Camp Chá7elkwnech ANNOUNCEMENT August 23-26, 2021

Registration Opens Saturday, July 10th at 10 am!

We are pleased to announce that we are able to offer our Camp Chá7elkwnech program in August! Ayes Men Men and the Squamish Nation, Camp Fircom, and the David Suzuki Foundation have collaborated to create this incredible session of camp. This 3-night/4-day camp experience is open to children who have completed grades 3 to 8 during the last school year (2020/2021). Camp Cha7elknech will operate in a reduced capacity to ensure the health and safety of both campers and facilitators.

This will be an amazing week at camp! Come and get to know Gambier Island/Chá7elkwnech guided by Squamish/Skwxwù7mesh culture. Indigenous and non-indigenous campers, counsellors, and facilitators will walk together through this week of joyful play and exploration. 

Cabin groups will participate in activities together as a cohort, and will also eat their meals together in our outdoor covered dining area. Every camper will paddle in a kayak, canoe, or on a paddle board. Campers will also have an opportunity to participate in a variety of traditional camp activities (i.e., tie dye, archery, soapstone carving or forest games). We will all come together for campfires and camp-wide games in the evening!

Campers will dive deep into sharing and learning Skwxwù7mesh language, drumming and dance. By the end of the session, everyone will have new friends, awesome memories, and a deepened connection with Skwxwù7mesh culture.

Chá7elkwnech is the original name of Gambier Island in the Squamish language. The name reminds us that we are brought together by the power of the land and a desire to create new futures together. Come learn the Orca song with us, and celebrate the incredible history, culture, ecology, and community that is the Howe Sound/ Atl’kitsem!

*** Please note that the Camp Chá7elkwnech Kids Camp will be operating concurrently with the Camp Suzuki at Chá7elkwnech: Walking with the Squamish leadership camp for educators and other interested adults. All adults participating in this program will have a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sectors search completed and submitted to our organization prior to the camp session.