A list of just a few reasons you should join YES Camp this Summer! 1. Participate in a Positive Peer Environment Some teens are lucky enough to belong to excellent schools, clubs, and extracurriculars that reinforce their need for belonging, friendship and growth, but for many teens these experiences are lacking. Too often our school environments are negative spaces where youth feel excluded, anxious or unable to be themselves. Camp offers teens a positive environment where t

For many teenagers, attending summer camp can be a life-changing experience – it’s a chance to make lifelong friends, learn more about yourself, and enjoy outdoor fun. However, it can sometimes be nerve-wracking. Perhaps it's your first time away from home, maybe you're uncertain about what to expect , or you might feel it’s ‘not for you’. The best thing about The YES is that there is a summer camp activity for everyone to enjoy. With a thoughtfully planned schedule, we offer

Morning Good morning! It’s my first day at camp - I’m excited. I’m scared. I’m wondering what the day will bring ! We’re beginning our day by gathering as a community for a meet and greet, helping everyone get to know each other. It makes me nervous, but everyone is greeting me with a smile and sometimes a hug. Maybe it isn’t so scary after all. In fact, I already learned a couple of new names, and there’s some really interesting people here. At 9 o’clock, we eat breakfast to

One of our absolute favourite and most popular summer camp activities is Tie Dye. We do it every year, and have incredible results. We’ve made the process as simple as possible, and we’d love to share the secrets of our success with you to Tie Dye at school, at camp, at home, or wherever you like. The biggest secret to tie-dyeing is having the right supplies, and getting high quality products. Here in British Columbia, we buy our materials at Maiwa on Granville Island, but

When I was younger, hearing the term ‘teen leadership activities’ often came with a sense of dread. Immediately I would assume that these activities would be boring and unmemorable; so I never wanted to participate, and thought of myself as far from a leader. I was never the loudest person in the room; I wasn’t one to raise my hand, and I would shudder at the thought of giving a speech in front of people. Maybe you’re feeling nervous just reading these thoughts, too. That all

Every year, I ask teenagers to help me define leadership or leadership skills. I ask them about the characteristics of a good leader using leaders they see in their lives everyday, or based on who they see in popular culture. Teenagers are excellent at answering this question. I can always fill a whiteboard or a flip-chart with insightful answers. Examples of Teen Leadership Skills It’s amazing how easy it can be to develop a list of excellent leadership qualities, and how di

The simple answer is, that this is a program teenagers need. I needed it when I was 14. The 85% of our volunteer staff team who are program alumni needed it when they were teens, and of the hundreds of youth who attend each summer, we hear over and over again that this program gave them essential skills, qualities, friendships, levels of support and experiences that they needed. The bigger question is, why do so many young people need this program, and what kinds of deficit

It seems like many teens these days are spending at least part of their summers taking high school courses, developing skills for their resumes and post-secondary applications, and taking on full or part-time jobs to save for their futures. While I commend these teens for their focus, perseverance and for making responsible choices, I also think it’s so important for teens to round out their education, growth and development with learning opportunities that focus on their sel

The cure for homesickness is camp itself, because at camp you can learn everything you need to know about finding your way home.

At The YES, we provide opportunities for young people to challenge themselves, build their self awareness, social skills, take a break from technology and reconnect with themselves, others and the natural environment. When I think about The YES, one of my favourite things about it is the location. Our program is located on Lake Cowichan, one of the largest fresh-water lakes on Vancouver Island. Every year, we’re so lucky to be able to return to learn, unlearn, and play on thi

The YES Leadership Academy and The YES Camps have winter programs that are fun, educational and transformational.