Child 1 Age 15 (Male)
Program(s) focused in Wilderness Out-tripping, Sailing/Marine Skills, Swimming
Child 2 Age 14 (Male)
Program(s) focused in Wilderness Out-tripping, Sailing/Marine Skills, Swimming
Child 3 Age 13 (Female)
Program(s) focused in Wilderness Out-tripping, Horseback Riding/Equestrian, Sailing/Marine Skills
(5) Overall experience
My three children (boy, boy, girl) love Camp Homewood.
Being situated on Quadra Island in British Columbia, Camp Homewood offers a tremendously valuable ocean experience for both locals and visitors alike. My children are always excited (prior to camp) about what new thing they will experience. Sailing, canoeing, kayaking, supping, and equestrian are their favorites. Couple this with excellent leaders, top-notch programming, and solid biblical teaching...Homewood has a lot to offer.
My children always come away from Camp Homewood with a treasure trove of new experiences. My wife and I notice their self-confidence and how they approach the world. More importantly, we see their growth in, and understanding of, who Jesus Christ was and is, and how relevant He is to their life.
Of course, all of this means the world to us as parents and dedicated followers of Jesus.
We have sent our children, each summer, to Camp Homewood since they were infants. My wife assists in the kitchen while pregnant with our third.
We will continue sending our children to Camp Homewood because the sailing program (combined with biblical instruction) is an unparalleled experience.
(5) Reason for choosing the camp
I am a sailing enthusiast. I was initially introduced to Camp Homewood as they were in need of an sailing instructor. I love working with children, I love sailing, and I love sharing my Faith. This has been a perfect combination for me. I have volunteered for the Camp Homewood Sailing Program for 16 years. My wife loves camp in general and has assisted in numerous capacities while I am away sailing for the week.
We chose this camp over others because of the Sailing Program. No other camp in Canada offers anything close to this experience.
Our time and financial investment into Camp Homewood have paid dividends to my entire family. Biblical instruction, unparalleled coastal cruising, and like-minded people. Who wants anything else?
Regarding costs. The sailing program, for what is offered, is VERY affordable. No hidden costs.
(5) Program quality and activities
The camp itinerary aligned with my children's interests well: water sports for my sons, horses for my daughter, and ocean time for all three.
Specifically, the Sailing Program has been the draw card for all three of my children.
They are now inviting friends from Alberta to join in on the coastal experience and to get connected with Camp Homewood.
Over the past couple of years, Homewood has improved the sailing program to better meet certain maritime safety requirements. Additionally, a considerable amount of money and effort has been spent to improve the sailboats, the wharf, and to streamline the biblical discipleship.
(5) Social dynamics and experience
All three of my children are confident and outgoing. They have enjoyed, throughout the years, meeting new campers and sharing both Camp Homewood and the Sailing Program with new kids.
Since we live out of province they have not experienced consistent friendships at camp (except with leaders) but are always excited to meet new kids.
There have been no issues with bullying and no issues with inclusion. In all my years of volunteering at Camp Homewood I am unaware of these issues. Being a school teacher, however, I know they happen despite best intentions. Homewood strives to neutralize these issues before they arise.
(5) Skills and growth
My children have gained excellent skills at Camp Homewood. They have learned to sail and anchor a sailboat. They have learned to row a dingy, navigate with charts and GPS, and trim the sails. They have experienced mechanical failure and learned how to diagnose/fix it. They have learned to sail in high wind and how to reef sails. They have learned to sail a spinnaker and navigate tidal rapids. They have been exposed to wildlife identification from humpback whales, stellar sea lions, sea otters, black bears, bald eagles, porpoise, goose barnacles, anemone, asparagus grass, and salmon.
They are also learning biblical literacy and growing confident in apologetics.
The day of sailing in high winds and large waves challenged my daughter but my sons loved the experience. (she was 9) She will sail with me this summer (2026 Sail Camp) and is very excited about it.
The Sailing Program offers innumerable challenges for participants from swinging off the sailboat on bouys, swimming in the ocean, camping on shore and walking under a waterfall...to sailing itself.
(5) Staff/Instructors/Counsellors
My children have enjoyed the staff. Camp Homewood has been able to get quality staff to lead programs.
Homewood staff connected with us via email prior to camp, after camp, and throughout the year. Staff has mailed out birthday wishes, photos of the camp my children participated in, and mailed out packages to announce the next year's camps and dates.
Significantly, Homewood staff has mailed out character encouragements and scriptural encouragement to my 3 children after their camps.
(5) Preparation and packing
There were no items we brought that we found necessary.
There was nothing we missed packing. Homewood Staff provides a thorough list of items to bring.
For the Sail Camp, Homewood provides tents.
There are no pre-camp preparations that I would recommend other than having a keen sense of adventure and curiosity.
(5) Advice and tips
The advice I would give to someone considering Camp Homewood would be to certainly try a Sail Camp. There is no other camp in Canada that offers anything comparable.
Last year I had a participant who fly from Germany to join a Sail Camp. This is not unusual.
There is nothing I wish I knew prior to sending my children to this Camp. Follow the website. Read through the communication sent by Staff and you should be all good.
