If you’re wondering what your kids will get up to this summer, Victoria has an abundant selection of summer programs and camps. As a parent, you can choose to either drop your kids off at day camp or send them packing for the entire summer. There are plenty of options too, whether your kids are interested in sports, the outdoors, computers, or something different.
In this article, we’re going to highlight some of the best options for kids’ summer camps around beautiful Victoria, BC:
Vikes Camps
The University of Victoria (UVic) hosts a number of youth camps for kids ages 5 to 17 years old. Making use of UVic’s idea outdoor recreation facilities and fields, Vikes Camp is run by experienced camp leaders that love to work with kids.
Vikes Camps are divided into 4 categories: Sport Development, High Performance, Recreation, and Climbing & Outdoor. Sport Development is the largest category, where you’ll find a range of fun sports and games, from archery to rugby to volleyball. The High Performance is more intense and designed for older kids, offering Girls Basketball (overnight), Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Youth Elite Soccer, and Speed & Agility. The Recreation category contains a big variety of skills and activities, such as Business Mindset, Feature Film Making, Girl Power, and TED-Style Public Speaking. Finally, the Climbing & Outdoor category has a bunch of camps that allow kids to spend quality time outside moving their bodies and enjoying nature.
Vikes camps run from July through August – some the entire summer long and others just for a few days, so you can custom build a summer camp schedule that works best for your family. Learn more about your options and registration on their website: Vikes Summer Camps.
STEM Camp
For kids interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), there’s an excellent camp option coming to the Island in 2024. STEM Camp is a not-for-profit summer camp with 54 locations across Ontario, and they’ve got plans to expand with two Vancouver Island locations in 2024 – one in Victoria and one in Sidney.
At STEM Camp, kids will be inspired by the world Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics by taking part in hands-on activities, fun experiences and engaging programming that encourages a sense of wonder. Children are introduced to STEM in a way that promotes discovery and curiosity, while leaving them with a sense of accomplishment.
For 8 weeks, kids will get to participate in fun field trips, while outreach groups and guests will visit STEM Camp to lead workshops. Visit their website to learn more about STEM Camp.
Camp Thunderbird Summer Camp
Operated by the YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island, Camp Thunderbird is the ideal spot for summer camp. Located in the Western Communities roughly a 1-hour drive from downtown Victoria, Camp Thunderbird is a fun, safe and nurturing environment where kids get to experience life outdoors.
The Camp Thunderbird Summer Camp is for kids who just finished grades K to 5 in June. Kids will spend all day from 9am to 3:45pm at Camp Thunderbird, and there is a bus to take them to and from the downtown Victoria Y or Westhills Y.
In groups of 8-10, kids will participate in a range of fun outdoor activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, archery, rock climbing, orienteering, hiking, swimming, and other nature activities. Kids will make plenty of new friends, and with a staff ratio of 1:5, kids will be guided and well cared for.
Learn more about pricing and scheduling on their website: Camp Thunderbird Summer Camp.
Camosun College Summer Camps
Camosun College is running summer day camps for kids for the first time in 2024. Making use of Camosun’s two beautiful campuses, these camps are designed to inspire curiosity and provide kids with an enjoyable, entertaining summer.
For 2024, Camosun is offering 3 very different summer day camps. The first one is called Comic Book, Superhero & Fantasy Camp. Designed for kids ages 5 to 14, this adventure camp is like no other. Without leaving campus, kids will spark their imagination, embark on real adventure, and become a hero in their own story.
The next Camosun summer camp is called Sports Camp. Also designed for kids ages 5 to 14, this camp is for all the mini athletes out there. Kids will be immersed in a range of different sports over the summer, but they’ll also build confidence in themselves, ignite a passion for sports, and unlock their potential.
Third is Art Camp. Built for creative kids ages 8 and older, Art Camp takes advantage of Camosun’s facilities, equipment, and inspiring environment, where kids will learn to hone their skills and bring their visions to life.
Learn more about the various Camosun Summer Camps.
Byte Camp
Byte Camp is for curious and creative kids with an interest in technology. For 20 years now, the team at Byte Camp has been offering programs for coding, music production, video editing, 3D modelling, animation, and more. While mixing with a balance of physical activity, Byte Camp’s mission is to help kids become productive and creative users of computers and other technologies – regardless of income level or background.
Summer camps last for a week at a time, designed for kids ages 9 to 14. Kids will build a strong foundation of skills, have a blast, and ignite their imaginations for years to come.
Byte Camp has a range of camps for kids to choose from, including:
- 2D Video Game Design
- Music and Video Production
- Introduction to Coding
- Introduction to Coding Level 2
- 3D Animation
- 3D Video Game Design
- Build an App
- Claymation Movie Production
- 3D Printing and Design
- Graphic Design & Printing
- Foundations in AI
Camps take place at the Byte Camp HQ on Chambers Street, the Juan de Fuca Rec Centre, and Oak Bay Rec Centre. Learn more about Byte Camp and their schedule of summer camps: Byte Camp.
Western Educational Adventures
Western Educational Adventures (WEA) hosts a number of summer day camps and overnight expeditions for kids ages 6 to 16. Their daytime summer camps take place in Victoria and are offered for 1 or 2 weeks. Their overnight summer camp programs take kids all over the Island for summer fun.
The Classic Victoria Day Camp runs 4 or 5 days (depending on long weekends). These camps are packed with outdoor fun, where kids will get to participate in a range of educational and fulfilling activities like swimming, canoeing, hiking, archery, geocaching, fire-building, shelter-building, camp cooking, rainforest/beach exploration, and more. Plus, kids have the opportunity to camp overnight.
The Adventure X Summer Day Camp is something a bit different and more challenging, designed for kids ages 9 to 13. Kids will take part in a fulfilling hike every Friday, plus participate in wilderness navigation, fishing, full day lake canoeing, paddle boarding, outdoor cooking, marine exploration, advanced archery, and more.
There are also Summer Expedition overnight camps, where kids can immerse themselves in forest canoeing, hiking or kayaking. These camps take place all over the beautiful Island, including Victoria, Jordan River, Port Renfrew, and Campbell River.
Learn more about Western Educational Adventures.
There are simply so many different activities, summer programs and camps for children in Victoria BC that parents should never have to hear that annoying summer complaint – “I’m bored”.
