Run as a partnered program between WEA and Western Educational Adventure Society (WEAS), there is nothing more life-changing for kids than overnight summer camps. Campers learn valuable life skills like independence, confidence, teamwork, conflict management. 6 & 13-day, day long overnight sleep-away camps run Sunday afternoon to Friday afternoon. During each program, campers get to do a variety of fun activities including learning how to cook for the rest of the group in our rustic, wilderness-style kitchen! Participants choose and plan their own group activities like canoeing, kayaking, hiking, geocaching, fire-building, shelter-building, camp cooking, campfires, forest running games, swimming and more. In addition, 6-day groups go on a 1-night backcountry hiking trip, while 13-day groups go on a 4-night backcountry canoeing or hiking trip. Four our trips we go to exciting places like the Juan de Fuca trail, Kludahk Trail, Strathcona Park and Sawyward Forest Canoe Circuit. Try our unique and one-of-a-kind overnight camp program this summer!
Also, while our 6-day program is for almost anyone, the 13-day program is intended for kids with lots of energy who are physically fit and able to push themselves (within reason). For more info on physical fitness for 13-day camps, CLICK HERE.
The WEA Overnight Summer Camp Advantage - Click here
***Please note, the program location has or may have changed since this video was made***
| AGE | GENDER | PROGRAM LENGTH | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-13 | Inclusive | 6 days | |
| RATE | 6-DAY | 13-DAY | |
| Price Before May 15 | $995 + GST | $1,950 + GST | |
| Full Price | $1,495 + GST | $2,500 + GST | |
| PROGRAM | DATES | AVAILABILITY | |
| 6-Day 1 (Ages 9-13) | Jul 21 - 26, 2024 | Space Available | |
| 6-Day 2 (Ages 9-13) | Jul 28 - Aug 2, 2024 | Space Available | |
Availability updated Apr 5, 2024. Live availability can be found on our registration software.
| SHARE | ONLINE REGISTRATION | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| REGISTER NOW |
Call us now at 250-888-1622 and talk to a real person!! or, if you can't talk now, please click on the following button to take you to the contact information survey (takes 1 to 2 minutes to complete) and we will get back to you within 2-5 business days. If you are inquiring about financial assistance, Click here.
While we may run our overnight camp at another location (in the past at Camp Barnard in Sooke), we typically run our overnight camps at Camp Jubilee, 9548 West Coast Rd, Sooke, BC V0R 2L0. WEA's Victoria-based overnight summer camp 6-day programs run from 15:15 on Sunday to 15:15 on Friday, while the 13-day program runs until the following Friday. The overnight campers make their own schedule for the week, choosing the activities that interest them most and work best with their schedule. While at camp, kids have the option of doing all the activties the day campers may do and then some. They also get to do activities like night games, night hikes, explore, etc. as well as learn learning valuable skills like cleaning up after themselves, cooking and more. When on-trip, campers get to experience places like the Sayward Forest Canoe Route, Juan de Fuca trail and Strathcona Park.
| START/END | LOCATION | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Camp Jubilee, 9548 West Coast Rd, Sooke, BC | 15:15 |
| End | Camp Jubilee, 9548 West Coast Rd, Sooke, BC | 15:15 |
Below are informational packages for both our overnight programs. They are designed to give you a better idea about our overnight camps programs, including pick-up times, activities, etc. Please note that schedules, days, activities & trip locations may vary depending on the weather, logistics, group input and group dynamics.
6-DAY INFO PACKET 13-DAY INFO PACKET
Typically we require families to pick-up and drop-off their kids directly at camp. If you need transportation for your camper to and from camp, please Contact Us.
As we operate our programs outside and often in wilderness environments, it is essential that all families pack all items on our packing list. Failing to do so may compromise your childs safety and experience. Base items can be rented or loaned depending on your financial situation. Other items can be purchsed from WEA, for more information click the rental gear & add-on button below.
We believe that youth programming should be safe, fun and staffed by the best people in the industry.
"My 14 year old son had a great time at summer camp. It was a multi-age camp which is a bit unusual, but provides a unique experience for kids to learn and be a leader outside of their usual school age cohort. I like that the camp is fairly low-key and provides time for reflection and personal growth. I imagine this may be a less competitive atmosphere than some of the larger camps. The programming was good and varied. A great bonus from the camp was my son willingly offered to take out the garbage and recycling when he arrived home. He has continued to offer to do chores and contribute more to the household routines! Thanks Landon!"
- Karla Benson
Above all, our residential summer camp for kids is more fun than you can imagine! Youth get to experience so many different summer types of activities in an amazing outdoor environment! The rustic camp facility, located in the Hills west of Sooke & Victoria, B.C. has streams, fields, forests, fire pits, cooking shelters, and many other unique, rustic ammenities! Kids learn about nature, camping skills, leadership and more. The best part - they don’t even realize it!
***Please note, our facility is rustic. Youth sleep in canvas tents or other rustic-type buildings while at camp. We also believe in a community contribution approach. This means that the youth work together to solve their problems and adults encourage independence where possible. Additionally, showers and flush toilets/running water may or may not be available during the 6-day camp.***
"I am an 11 year old girl who attended camp last summer. I learned how to start a fire with just a match and what I could find on the forest floor, I improved my archery skills and I experienced canoeing for the first time. We helped cook and set up shelter. Landon was very funny and nice. He made me feel welcome. It was super duper fun."
