Summer camp FAQs
Summer camp details
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Contact Info
Office hours: 9 AM - 5 PM Monday to Friday
Phone: 1 (604) 358-0163
Email: camps@seasmartschool.com
It may be difficult to connect with your educator during the day, as they will be busy in the field with the kids! Our office team will make sure to redirect you to the appropriate educator.
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Camp Details
Location: Kitsilano Beach or Trout Lake
Time: 9am - 4pm, Monday to Friday (due to statutory holidays, there are no camps on Monday, July 1, or Monday, August 5, 2024)
Cost: $400 for 5-day camps; $320 for 4-day camps (bursaries available)
Lunch and snacks are NOT included
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Extreme Weather Policy
Sea Smart will keep families informed about potential changes due to extreme weather. These may include activities in the shade, low-activity days, water games, moving to an indoor location, half-days, or camp cancellations.
See our full Extreme Weather Policy linked below.
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Cancellation Policy
Withdrawals made 30+ days before the camp start date = Full refund
Withdrawals made between 29 days - 7 days before the camp start date = 50% refund
Withdrawals made 6 days or less before the camp start date = No refund
Please note that there is a $50 admin fee for all cancellations.
General FAQ
How do I register?
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Registration opens February 1, 2024. Forms to register will become live on this day.
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Ahead of registering, please confirm the intended date, location and age group for your children. Ensure you select the correct details on the registration form, and review the confirmation email with details after registration is complete. If there is an error, please contact camps@seasmartschool.com.
Payment can be made directly through our website via credit card. If you require alternative methods of payment, please contact us. If you require a bursary, please fill out this application form.
Confirmation emails will be sent through Squarespace, please check your spam.
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Please register your child for the same camp as their friend.
Each camp will operate as a cohort, so children registered in the same camp will be able to participate in all activities together.
We cannot guarantee that there will be availability for any camp, so please ensure you register early!
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Please note, if camps are full, you will not be able to register. Please try a different week or join the waitlist.
Bursary Applications
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Sea Smart’s summer camp bursary program is available to anyone who needs it. Campers can access a full bursary to cover the total cost of summer camp, or may access a partial bursary to help with the cost. Sea Smart does not require proof of income when bursaries are requested.
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Our bursary program is funded by generous donors as well as our camp add-on program. If you are able to support this program, please consider helping to send a child to camp by purchasing a camp T-shirt or Ocean Match cards on site, or by donating at seasmartschool.com/donate.
Do you offer single day camps?
No we do not offer single day camps. All of our camps are weeklong, from 9am - 4pm.
Due to statutory holidays, there are no camps on Monday, July 1, or Monday, August 5, 2024, and these weeks will be 4-day camps.
Where and when are camps?
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Kitsilano (Kits) Beach: Located in the Kitsilano neighbourhood, this beach features incredible views of the Burrard Inlet. There are washroom facilities with running water and flush toilets. Campers will be outdoors all day. Parking is extremely limited, especially during pick up times.
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Trout Lake (John Hendry) Park: In the heart of East Vancouver, Trout Lake is a bustling park featuring a lake, beach, and grassy recreation areas. The community centre has washroom facilities with running water and flush toilets. The park hosts a great diversity of plant and animal life, and is an amazing place to explore and discover urban nature! Campers will be outdoors all day.
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Please bring your child to our check-in area, indicated with signage, and meet with a Sea Smart educator each morning. There may be important information they would like to share with you. As well, you must come to the pick-up location each day, as we will not allow your child to leave until an approved adult is present.
Please arrive on time for pick up, as late fees apply.
Drop-off is between 8:50am and 9:05am
Pick-up is between 3:45pm and 4:00pm
If you need to drop off late or pick up early, please let your educator know in the morning or evening, or email camps@seasmartschool.com so we can ensure the group is available to greet you.
Why do you run Girls Only camps?
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Sea Smart embraces an inclusive definition of “women” and “girls” that includes people who identify as women, girls, trans, gender queer, gender non-binary, Two-Spirit, and gender questioning. An inclusive environment means all participants feel safe and supported, however they may identify. Please contact us if you have any questions about our Girls Only camps.
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Sea Smart’s Girls Only camps are for girls (as defined above) only to help address the vast underrepresentation of girls in science-related fields.
We welcome all children to our summer camps, and continuously strive to create safe and inclusive environments for all.
What will you do at camp?
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Sea Smart summer camps include:
Arts and crafts
Beach and nature explorations
Educational games related to a daily theme
Learning framed by the scientific method
Citizen science and conservation actions
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No Swimming
No Field trips (to ensure safety during COVID-19)
No Food - please ensure your child comes prepared with food, water, and snacks for the day
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All of our summer camp programming is designed by professional environmental educators to ensure all campers are learning about nature and science in a hands-on, participatory way, all while having a great time!
Each camp features games, crafts, experiments, and exploration to promote an understanding and appreciation for the natural world, and to ensure diverse learners are connecting with the program material.
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8:55 - 9:15 AM: Icebreaker games, welcome
9:15 - 10:15 AM: Exploration activity
10:15 - 10:30 AM: Snack, washroom break
10:30 - 11:15 AM: Craft
11:15 AM- 12:00 PM: Physical activity
12:00 - 1:00 PM: Lunch break
12:30 - 1:15 PM: Science activity or group game
1:15- 2:30 PM: Snack, washroom break
2:30 - 3:15 PM: Stewardship activity
3:15 - 3:45 PM: Reflection, wind-down
3:45 - 4:00 PM: Farewell, parent pick-up
What should my child bring to camp?
