Mini-Camps at the Ecology Centre

Read our accessibility statement, or visit the registration links below to learn how we can adapt certain programs. Please contact us if you have any questions or feedback.

We require the signature of an Informed Consent, Release and Indemnity form for our mini-camps. Please read and sign this document prior to camp and provide it to us through email or in person on or before the first day of camp.

Pro-D Mini-Camps

Embark on a morning of exploration, fun, and educational activities led by an Ecology Centre naturalist.

Our Pro-D camps offer a blend of indoor activities and an outdoor nature walk. For school aged children. Dress for the weather and bring a snack and water bottle.

You can get a refund for mini-camps cancelled with two or more weeks’ notice (less a $10 admin fee).

Friday, February 13 – FULL

9:30 am to 1:30 pm

Ages 5-8 (born in 2020 or earlier) | $45 per child

Spring Break Mini-Camps

Embark on three mornings of indoor and outdoor exploration, fun, and educational activities led by an Ecology Centre naturalist. Children must be ages 5 to 8 during the camp (born in 2020 or earlier). $101.50 per child.

*In order to let as many children participate, campers can only be registered in 1 camp.*

Fantastical Rainforest

Monday, March 16 to Wednesday, March 18 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Step into the wonders of your local temperate rainforest! Build a cozy bug hotel, peek inside a wriggly worm farm, and imagine the tiny forest helpers quietly at work beneath the leaves and logs. Come explore with us and uncover the quiet magic under your feet and all around us!

Animal Trackers

Wednesday, March 18 to Friday, March 20 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Would you be able to live in the rainforest? Learn about animal calls, tracks, scat, and more signs of where wildlife can be found. Practice your forest camouflage skills as you become a stealthy animal tracker!

Artful Adventures

Monday, March 23 to Wednesday, March 25 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Many artists are inspired by nature, and you could be one of them! Join us for a fun-filled mini-camp where you can explore your creativity and the outdoors. Each day will include a hands-on craft and nature exploration.

Mini-Camp FAQ

In order for all campers to have the best experience in our camp, we are strict with our age minimums. Campers must be turning 6 this year, to attend our camps.

Of course they are welcome at our camp! Please let us know at registration if you have strategies to help your child have the best time at camp. If your child runs away from leaders, has difficulty following directions, or is unsafe towards themselves and others, you will need to provide an adult to attend camp to support their behaviour. If we find during camp that your child is disrespectful of others or the forest or is having difficulty following instructions, we will ask you to provide an adult for the remainder of the camp.

Parent/guardians will fill out camper questions during our registration and then complete the waiver below.

  1. We require the signature of an Informed Consent, Release and Indemnity form for our mini-camps. Please read and sign this document prior to camp and provide it to us through email or in person on or before the first day of camp.

Please call the Ecology Centre front desk at 604-990-3755 and they will get in touch with the group leader for you.

Pay parking is in effect throughout the park from 8 am to 6 pm, March to October. It costs $3.00 per hour for a maximum of 4 hours. Payment options include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Visa Debit, Mastercard debit, Apple pay, Google pay and any Interac supported card at the pay stations, scan to pay, or the IndigoNeo app or website.

District residents are eligible to purchase a seasonal DNV Park Parking Pass ($10.00+GST) that allows passholders to park in the lot without paying the hourly rate.

There is a 5 minute drop-off zone in the upper parking lot right next to our gathering area that you are welcome to use. There is also free parking on the Lillooet Road parking lot, on the east side of the Lynn Creek.

Please bring a small backpack with a full water bottle, hat, extra pair of socks, kleenex, hand sanitizer, snacks/lunch. They should be dressed in layers as the temperature in the park during camp can start off quite cool.

During the summer months, please apply sunscreen before camp begins.

Even for our camps with a water theme, we encourage sturdy running/hiking shoes. Extra socks are a good extra item to put in their pack. We will use bags in their shoes if they change into dry socks and their shoes are wet.

For the safety of others, please do not send your child to camp if they are sick. We hike during camp and this may be difficult for your child if they have a cough or have not been feeling well.

Please inform us at registration if your child has any allergies.

Camp Guidelines

Families are advised to review these guidelines with their child to avoid early dismissal from camp.

Environmental Responsibility

Leave No Trace Principle: In our camps we do not pick plants, dig in the earth, disturb habitats, or bushwhack through trails.

Respectful Behaviour: Campers must stay with their group leader, refrain from running off trails and boardwalks, and maintain a respectful distance from wildlife.

Wildlife Interaction: Our group will stay quiet and calm if wildlife is spotted. Our camp leaders will safely lead the group to other areas to avoid any negative encounters with wildlife.

Leave No Trace Policy: Campers are encouraged to leave the park cleaner than they found it and to not discard anything in the forest, including human food, which can make wildlife sick.

Camp Etiquette

Inclusion: The Ecology Centre upholds human rights and values inclusion for all campers.

Leadership: Campers are expected to follow instructions from camp leaders.

Behaviour Expectations: Verbal abuse, physical aggression, harassment, and bullying are not permitted.

Safety: Campers are expected to behave in a manner consistent with camp rules to ensure their safety and the safety of others. Failure to comply may result in early dismissal from camp.