's Dirt Camps is safety, fun, and mountain bike skill development, in that order. Your child will be encouraged to develop in all three of these areas, while each camp is capped with a 5:1 kid to coach ratio. The camp's components include skills and drills, trail exploration and trail etiquette.
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WHISTLER BLACKCOMB DFX CAMPS
DATES: JUNE 25-AUGUST 31
AGE: 5-12
PRICE: $599 per week
(Discounts available for Sea to Sky students, buy two weeks of camp and get the third free)These five-day camps are a great way for your kids to experience the thrill of both cross-country and downhill mountain biking, for beginner through expert riders. Price includes lift, lessons and lunch.
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MOUNTAIN SKILLS ACADEMY SUMMER CAMPS
DATES: Teen camp JULY 22-27, Kids camp AUGUST 8-10
AGES: Teens 13-18, Kids 7-12
PRICE: Teens $1,499, Kids $749
These overnight activity-based adventure summer camps give children the opportunity to explore life outdoors through high quality mountain experiences. The action-packed schedule includes Via Ferrata climbing, hiking, waterfall tours, a Sea to Sky Gondola excursion, a low ropes course and sports activities and more. Teen summer camps also include a glacier discovery hike and Peak to Peak Gondola experience, rock climbing, canoeing, and an aboriginal education program. Both camps are closely supervised by professionally certified guides, and designed to create unique and special moments in a safe and fun nature-based environment.
https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/adventure-summer-camps/
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WHISTLER SPORTS ACADEMY KIDS COMBO CAMPS
DATES: JUNE 18-AUGUST 31
AGE: 5-14 (Kiddy combo camp available for ages 3-5, leadership camp available for ages 13 and up)
PRICE: $449+gst
Kids combo camps uniquely combine top-quality morning sports programs with fun-filled afternoon paddle sports and mountain adventure activities. All Kids Combo Camps sports and watersport activities are closely supervised and coached by top certified instructors and guides. 'Sports' include mountain biking, tennis, sailing, trampoline and gymnastics, jiu-jitsu, dance, 'survivor series' adventure, and theatre. There's even a 'combo club' option for families who'd like to join for two days a week all summer long.
https://www.whistlersportsacademy.com/whistler-kids-combo-camps.php
LB PRODUCTIONS THEATRE CAMP SERIES
DATES: JULY 23-27 AND AUGUST 13-17
AGE: 5-14
PRICE: $260
Is your child filled with creative energy or untapped talent just waiting to burst? LB Productions' Theatre Camp Series will give them the opportunity to sing, dance, act, make sets, and do arts and crafts. Campers will also go on daily outings and-drumroll, please-put on a show each Friday.
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AWARE NATURE CAMPS
DATES: JULY 3-AUGUST 24
AGE: 6-9
PRICE: $49/day
AWARE's Nature Camp offers kids a unique opportunity to connect with Whistler's natural environment. Sign up can be for a day, a week or the whole summer. Each week will focus on a different theme, while all campers will participate in nature games, crafts, unstructures nature play, exploration, crafts and small group activities.
http://www.awarewhistler.org/project/whistlernaturecamp/
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THE POINT ARTIST-RUN CENTRE CHILDREN'S SUMMER ART CAMPS
Into the Groove Music Camp with Papa Josh
DATES: JULY 16-20
AGES: 10 and up
PRICE: early bird rate $300 until June 4
A fun, active way for students of any instrument to play in a band, develop their sense of rhythm and deepen their understanding of music. From rock to swing, funk, hip-hop and more with acclaimed musician and instructor Papa Josh Suhrheinrich.
Music, Movement & Muppets with Bethany Parsons and Stacey Van de Water
DATES: JULY 30-AUGUST 3
AGE: 8 and up
This camp includes singing, stretching and dancing everyday followed by designing and making your own meaningful Muppet puppet! Your child will create a character and bring that character to life. Camp leader Bethany Parsons is an accredited music therapist and talented artist, and Stacey Van de Water is a Montessori school teacher with a masters in education. The camp focuses on meaningful emotional expression through art, movement and music.
Children's Expressive Arts Camp with Aude Ray
DATES: AUGUST 6-10
AGE: 8 and up
PRICE: Early bird rate $300 until June 25
Multi-talented artist Aude Ray immerses young aspiring artists in everything from music and theatre creation to drawing, painting, set-building, jewellery-making and more, followed by a performance on Saturday, August 11 at 1pm as part of the Flag Stop Theatre & Arts Festival.
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AUDAIN ART MUSEUM SUMMER ART CAMPS
DATES: JULY 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, JULY 30-AUGUST 3, AUGUST 6-10, 13-17
AGE: 6-12
PRICE: $160+gst for five days or $35+gst per day
Looking for an inspiring setting to explore your artistic side this Summer Break? Back by popular demand, the Audain Art Museum will be offering a variety of half-day art camps for children ages 6 to 12. Each camp has been uniquely designed to incorporate different drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media projects, while encouraging young artists to discover and create in a fun studio environment. Themes include 'From the Everyday to the Extraordinary,' 'POP! Goes Art' and 'Artistic Abstraction.'
https://audainartmuseum.com/summer-art-camps/
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RESORT MUNICIPALITY OF WHISTLER YOUTH CAMPS
DATES: JULY 3-SEPTEMBER 1
AGE: 2-12
PRICE: $30-$50 per day
Whether it's adventure, outside exploration, crafts, cooking, biking, swimming, or good old fashion summer fun that your child loves, there is a summer camp for him or her. Summer camps have weekly themes and build our week around the theme including the main activity. The municipality offers a flexible registration program so you can pick and choose which days you would like your child to attend.
https://www.whistler.ca/summer-camps
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PEMBERTON & DISTRICT RECREATION SERVICE
DATES: JULY 3-AUGUST 31
AGE: 3-16
PRICE: Ranges from $30 per day to $180 per session, varies by camp
Whether your child is into canoeing, art, theatre, dance, soccer, sewing or even princess tea parties, the Pemberton & District Recreation Service summer adventure camps have something for them, with a variety of single- and multi-day camp options for a wide range of ages.
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For more on summer camps, pick up this week's issue.
