Description
About
Our Camps run for two weeks in Vancouver and Whistler. The curriculum includes English Language Immersive Experiences, essential Technology and Digital Skills topics, an intro to Entrepreneurship and an Adventure Camp in Whistler!
THE WELLNESS LAB
Healing and transformation can only happen when we bring together the mind, body and spirit. The Urban Camp created THE WELLNESS LAB, workshops designed to provide Urban campers with the latest techniques in mindfulness, such as meditation, breath therapy, laugh therapy, fitness and overall well-being habits to achieve optimum health and wellness.
These wellness workshops occur in the morning or evening in a safe and caring environment where everyone feels understood, seen and heard. Our body remembers what our mind can’t so let’s relax, laugh, breathe and Ommm together. We are all a work in progress. Let’s make sure we create a better version of ourselves daily.
Breathe. What do you feel?
ENGLISH IMMERSIVE
The Urban Camp goes the extra mile and leaves the classic classroom environment to learn and practice English in real-life scenarios. From life and survival skills to immersing in an Olympic spirit and getting to know the history of Canada and Vancouver firsthand, The Urban Camp offers a week full of fun, hands-on activities and development projects to force Urban Campers to speak and communicate with local people and fellow Urban Campers.
- Conversation Hub: Canadian Lifestyle and relevant affairs happening in Canada. We oversee topics in the tech industry (think video games, Vloggers, Bloggers and YouTubers) and sports, fashion, movies, Youth, + Self Esteem.
- Survival and Life Skills
- Learn by Doing: Practice English while going on field trips in the city and nature. You will be able to identify and understand accents and utilize the correct sentences for every occasion.
- Field Trips: Our field trips have been visits to top companies such as Microsoft, Walt Disney Studios and EA (Electronic Arts). This innovative English Immersive program includes public speaking, storytelling, and pitch presentations.
Conversation Hub
THE URBAN HACKATHON
Urban Campers participate in the exhilarating Urban Hackathon – an all-day event where students engage in workshops, entrepreneurial sessions and pitch a real or fictional “secret and undisclosed” problem to a jury.
This program is designed to create a memorable and extraordinary experience and encourage our Urban Campers to grow and cultivate their entrepreneurial mindset while being introduced to the inescapable world of technology and innovation.
The Urban Hackathon
TECH LABS
We take our Urban Campers on a journey to learn some interesting digital and technical skills.
The Urban Camp introduces hands-on workshops to introduce Urban Campers to the fast-growing Technology industry, providing different topics to choose from: Understanding and creating Virtual Reality Worlds. Animation. Digital Art. Google Suite + Intro to Design. 3D Design + 3D Printing and Electronics using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
3D Design and 3D Printing Workshop
CAMP ORGANIZATION
Living like a local means enjoying the city and its surroundings, rain or shine. So get ready to explore the city, hiking trails, rivers, lakes, parks, suspension bridges, farms, beaches, local neighbourhoods, and everything in between.
During your stay in Vancouver, you will be supporting small businesses, strolling hidden streets to find the best shops, and also ordering food from food trucks. Why not?
SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE
7:00 AM Wake up and get ready for bootcamp
7:45 AM Power breakfast
8:15 AM Get ready for the day ahead
9:00 AM Learning Experience 1
10: 00 AM Learning Experience 2
Break
11:00 AM Learning Experience 3
12:30 PM Lunch Break
1:30 PM Wellness Break
3:00 PM Explore the city and surroundings
6:00 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Evening activities in the city / on campus
9:00 PM Evening notes and relax time
10:00 PM Lights out, good night
DURATION
2 weeks
AGE / LEVEL
- 9-12 (Juniors)
- 13-15 (Teens)
- 16 (Young Adults)
FORMAT
8 Days Academic Program in Vancouver
5 Days Adventure Camp in Whistler
ACCOMMODATION
→Vancouver: UBC Campus
→ Whistler: Olympic Athlete Centre
Who we work with
At The Urban Camp, we work with professionals who are experts in their field/industry. Most importantly, they are active and enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about sharing their knowledge, wisdom, and expertise.
We are also happy to introduce you to some of the unique local businesses that we partner with:
How do we introduce our partners?
Let’s take EVIVE (a smoothie company) and Straws N’ Stuff as examples. Both are Canadian companies that we introduce during the Wellness Lab. We use their stories and mission to educate our Urban Campers on the power of creating a product that answers people’s needs. The best part? Urban Campers will be able to try their products!
We’re always looking for new partners that share our values, so we expect the list of local businesses we collaborate with to continue to grow!
ACCOMODATION
In Vancouver: The Urban Camp Residence is at The University of British Columbia (UBC) Totem Park Student Residence at 2525 West Mall.
Urban Campers stay in single rooms and share the bathroom with one same-gender camper.
In Whistler: Epic Camps Residence is located at the Olympic Athlete Centre. Campers share a double room and bathrooms are semi private.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Safety is our priority!
