Summer Camp in Stanley Park

This post has been contributed by Michael Murray, Development Assistant with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”).

Summer Camp in Stanley Park

SPES day camper investigates sap sucker holes.
Photo by Don Enright.

Blue skies and soaring temperatures can mean only one thing: summer has returned to the Lower Mainland and parents everywhere are wrestling with the age-old question of what to do with their children for the summer holidays.

The Stanley Park Ecology Society may have the answer you’ve been looking for with the Stanley Park Eco Camps. “These camps are a great way to explore parts of the Park that very few people get to see,” says Dylan Rawlyk, SPES School Programs Manager.

Recent Studies have also shown the many benefits of connecting children to nature – from lowering stress levels to improving concentration and increasing physical fitness. If your child is in need of a nature fix, SPES is here to help.

SPES has a wide array of summer day camp programs sure to suit the interests of even the most discerning of nature lovers. Here’s a rundown of SPES’ weekly summer day camps for 7 to 11 year olds in July and August:

Let the forest be your muse with SEPS’ Art in Nature camp running July 16-20. Your child will channel their inner Monet as they paint the lily pads of Beaver Lake and make their very own paper maché nature mask to take home.

Exploring the beach at Lumberman’s Arch.
Photo by Brian Grover.

Water Wilderness July 23-27, explores Stanley Park’s beaches, creeks and wetlands and the various plants and animals that call these watery ecosystems home.

Another favourite is the Stanley Park Survivor camp teaching children how to camp responsibly, leaving a minimal footprint on the environment. This camp runs July 30 to August 3.

If you prefer to get your hands dirty, then the Stewards of Stanley Park is an excellent chance to explore some of the many varieties of flora found in the Park. Campers will conduct their own Citizen Science tests as they learn about the challenges facing urban parks. This camp is running August 7-10 and is filling up quickly.

Campers birdwatch at Beaver Lake.
Photo by Anthony Ho.

The Feathered Friends camp is great for the budding ornithologist in your house, running from August 20-24, this camp is an excellent opportunity for children to learn more about the many varieties of birds that call Stanley Park home.

The Park is home to four nesting pairs of bald eagles and an expansive great blue heron colony; it is also a nursery for songbirds, owls, and many other bird species. Campers will learn how to identify eggs, build a nest box and properly use binoculars.

All camps run 8:30am to 4:30pm rain or shine, and after care is available for an additional $20 per week. For the complete list of all SPES day camps and to register, check out the SPES website and enjoy your summer in the Park!

About SPES Saturday

As a member of the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”), I wanted to offer the organization an opportunity to share their news, events, and work so I created the “SPES Series” years ago. This is where SPES can contribute and share stories with my audience once a month. Follow SPES on Facebook for more information.