Click on thumbnails for architects renderings

Stewardship Plan
Develop New Facilities
Facilities & Improvements
Program Opportunities
Camp Endowment Fund

Make a Donation
Contact Information

Garry Oak Ecosystem

Peaceful moment at Camp

One of our two ponds

Proposed Floating Classroom for ecological studies

Proposed Activity Shelter

Summer fun at the Camp

Proposed Climbing Tower

"Our challenge and our opportunity, is to ensure all kids are given a chance to realize their potential" Camp to Utilize Green Design: ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE Planning: buildings orientated for optimal energy performance. HVAC: buildings naturally ventilated, spot ventilation for bathrooms, kitchen and Camp hall. Solar Heat: main buildings orientated east to west for maximum solar gain with overhangs and walkways for southside protection Pond Heat Pump: the Main building utilizes the swimming pond for energy transfer providing heating and cooling by water-sourced heat pump Heating: primary buildings heated with high-efficiency in-floor hydronic heating Solar Hot Water: solar water heaters used for washroom building. Photovoltaics: Camp Hall roof has PV panels to power the Hall's ceiling mounted exhaust fans Light: efficient T-5 fluorescent lamps installed in offices and class/breakout rooms. Occupancy sensors used in washrooms SITE AND WATER Vegetation: native plantings used throughout to minimize watering needs Water Consumption: low flush fixtures to conserve water (i.e. flushless urinals, sensors on sinks, dual flush toilets, timer and mixer valves on showers) Wastewater: on site treatment system provides tertiary treatment of wastewater; the Living Machine to treat grey and black water for use for on-site organic farming Stormwater: roof rainwater collected for irrigation, boot washing and slow release back into the land Paved Surfaces: porous paving for road/walkways and parking lot decreases load on storm system INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY Day-lighting: all building footprints oriented to optimize natural light Interior Light lighting controls designed to maximize natural light over electrical Finishing: low emission stains, paints, sealants and adhesives to be used Air: CO2 monitoring in primary areas to monitor air quality MATERIAL AND RESOURCES Concrete: high fly ash content in concrete to reduce CO2 in making of concrete Lumber: use FSC certified food and salvaged lumber for siding and flooring Recycled Materials: recycled plastic in counter tops and toilet partitions; recycled glass in batt insulation OTHER MEASURES Fuel Cell: Use of fuel cell at the base camp for Coastline Challenge program staff eliminates trying to bring power to the area and maintains the visual beauty Wind Turbines: the possible use of wind turbines to produce electricity to be sold back to the power company or smaller units to provide ventilation in the Camp hall Green Roof: an extensive green roof, using native grasses, around the Friendship Circle will provide added Insulation Adventure Based Learning offers experiential educational opportunities to a wide variety of user groups through the use of challenge activities, outdoor skills and adventure sports. Some of the groups that have utilized this program include elementary and middle schools, Camosun College and Royal Roads University, the Homeschoolers Association, Scouts & Brownies, RCMP K-9 trainers, corporate groups and wilderness contractors of BC.

For the last twenty years the Wilderness Camp in Metchosin has been home to many innovative Boys & Girls Clubs programs. The property had long been held for the Provincial Government by the BC Buildings Corporation and in 2003 it was designated as 'excess to need'. BCBC offered Boys & Girls Clubs first right of refusal to purchase the property and it was with some sense of urgency that this opportunity was brought to the Boards of both our Foundation and Boys & Girls Club Services. If we did not act upon this offer we would lose this wonderful site and we would be forced to find a new and possibly less fitting home for our experiential programs as well as for our summer day camps. The fortuitous sale of another building that the Foundation owned in VicWest, however, provided us with well over a third of the purchase price. In addition, the results of a feasibility study conducted early in 2004 indicated that a fund raising campaign to finance the balance of the purchase would be well received by the citizens of Victoria. Members of both Boards decided to seize the opportunity and the sale finally closed at the end of March 2004. At long last we could call the camp ours, opening a world of opportunity for Boys & Girls Club Services of Greater Victoria.

We now have the ability to explore new programming possibilities ranging from recreational adventure-based programs to educational and cultural retreats, therapeutic and respite services, organic agricultural opportunities, environmental stewardship activities, and much more! The camp purchase means that Boys & Girls Clubs has a chance to realize its own potential to help children, youth and families succeed, and create a ripple that echoes through the whole community!

The Camp Property
The Camp is situated on 98 acres of green space in the District of Metchosin. The property:

The Plan

Stewardship
Boys & Girls Club Services of Greater Victoria uses ecologically sound operating policies to govern the activities at the Camp. We continue to uphold this principle as we plan for the future use of the property. Incorporating “green” design into both buildings and programs is essential to our vision for this property.