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A backpack
Nut-free lunch and snacks
2 litres of water in a reusable water bottle
Sunscreen and hat
Weather appropriate clothing and closed-toe footwear
Extra pair of clothes and underwear
A pencil case with art supplies (scissors, glue, pencils, crayons, markers, etc.)
Please label all items sent to camp to help minimize the amount of Lost & Found.
Please keep electronics, money and valuables at home.
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Sea Smart summer camps are held at public locations. There is no guarantee that lost items will be returned to your child. Any items found by Sea Smart will be returned to the best of our ability.
Electronics, money and valuables should be kept at home.
We recommend labelling items with your child’s name and/or phone number to ensure the best chance of the item being returned.
Can my 5-year old come to camp?
Although we advertise our camps for ages 6-10, we do allow five year olds that turn six by the end of the calendar year. If your five-year-old has a birthday on or before December 31, 2024, they may participate in Sea Smart’s Climate Champions, Sea Squirts, or Ocean Defenders camps.
Health & Safety FAQ
My child takes medication
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Only medication that is prescribed by a physician or is necessary to support an exceptionality is allowed at camp. All medication must be securely stored with Sea Smart Summer Camps staff, and not in a child’s backpack (with the exception of EpiPens). A parent/guardian must discuss medications with Sea Smart staff prior to the first day of camp.
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While all Sea Smart summer camp staff are First Aid certified, staff are not medical professionals and are not authorized to administer medication. Campers are required to self-administer medication with staff supervision and support. Medication may need to be given to Sea Smart Camps in pre-measured, labeled dosages. If your camper is not able to self-administer medication, please contact Sea Smart to discuss alternative options
Can my child with additional support needs join camp?
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Exceptionalities include but are not limited to physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, sensory impairments, and medical conditions.
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Please contact Sea Smart to discuss how we can best support your child. We would love to learn more about your child and the programming that will be engaging and enjoyable for them.
In all cases, advance notice is required, and in some cases our exclusively outdoor camps may be a limiting factor. We aim to be as accommodating as possible, but are limited by our capacity. We are working to improve this in the future; if you have any feedback or suggestions, please reach out.
Depending on the degree of support required, we may or may not have the resources to properly accommodate your child and still ensure a successful camp experience for all. As the safety and inclusivity of your child is our top priority, Sea Smart reserves the right to cancel and refund the registration of any child if Sea Smart and the Primary Contact cannot create a plan that ensures the child’s safe participation in our programming.
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Please see a summary of accessibility details below. If you are unsure if our camps are suitable for your child, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Sea Smart is not currently able to provide 1-on-1 support for campers, however support workers are more than welcome to attend with a camper
Kids must be able to go to the bathroom independently; we are unable to provide support
Our Kits Beach location takes place primarily on the beach, where the uneven terrain may pose a challenge for children with physical disabilities or mobility limitations
Our Trout Lake location has a flatter terrain, with more paved areas. These camps can potentially be adapted to suit children with mobility limitation - this will be assessed on a case by case basis, please reach out to us if this is the case for your child
Depending on the degree of support required, we may or may not have the resources to properly accommodate your child and still ensure a successful camp experience for all. As the safety and inclusivity of your child is our top priority, Sea Smart reserves the right to cancel and refund the registration of any child if Sea Smart and the Primary Contact cannot create a plan that ensures the child’s safe participation in our programming.
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Please reach out to us to discuss how we can make Sea Smart camps work for your child!
camps@seasmartschool.com
+1 (6O4) 358-0163
Will Sea Smart staff help my child use the washroom?
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Sea Smart staff cannot assist your child in the washroom. Please only send your child to camp if they are able to use the washroom independently.
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In case of an emergency, Sea Smart staff will assist your child while maintaining dignity and safety. A second staff member will be present to ensure your child is safe.
Please pack extra clothes for your child in case of an accident.
As all washrooms are public spaces, Sea Smart staff and volunteers will check the space before allowing campers entry. An educator or volunteer will stand by the door to make sure children are safe.
Does my child need sunscreen at camp?
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Sea Smart summer camps are exclusively outdoors. Campers MUST apply sunscreen before arriving for camp, and MUST carry additional sunscreen for reapplication throughout the day.
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Sea Smart staff are not able to help campers apply sunscreen, but will remind them throughout the day to reapply.
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Please try to choose environmentally conscious, and reef-safe sunscreen!
What qualifications do Sea Smart staff have?
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Sea Smart summer camp staff and volunteers are subject to an interview and training process led by experienced children & youth professionals to ensure they are qualified and able to care for your child while also teaching camp materials in an engaging way.
Comprehensive training includes sessions on teaching/educating, due diligence and safety, group and behaviour management, abuse awareness and prevention, and working with children & duty to report.
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All staff and volunteers are required to obtain a clean criminal record check and vulnerable sector check.
All staff are certified in Standard First Aid & CPR-C.
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English language learners are welcome at Sea Smart summer camps, but you must indicate this to Sea Smart during registration. Sea Smart may contact you to discuss your child’s level of English proficiency.
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It is necessary that Sea Smart summer campers are able to understand basic English instruction to ensure they remain safe. We can only guarantee that our educators are fluent in English, and key rules, information and safety measures need to be understood and comprehended by all campers.
Are English language learners welcome?
Food Allergens
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Due to the prevalence of nut allergies, Sea Smart is a completely nut-free camp. Do not pack any nut products in your child’s lunch.
As an additional safety precaution, we do not allow the sharing of food between campers.
We will inform camp families if there are other allergens that must be avoided during summer camp to keep all campers safe and healthy.
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Please be aware that allergens may be present at our camp locations. If your child requires medication and/or an epipen, please ensure that these are provided. Allergies MUST be indicated on the Sea Smart summer camps consent form.