It doesn't matter what age you are, camp can be a special place where you get to make memories and build relationships.
This was the sentiment coming from participants and an organizer of the 2024 Grandparent Camp held at Gavin Lake Forest Education Centre this year.
Sparked from the inspiration of Kylie Green and Mike Tudor, the program is an opportunity for grandparents to enjoy grandchildren without distractions, and without parents.
"Children act differently with just grandparents there," said Val Biffert of the parent-free experience. She attended the camp with her husband Wayne Biffert and their grandson Oliver for the first time this summer.
"It was huge for us to be able to interact with him like that and see what he's capable of," she said, adding how not only did they get to know Oliver better, but she hopes he got to see more of what she and Wayne are like as people.
It was the third year the camp ran, and it was another resounding success, with lots of happy campers after three days and two nights.
The camp provides an opportunity for grandparents, biological or not, to attend the camp with one or more grandchildren, with a broad range of activities on offer. Activities include canoeing, an obstacle course, swimming, ping pong and crafts, along with some more unique options such as archery and orienteering. All accomodation and food is included and kept affordable thanks to support from the city of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District.
Having all of the food and accomodation taken care of frees the grandparents to just enjoy spending some time with their grandchildren.
"All we have to do is choose from one magnificent activity or another," said Anna Hughes of Smithers, B.C.
Hughes attended the camp with her granddaughter Sierra, who lives in Williams Lake. It was their second year in a row getting a spot in the sold-out camp.
"The children, they just get to express themselves," she said.
Hughes said she and Sierra tried everything the camp had to offer for activities, and thanks to the smart scheduling, they even had time to go back to their favourites to do them again.
Their two favourites: Archery and rock climbing. "She's a rock star at it," said Hughes of Sierra's climbing skills.
Kylie Green helped organize the Grandparent Camp and said she still loves the camp experience, even as an adult staff member.
She has experienced camp from every angle, having attended camp in her youth, instructed canoeing at a camp as a teenager, been a member of the Gavin Lake Forest Education Centre Society board and now is an organizer and staff member for Grandparent Camp. She said she wanted to help bring the Grandparent Camp to life because she loved the idea of giving grandparents a chance to enjoy carefree summer time with their grandchildren. She said she also liked the idea of catering to the shifting demographics in our society.
With an aging Baby Boomer population and more working parents, it is a way for parents to get a break, grandparents to get some quality time with their grandchildren and more young people to enjoy the camp experience.
"I just knew it would work really well for this piece of the population," said Green, of providing a parent-free camp for both "the young and the young at heart."
"No distractions, no screens and outdoor time with family," Green said, is the recipe which helps make the camp experience great and creates core memories for participants in a world where we are inundated by more and more distractions.
"I think that was a huge advantage," said Val Biffert, of the break from electronic devices. She said Oliver was immediately on his device again after leaving camp, but when they were back at home, when she asked Oliver if he would like to play Uno, his response was: "Oh yes, I'd like to interact."
"I'm exceedingly grateful that we've had that opportunity" said Hughes of her time at camp with Sierra. She said Sierra wanted to return after their first summer and was sad she will be too old for the camp next year, as it is typically geared towards ages six to 12.
Part of what makes the camp so special is the small group size, with organizers limiting the number of young people to 18. Grandchildren can come with one or more grandparents, but by keeping the number of young people low, it helps the group come together, explained Green.
Hughes said she saw people support one another at the camp in a way which she felt is less and less common today, partly as Williams Lake grows in size. She said the group made sure any solo child at an activity was supported if their grandparent was at something else with another grandchild.
"We had such a cohesive, gelled group," said Hughes.
"I think it's a valuable, valuable thing."
As for the grandchildren, while Sierra is disappointed she will age out of the camp for next year, Val said Oliver loved the camp, and already asked if they could go again next year.
Spots are limited, people wanting to attend next year's camp can email kylie.green.eco@gmail.com to be put on the interest list and they will be invited to register when it becomes available.
"Go there," was Val Biffert's advice to other prospective campers.
Campers came from all over, with Anna Hughes coming from the Bulkley Valley, and Oliver Biffert attending from Kamloops.