Currently, only a small portion of the 98 acre site is used for programming and most facilities are concentrated in a small 7-8 acre area. The division of the full property site into 8 separate activity zones, defined by existing natural features, will allow us to accommodate groups with varying program requirements to operate simultaneously. For example, the younger summer camp kids can enjoy their traditional activities without being displaced by participants in the Coastline Challenge Camp youth justice program who require more careful supervision.

One of these “zones” is 40 acres in size, sub-dividable, and primarily comprised of forested areas, including ecologically sensitive stands of Garry Oak and Arbutus trees. In addition, this zone is a staging ground for migrating turkey vultures returning across the Juan de Fuca Strait. A full inventory of flora and fauna has yet to be completed. We hope to create a mini-ecological reserve in this zone.

Current programs operate from a no-trace or ‘minimal impact’ philosophy thereby leaving the natural spaces of the camp as they have been for years. Improvements in this zone will be minimal and ecologically sound practices will continue to be followed as we work to enhance it with a network of pathways, interpretive trails and viewing blinds to help protect the natural environment while still allowing all camp users access.

Develop New Facilities
The camp currently has an assortment of small structures that date back to the mid-1900s including trailers, cabins, and a cinderblock bathroom. The structures are substandard and do not lend themselves to effective use by the camp and certainly impede the development of additional programs and services. Through the Create a Ripple campaign we will secure the funding necessary to construct purpose-built facilities that support the camp's programs.

Wherever possible we will utilize the latest technologies in the design of any facilities on the property. From the strategic placement of buildings to the materials we use for construction we aspire to being not only environmentally friendly but to demonstrate leadership in sustainable development.

Outdoor Education Centre
This centre will provide a large multi-purpose area that would accommodate groups of up to 120 for conferences, meetings, programs or community events. It would also serve as the main dining area. The centre would house program offices, break-out or class rooms, a commercial grade kitchen, washrooms, storage, and an attached covered outdoor stage.

Accommodation
The addition of sleeping facilities will allow us to attract user groups who require accommodation for their conferences, or who want to participate in multi-day adventure based programs delivered by our staff.

Accommodation will also allow us to expand our summer camp programs to include over-night stays. Currently we can only operate day camps and nothing is quite so exciting to a kid as going away for a sleep over!

Nature/ Activity Shelters
The construction of four 20x20 shelters will provide covered meeting space for small groups and support our summer camp activities. One or two of these shelters would have barbeques and/or fireplaces to further enhance programming potential.

Barn
A small barn will provide storage space for food, hay, maintenance equipment and outdoor gear. This barn would include a workshop. Including a single bathroom with a shower would also be beneficial to program use.

Other Facilities & Improvements
Challenge Course Enhancement --Our current climbing wall is old and needs to be replaced with a much more flexible and modern climbing tower that offers challenges to a wide range of users. We plan to upgrade the low ropes course already on the site and complement it with a high-level ropes facility. These improvements will enhance Adventure Based programming capacity and expand potential revenue generating opportunities through use by community and corporate groups.

Vehicles -- Our vehicles transport children and youth to programs and summer camp. Increased camp use through expansion of our adventure-based programs and further program development will require a 15-passenger van and a pickup truck.

Parking -- In improved parking area will also be necessary to accommodate the additional participants of the expanded programs and to ensure that vehicles are not creating damage to the environment.

Development of Sustainable Program Opportunities
Further development of our outdoor education/adventure-based learning programs is a key part of our vision for the future. Without marketing, the existing program has increased participant numbers and operational days to the point where it cannot grow without specifically dedicated staff and resources. Focused development of this operation could generate business from school, community and corporate groups in the Capital Regional District and South Vancouver Island. A one-year development period will enable us to fully realize program potential and become self-sustaining.

Establish a Camp Endowment Fund
One of the components of the Create a Ripple Capital Campaign is to establish $ 1 million in endowments on behalf of the Wilderness Camp. Endowments will support various programs including summer camp and “camperships”, Adventure Based Learning programs, and camp operating costs.

An endowment of $250,000 earning a conservative rate of interest at 5% will provide $12,500 in income and will be crucial to the on-going maintenance of the camp. This income will provide long-term stability to camp operations, ensure that buildings are well-maintained and programs continue to operate from a no-trace or 'minimal impact' philosophy.

Adventure-Based Learning programs are also crucial to the sustainability of the camp and provide much needed operating revenue. By creating an endowment of $150,000 to support the on-going development and operation of these programs we not only increase our capacity to serve the Greater Victoria communities but we also reduce our reliance on government funding.

Establishing a $25,000 endowment will generate sufficient revenue to provide 10 full “camperships” to children in this community for whom the cost of summer camp is out of reach.