It's Goodbye for Now

We've been missing our students around here at Camp Qwanoes these past few weeks. Last month our students graduated! It was an amazing celebration with lots of family, friends and loved ones coming out to see them complete this amazing accomplishment. Before graduation weekend however, we were able to take the students on one last adventure. This adventure was called the Closing Retreat. It was such a good time hanging out with one another as everyone had finished their last assignments so the only thing they had to focus on was the people around them. For the retreat, we headed back up to Strathcona Park. It was great being there for the last time as a group. This was the place we started our year by climbing Mt. Albert Edward, we spent a week in the middle of the year skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Washington, and now we could finish it there by spending quality time with one another in a cozy cabin. 

                                                                             (Photo credit: Rachel Nelson)

Once we got back from the weekend get away, it was time for the grad festivities to begin. The camp came alive as families and friends came from both near and far to celebrate with the students. The grad weekend was filled with worship, speeches, a few good tears shed and lots of good food and company. 

                                                                                                                   (Photo credit: Scott Bayley)

                                                                                                                       (Photo Credit: Levi Allen)

Once the grad weekend was over we were very sad to have to say goodbye to our students. The Kaleo Program leadership team and all of us at Camp Qwanoes will miss them dearly and we are so proud of what they have accomplished this year. We know that God will use them in great ways in whatever area he calls them into from here on out. 

On behalf of the The Kaléo Program Leadership Team, I would like to thank all the friends, family and loved ones of the students. We greatly appreciate all of the support and love that you have poured into the students while they have been at Camp Qwanoes this past year. Thank you for allowing them come here and helping them to grow in the amazing ways they have, we are sincerely grateful.

                                                                                                      (Photo credit: Levi Allen) 

The video below, created by one of our students, Kyle Bauman, in-captures many of the highlights from our year together, hope you enjoy!

Blessings, 

Rachel Nelson, Kaléo Program Intern

Surfs up!

Time to hit the waves! This past week was filled with fun and excitement as we headed to Tofino to surf for 3 days! We were finally able to go surfing this year because the other time we were supposed to go, it was the midst of a huge storm. Therefore we decided to take a rain check on this adventure and return when the weather was more cooperative.

On the first day we drove up to Tofino, making a few stops on the way up. One of the stops was Cathedral Grove. This is a part of a provincial park where the trees are huge. Some of these trees take three or four peoples' wing span to wrap around. The students were left to wander around in the forest and take in God's great creation! Some of the beaches near Tofino  had great views and we witnessed the waves that we would soon be riding. We drove to Tofino after visiting the beaches and the students got to explore town and the various surf shops there. 

(Photo Credits: Kayla Wood)

The next day we woke up and got ready for surfing. Our surfing guides, Estuardo and Matt, gave some awesome instruction on how to surf and how to be smart in the water! This really helped us learn the ins and outs of surfing and made the time much more enjoyable. This was the day  that the weather was uncooperative, right up until we started to surf. Then the sun came out, the rain was gone and the waves were great! A wonderful first day of surfing for everyone!

(Photo Credits: Kayla Wood)

The last day of surfing was a perfect day! The sun was shinning, the wind was minimal, and the waves were consistent. This made for ideal surfing conditions! We saw a lot of the students shine and gain more experience in their surfing skills. Witnessing their ability soar (as much as a beginner can in two days) was awesome to watch!

(Photo Credits: Virginia Flahr)

(Photo Credits: Jared Bayley and Kyle Bauman)

This week the students have their last few days of "Camp and Youth Ministry" with Sid Koop. Please be praying that the students will finish well and that they will be able to complete all of their assignments to the best of their ability.

Isaiah Moffatt

Kaléo Intern

Engaging the Ideas of Our World

This past week the students intensely studied the ideas of this world as they took the class “Engaging the Ideas of Our World,” with Grant Poettcker, PhD. They participated in deep discussions about the founders of Modernity and Post Modernity and how this affects the current culture.  One student, Colin Bovingdon, commented about the class “I loved having Grant Poettcker here, he was able to take ridiculously hard concepts to grasp and break them down to a Sunday School level so that we could better understand them.” Overall, the students’ minds were stretched this week and they thoroughly enjoyed the class.

                                                                                                   (All Photo Credit: Peyton Arnold)

 The students are now marching into their last two and a half weeks of the program. Please keep them in your minds and prayers as these last few weeks are very full. They have final projects to complete, they will be embarking on their last three out trips and their last camp retreat. Please pray that our students would be able to finish well, and that they would be fully able to take in the time they have left here.

-Rachel Nelson, Kaléo Program Intern

French and Mystic Beach

Different paces bring different levels of bonding. It seems that the slower the pace is, the deeper the bond. That was true for French Beach. This beach slowed down the pace everyone was running at and the students were able to just take time and talk with one another and invest. The conversations that were had were deep and personal to the students. They learned more about each other in those few days than they would have if they were living at a faster pace. 

This is not to say that they only talked for the three days and did not go on any adventures. No, we took a little time out of the second day to go to Mystic Beach. This is a beach that required a bit of a drive and a hike to get to. But the drive and hike were worth it! There is a beautiful beach that has a waterfall, a cave, and a rope swing! The students enjoyed these features despite the weather not cooperating. 

(All Photos are taken by Peyton Arnold)

The week was very relaxed, but the students are now in their last full class of the Kaléo Program, Indisciplinary Studies with Grant Poettcker, PhD.  Pray for concentration and clarity as they take this class. 

Isaiah Moffatt

Kaléo Intern

Crabbing, Climbing, and Leadership

This past week was filled with small adventures that the students thoroughly enjoyed. Last Tuesday the students started a three-day crabbing adventure. For this activity, the students broke up into groups and took shifts catching crabs off of the camp’s dock. After a few days of collecting crabs, we all gathered together on the beach to have a crab feast.

This week we also had the opportunity to go indoor rock climbing at the Romper Room in Nanaimo. The students had the chance to learn how to climb and how to belay. It was a fun filled day of both bouldering and climbing the walls.

 

                                                                                                          

                                                                                                         (All Photo Credit: Peyton Arnold)

Another aspect of last week, was the focus on leadership. The students were able to gleam wisdom about leadership from a few guest speakers throughout the week. The students are now gearing up for their last month of the program. They are currently working hard to prepare for their final classes and finish up final projects.

-Rachel Nelson, Kaléo Program Intern