The Return of Grade 8 Camp
Grade 8 Camp in 2019, held at Camp Elphinstone | Photo Credit: Flora Zhou
Grade 8 Camp has returned after a two year hiatus. The camp will be held at Stillwood Camp on May 24, and will be attended by approximately 245 grade 8s, 23 Peer Counsellors, and 20 teachers.
Put on hold for the past few school years due to COVID-19, this year’s grade 8 camp will differ in many ways from previous renditions of the outing.
The grade 8s will take buses to the Chilliwack area, near Cultus Lake, to get to Stillwood Camp. The ride will be “no more than just an hour, hour and a half” according to Mr. C. Smith (Counselling). The camp is not an overnight trip, but it does include lunch and dinner, and has a variety of activities such as high ropes, field games, ziplining, archery, laser tag, bubble soccer, arts and crafts, and more.
In the past, grade 8s have gone to Camp Elphinstone on the Sunshine Coast. This year, it was switched to Stillwood Camp to avoid the cost of ferry rides. “The camp used to be an overnight trip, which I kind of wish it still was, [...] but kids had to pay too. This year, you don't have to pay.” Mr. Smith said. He explained that this year, the camp is fully paid for through government funding.
“We've changed things a little bit [this year]”, Mr. Smith said. Students used to be in the same groups for the whole trip, but now they will be with different people in their bus, activity, and eating groups. “We also have some time built in for kids to just hang out a little bit, because that's where kids meet each other and talk.”
“One of the big things that's huge about our camp is it builds community,” said Mr. Smith. He thinks of it as a ”chance for the kids to get to know teachers better, the Peer Counsellors as well.” In previous years, grade 8 camp was held in October and it helped everyone meet each other at the beginning of the year.
“I feel like I don't really know grade 8s outside the mini [school] super well yet, and I could get to know them better when I go,” said Luke Savage-Catlin (8).
Many grade 8s commented about all the different activities they’ll get to try, such as bubble soccer and laser tag. Jacob Nishi (8) is most excited to do “things that [he doesn’t] normally get to do.” He explained, “My experience with past camps were good, so I'm hoping this one lives up to my expectations.”
Other grade 8s are excited to be in a different environment during school. “Getting outdoors is just fun for me!” said Maddy Tang (8). “I did do camp in grade 7 and it was fun, so I'm excited to try it again with new people.”
“I like seeing the kids running around having a good time,” said Mr. Smith. He hopes the grade 8s will be able to make connections and encourages them all to come to camp so they can attend “the most fun thing of the year.”