VanDusen Nature Camps

Date: Saturday, May 14th
Time: 10:00am – 1:30pm

Owls and hawks and eagles oh my! Go searching for some of the elusive raptors that call the Garden home, learn how to identify some local species of these birds, and get a close-up look at what they might have had for lunch. Whether you’re an avid birder or just starting to learn, you’ll have a hoot with us!

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Date: Saturday, June 18th
Time: 10:00am – 1:30pm

Did you know that all bugs are insects but not all insects are bugs? Look down by your feet, in the water, and up at the sky for things that fly, crawl, skim, or burrow; From introductory classification to learning how these creatures grow and eat, we’re buzzing for you to join us in the Garden for a day of exploration!

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Date: Monday, April 25th
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm

Feeling bogged down? Water-logged? Downright swampy? Join us in the Garden to learn about the main types of wetlands found in nature, as well as the benefits that wetlands provide to living things and the environment around us. Dip a net in the water and go pond peering – a Camps favourite!

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Date: Thursday, June 30th
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm

As we move from spring to summer, VanDusen is bursting with different shapes, colours, textures, scents, and smells. Tap in to your inner artist and explore seasonal changes with games and sensory activities among the blooms; then, make a craft to bring a piece of the Garden home with you!

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Looking to extend your child or children’s day at camp?

Campers will have fun crafting, playing games, and participating in spontaneous activities led by our creative staff after their regular camp day is done. Campers may be picked up from After Care any time before 5:00pm.

To read more and register for After Care click here!

Fees:

For mobile friendly schedule please click here.

• Masks are no longer mandatory in all indoor public spaces in alignment with updates to the public health orders issued by the Provincial government. You are welcome to keep wearing masks, depending on your level of comfort.
• Masks are mandatory for all staff and volunteers working directly with youth.
• All VBGA staff are double-vaccinated.
• Camp planning ensures that games, crafts, and activities can all be done outdoors as Camps take place almost entirely outdoors as it is the safest place to be; this means campers will be asked to carry backpacks for up to 10 minutes at a time.
• Increased emphasis on hand hygiene and physical distancing; reduction of shared materials.
• Increased cleaning and sanitation in camp spaces and of camp materials in accordance with the VGBA’s COVID-19 Health, Safety and Sanitation Policy.
• Campers will have access to outdoor porta-potties and handwashing stations to decrease use of shared indoor washrooms (still available but limited).
• We are unable to provide 1-on-1 support for participants at this time due to the current program format – please contact us for more information.

Please consider these changes when determining if our programs are the right fit for your child. 

Children under 12 years old do not require proof of vaccination to attend camps, but accompanying parents or guardians in families that have returned to Canada from international travel in the last 14 days must provide proof of double-vaccination.

If you would like to cancel your registration, please provide a written request at least three weeks (21 days) in advance of the start of the program(s) to nfriedmann@vandusen.org. If we receive the request with the required notice and are able to fill the spot, we will provide a refund minus a $15 administrative fee. If we receive the request with the required notice and are unable to fill the spot, we will provide an equivalent credit to be used in future programs, valid for 365 days.

No refunds or credits (either complete or partial) will be issued for the following:

• Requests made with less than three weeks’ (21 days’) notice.
• Requests made over the phone, by voicemail, or in person.
• Expulsion due to disruptive/unsafe behaviour or similar.
• Absence from a program due to illness or COVID-19 symptoms, family matters, injury, travel, or similar.
• Individual COVID-19 regulations, as mandated by the Federal and Provincial governments

As per current government orders, unvaccinated, partially-vaccinated, and fully-vaccinated children that have returned from international travel within 14 days of attending camps ARE permitted to attend camps as long as all accompanying adults are able to provide proof of at least double-vaccination status upon arrival at Gate 2. If the adults that recently returned from international travel are unable to provide proof of this vaccination status, the child/children will not be permitted into the child-care space for 14 days, and the account holder that registered the child/children will not be eligible for a refund or credit based on time missed.

Program cancellation by the VBGA due to Public Health Restrictions will result in education program credit equivalent to the value lost.

The VBGA’s mission is to connect people with plants and we believe all children should have the opportunity to experience nature-based camps regardless of family circumstance or income.

Apply for a bursary here or contact nfriedmann@vandusen.org or 604-257-8443 for more information.