British Columbia

Camp Kakhamela
Gibsons, BC
Camp Kakhamela is located at YMCA Camp Elphinstone on BC’s beautiful Sunshine Coast near the town of Gibsons. Along with our Overnight Camp, we also offer a Leadership Development Program for teens ages 15 - 16 and a variety of Family Camps where the whole family can participate in a camp experience together.
Camp History:
Camp Kakhamela was founded in 1962, with an inaugural session of approximately 30 campers. Since then the camp has grown significantly and is now thriving with 200 campers coming to stay each summer. For the past fifteen years, Camp Kakhamela has enjoyed a partnership with the Greater Vancouver YMCA’s Camp Elphinstone.
Activities your child will be talking about all year-long!
Campers participate in activities that inspire personal growth, encourage team-building and foster an appreciation of the outdoors such as: swimming, hiking, canoeing, sailing, ropes course challenges, arts and crafts, sports, and overnights.
Number of Campers:
Sessions 1 and 2 – 60 campers each session
Session 3 (Teen Session) – 40 campers
Session 4 (Leadership Development Program) – 20 campers
Family Camp Sessions – 100 individuals
Number of Staff:
Camp Kakhamela has a staff of more than 100, a core group of whom are also living with type 1 diabetes.
Accommodation Details:
Campers sleep in the cabin groups, in cabins has 10 campers and two counsellors. These cabins are located near each other which helps to foster the sense of community while at Camp.
Transportation:
We offer pick-up and drop off at the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal. This is by far, our most popular option. Here parents will have the opportunity to meet their child’s counsellor and our team of medical staff.
We also provide transportation for campers who are flying into Vancouver Airport for $100/round trip.
Camp Address:
This is the address for the Camp Kakhamela Overnight Camp and Camp Kakhamela Family Camp at YMCA Camp Elphinstone ONLY. The other two Family Camp programs are held at different locations.
Camp Kakhamela c/o YMCA Camp Elphinstone
1760 YMCA Rd
Gibsons, BC
V0N 1V6
Please note: this address is for summer use only and cannot accept mail over the winter.
Nearest Hospital:
The nearest hospital to Camp is St. Mary’s Hospital in Sechelt, BC approximately 15 km away from Gibsons.
Camp Kakhamela is generously supported by:
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Camp Kakhamela’s Overnight Camp is for children and youths between the ages of 7 and 15.
2013 Overnight Camp Dates:
We offer two, one-week camp sessions for campers 7 – 14:
Session #1: June 30 – July 5
Session #2: July 7 – 12
And one two-week camp session for campers 12 – 15:
Session #3: June 30 – July 12
2013 Overnight Camp Fees:
We have implemented a voluntary three-tiered pricing program that allows you to select the fee that is appropriate for your family. This is strictly an honour system; your selection will not influence your child’s experience at Camp.
Session 1 and Session 2:
Tier 1: Lightly Subsidized – $1025
Tier 2: Partially Subsidized – $800
Tier 3: Heavily Subsidized – $500
Session 3:
Tier 1: Lightly Subsidized – $2050
Tier 2: Partially Subsidized – $1600
Tier 3: Heavily Subsidized – $1100
If you are unable to afford any of the tiered fees, we also offer a limited number of fee subsidies, called Camperships. If you require a Campership, please indicate your request on the application form. For any questions, please contact the Camp Manager.
Camp Kakhamela is generously supported by:
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Leadership Development Program
Camp Kakhamela’s leadership programs have been expanded for summer of 2013. Collectively, these programs are designed to teach youth leadership lessons which are applicable to all areas of their life. By building self-esteem and confidence, learning about community and service, or understanding group dynamics and teambuilding; our youth will leave these programs ready to lead themselves and others through their transition from teenagers to young adults.
Our programs are structured into two complimentary and successive levels. Admission to these programs is not guaranteed and is by application. Information is below.
Leadership Development Program – Level 1 (LDP1)
Ages:
15 – 16
Aimed at participants aged 15 to 16, this program operates in partnership with our facility partner, YMCA Camp Elphinstone. Taking place on the shores of the Sunshine Coast, participants will engage in challenging leadership learning experiences. These include teambuilding exercises, adventure learning, and a 3-day wilderness outtrip.
Leadership Development Program – Level 2 (LDP2)
Ages:
16 – 17
New for 2013, this program is designed for participants aged 16 – 17 who have previously participated in a leadership experience. After connecting with the Camp Kakhamela program on the Sunshine Coast participants travel to Strathcona Park Lodge near Campbell River on Vancouver Island for the duration of the program. This program will build on previous leadership experiences, with the goal of equipping participants with the skills they will need to be effective leaders in their home communities. Topics may include effective communication, conflict resolution, service learning, and teamwork. The program is capped off by a challenging 5-day wilderness out-trip led by professional guiding staff.