-Cianna
Some level of hysical fitness is an important part of our overnight camps. Although most children are more than capable of doing our 6-Day Camp, 13-Day Campers require a much higher level of fitness. For more information on physical fitness for 13-Day camps, CLICK HERE.
At WEA, we are all about kids getting outside and experiencing the backcountry. Therefore, all of our children's overnight camp programs include a backcountry camping expedition. There is just no better way to facilitate life skills such as leadership, conflict resolution, meal planning, cooking and more! We understand that this may seem like a very intense experience, but we have found, without exception, that these backcountry overnights provide our youth with life-long, positive experiences! We have had 6 year olds successfully partake in our backcountry overnights. If you are still unsure or think this summer camp overnight camping trip may be too advanced for your child, please Contact Us.
6-day program During the 6 day overnight backpacking program for kids, the group will experience wilderness camping under a tarp or in the open air (weather permitting) for one (possibly more if the group desires) night. The setting will vary - it might be at a backcountry campground or it could be on a mountain top! Our campers learn about backcountry meal preparation and cooking, how to locate and set-up tarp shelters and other backcountry camping skills.
13-day programs During this two week long overnight summer camp, the group will go on a 5-day backpacking or canoe trip, likely on the Juan de Fuca Trail, in Strathcona Provincial Park or on the Sayward Forest Canoe Route. Our campers have multiple days to learn about and practice backcountry meal preparation and cooking, how to locate and set-up tarp shelters and other backcountry expedition skills.
Modern children & youth do not get very many opportunities to learn life skills including how to lead others, manage conflict and think for themselves. Western Education Adventure’s summer sleep-a-way camp focuses specifically on these life skills while teaching youth wilderness and outdoor adventure skills.
While every kid gets a taste of leadership, older campers (mainly teens) get more of an immersive leadership experience by being paired with their younger counterparts. Although they get to do all the same fun activities as the younger kids, they receive practical leadership experience through the process!
• Leadership • Decision Making • Conflict Management • Group Management • Route Planning • Navigation • Canoe and Water Safety • Canoe Rescues • Swimming • Kayaking • Archery • Camping Practices • Food packing • Cooking • Fire building • Knife and Stove Safety • Backcountry Equipment Maintenance
Western Educational Adventures takes safety seriously. Not only do we want our participants to have an exceptional time, but just as importantly, we want them to return home safe and sound. Western Educational Adventures staff are certified in high level first aid and have years of experience managing risk in the outdoors. You won’t find a more qualified kids summer camp staff team anywhere else!
As we swim in wilderness locations, we require all youth under the age of 9 to wear a lifejacket while swimming. Children over the age of 9 must have a swimming ability of level 5 or higher. We want to keep your kids safe and having fun!
We believe that a good experience starts with good nutrition. Proper diet and eating habits are lacking in today’s society - a result of readily available fast foods, processed foods and a lack of nutritional education. We strive to provide quality, simple, wholesome meals with limited processed ingredients – in addition to the occasional smores and limited other tasty treats. This is part of why we include our participants in all meal planning, purchasing and cooking.
We are also very experienced in dealing with dietary restrictions and serious food allergies. Great care is taken to avoid serious participant food allergens whenever possible. Where this is not possible, we take great care to avoid cross contamination of ingredients.
"Landon guided an overnight trip for our family on the Juan de Fuca trail. Healthy eating is important to us. Landon helped our kids build an outdoor oven and they were soon baking an amazing dinner. It’s an incredible feeling knowing that you can look after yourself in the outdoors."
-Carole Damnjanovic
My 6yr old son had a wonderful time at WEA’s summer day camp! The staff are amazing and supportive, very responsive to camper needs and dynamics. The week’s activities include incredible diversity, flexibility, skill building and fun adventures ensuring the kids are engaged, learning outdoor education, building self confidence and physical/emotional strength. WEA staff were also great at accommodating my son’s dietary needs for the overnight camp, making our family comfortable and relaxed for his first night away. Can’t wait for camp next year!!
-Gypsy Fisher
If you want to sign up, the process is simple. Here’s what you do:
Fill in your email and create a password
Input your information. This is a one time step, your info will be there for the rest of the summer!
Input your child (or children's information), select the program(s) you wish to register for.
**All personal information provided will not be shared with third parties unless it is relevant to the participants well being or quality of experience**
Call us now at 250-888-1622 and talk to a real person!! or, if you can't talk now, please complete the following contact information survey (takes 1 to 2 minutes to complete) and we will get back to you within 2-5 business days. If you are inquiring about financial assistance, Click here.
Prepped for the backcountry trip!
Stop shaking!, the apple keeps moving...
Practice makes perfect
Siblings bonding....
Now this is kayaking!
Building my very own wilderness retreat...
Give it another 2 minutes...
Game over for this little herbivore!
Geocaching - We found it!
Mama Mia!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! A WEA overnight specialty
Heading into the backcountry
WEA's version of the Sooke Potholes
Chilling on a secluded lake...
Dusk in the backcountry...