Selection Criteria:
As part of the registration and selection process, all candidates to Camp Kakhamela’s leadership programs will be required to submit a written application. This application consists of a 400 word essay which addresses the following questions:
1. Why do you want to be a part of the LDP program?
2. What do you think you can bring to the group and the camp community?
3. What do you want to learn from the program? How will you apply it away from camp?
2013 Leadership Development Program Dates:
Both LDP1 and LDP2 operate from June 30th through July 12th.
2013 Leadership Development Program Fees:
We have implemented a voluntary three-tiered pricing program that allows you to select the fee that is appropriate for your family. This is strictly an honour system; your selection will not influence your child’s experience at camp or their selection into the program.
Tier 1: Lightly subsidized – $1100
Tier 2: Partially subsidized – $1600
Tier 3: Heavily subsidized – $2050
If you are unable to afford any of the tiered fees, we also offer a limited number of fee subsidies, called Camperships. If you require a Campership, please indicate your request on the application form. For any questions, please contact the Camp Registrar.
Camp Kakhamela is generously supported by:
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Camp Kakhamela’s Family Camps are for children living with type 1 diabetes, along with their parents, siblings and caregivers. These camps provide families with opportunities to learn more about type 1 diabetes, offering a positive and supportive environment in which they can share knowledge and experiences as well as network and build relationships with other families dealing with similar challenges. Family camps bring people together in a way that just doesn’t happen in any other setting.
Camp Kakhamela Family Camp at Homewood
2013 Dates:
May 10 -12 (held at Camp Homewood, Quadra Island, BC)
2013 Fees:
Adults (18+) – $140
Youth (5-17) – $100
Child (4-under) – FREE
Camp Kakhamela at Homewood has become a tradition for families of children living with type 1 diabetes on Vancouver Island . Located on the pristine shores of Gowlland Harbour on Quadra Island, this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a getaway with your family while learning more about type 1 diabetes from our on site medical staff and volunteers. While at Camp Homewood, you’ll enjoy a variety of activities for children and adults from arts and crafts, to archery and campfires. There will be opportunities throughout the weekend for parents and caregivers to spend time connecting with one another through structured workshops and unstructured social time; while kids are playing and connecting with each other through supervised games and program activities. Families will also have time to build relationships with new and returning families from the Vancouver Island area, through participation in shared activity against the beautiful backdrop provided by Camp Homewood.
Camp Kakhamela North Family Camp at Ness Lake
2013 Dates:
May 24 – 26 (held at Ness Lake Camp, Prince George, BC)
2013 Fees:
Adults (18+) – $200
Youth (5 – 17) – $125
Child (4-under) – FREE
We are excited to announce that 2013 brings to us Northern BC’s first ever family camp for families of children living with type 1 diabetes! For this camp we invite families from all over Northern BC and the Yukon to join us for a weekend of fun, support, and relationship building. Ness Lake Camp is a gorgeous facility located 45 minutes North West of Prince George. The weekend will offer opportunities for parents and caregivers to spend time connecting with one another through structured workshops and unstructured social time while kids play and get to know each other through supervised games and program activities. Families will also have time to participate in activities together, such as swimming, boating, and challenge courses, during the course of the weekend. There will also be medical staff on site all weekend connecting with children and parents outside of the hospital or clinic environment, as well as to act as a resources should you have questions or concerns.
Camp Kakhamela Family Camp at YMCA Camp Elphinstone
2013 Dates:
August 25 – 28 (Camp Kakhamela main site, Gibsons, BC)
2013 Fees:
Adults (18+) – $225
Youth (5-17) – $125
Child (4 – under) – FREE
Camp Kakhamela Family Camp at Elphinstone is the roots of our family camp programs in BC. Running out of the same facility as our summer camp on the Sunshine Coast, this site is well equipped and offers a wide variety of activities for parents, caregivers, children, and families to partake in. Medical staff and volunteers will be onsite throughout the 4 days as resources for both parents and children and enjoying connecting with you in a casual atmosphere outside of hospitals and clinics. As with all of our family camps, there are a number of opportunities for parents and caregivers to spend time connecting with one another through structured workshops and unstructured social time while kids play and connect with each other through supervised games and program activities. Between campfires, workshops and capture the flag, there will be still be time to enjoy your time together as a family while you are at camp.
Supervision While at All Family Camp Programs:
Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children while at Camp. However, supervision will be provided during scheduled program activities. Parents are also responsible for their children’s medical and dietary care, including their child’s diabetes management, the dispensing of medication(s) and monitoring of personal supplies. Medical staff/personnel are on site to facilitate programming and are not there to supervise daily routines or provide direct medical care.
* Please note, there are different fees for each Family Camp because of the different costs we incur at the various rental facilities. These fees include all meals, activities and accommodations.
Camp Kakhamela is generously supported by:
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