We have a minimum of 2 adults for every 10 Urban Campers. Senior Team, camp security at UBC and Whistler staff. We are trained and Certified in First Aid & CPR and have a criminal and background check.
Check in + Check out
Check-in is at 3 PM on a Sunday. Our programs start on Sundays unless your child goes straight to Whistler Camp (Whistler-only camps start on Saturdays).
Check-out time for departures is at 11 AM on a Saturday. If arrival or departure happens a day before or after the start or end of the program, please request an extra night request form (applicable fees for the extra night, meals, activities and Activity Team Crew).
Laundry
We will teach and help Urban Campers to do their laundry as part of our Life Skills workshop. However, camp fees do not include any load of laundry.
Electronic Devices
Cell phones are essential for program success, providing access to schedules, class and workshop info, emails and camp updates. Sufficient data is crucial as WiFi around the city can be inconsistent. Video Games are not allowed, but electronic readers, music players and cameras are permitted and encouraged during the stay in Vancouver. Urban Campers can contact their parents and friends anytime during their free time using their phones. Parents can also contact The Urban Camp Staff, we are available 24/7. However, avoiding making non-emergency calls between 10 PM and 7 AM Vancouver time is advised. Our Team needs to rest to be 100% ready for our Urban Campers.
During the camp in Whistler, electronic devices are NOT allowed; this is to truly connect with nature, enjoy the outdoors, interact with other campers and for safety reasons.
Before the Trip to Canada
Closer to arrival, we will provide a digital presentation with a guideline of what is needed for Vancouver and Whistler and some other important information.
We understand that making the right decision for your child’s well-being is important to you. Our Directors personally connect with you to understand your needs and address any concerns. With over 20 years of experience, we value the trust you place in us to care for your children, working closely with parents, schools and students.
After the initial conversation or virtual cafecito, we communicate via WhatsApp and/or email. If you choose to join our programs, we ensure ongoing communication leading up to the start of the program. You will receive newsletters and occasional videos via WhatsApp, where our Virtual Team AI Members will provide all the necessary information about the trip to Canada. We aim to keep you informed and prepared well in advance.
What we include
Our Camps Include:
- Personalized e-mail account
- Pre-camp, camp, and post-camp communication
- Notarized Custodianship Letters
- 2 weeks of camp. Starting on a Sunday and finishing on a Saturday morning.
- Transfer from Vancouver airport (YVR) to accommodation and from your accommodation back to YVR airport
- Transfer from accommodation to Whistler and back to accommodation or YVR airport
- Accommodation at UBC Totem Park Student Residence
- 3 meals per day (except on arrival and departure days)
- Medical insurance while at the Camp
- The Urban Camp Daily News
- Local transportation
- The Urban Camp Swag Bag
- Opening Ceremony
- Lessons + Workshops + Guest Speakers + The Urban Hackathon
- Part-time volunteering
- All activities during the camp
- 24-hour support by The Urban Camp Team
- Whistler Adventure Camp
- Certificate
- Farewell Dinner
What we do NOT include ... but could arrange
- Extra nights fees (could be arranged for a maximum of 3 nights)
- Unaccompanied minor pick-up/drop-off fee
- Off-hours transfer fee (1-way if landed between 10:00 pm and 8:00 am)
- Courier for notary letters
- Airplane ticket
- Personal expenses
- Unaccompanied minor fees charged by airlines
- Extra “super plus activities”
- The Urban Camp Insurance (example: lost suitcase, lost transit pass, daily incidentals)
- Laptops, tablets or smartphones
- Last-minute bookings (14 days before camps start)
FAQs
What's the deadline for registration and payment?
To ensure that all administrative efforts will run smoothly, all camps must be paid in full by June 10th, 2024 latest or a $200 late payment charge will be apply to your outstanding balance.
What happens if I signed up but won't be able to attend?
$500 registration fees are non refundable.
Full refunds (less $500 registration fee) for cancellations before April 1st 2024
Cancellations on or after April 1st, 2024 may receive a 30% reimbursement (less $500 registration fee)
Cancellations after May 10th, 2024 NO REFUND
All requests for changes or cancellations must be initiated by the parent/guardian and must be made in writing by email to info@theurbancamp.com. No WhatsApp or phone conversations will be taken into consideration for any changes and/or cancellations.
All refunds will be made thirty (30) days after the end of our summer programs and with prior written notification by parents/guardians.
The Urban Camp is a Canadian Institution and Startup registered and incorporated in British Columbia. We work in collaboration and partnership with Canadian companies that have clear and straightforward policies with respect to not offering exceptions or refunds due to cancellations or late payments. As such the Urban Camp is obliged to cover all costs charged by third parties working with us and so we are unable to accept any late payments or last minute cancellations. Furthermore, due to ethical and fairness related reasons we will not apply the payment of any camper to cover another camper’s balance due. No exceptions. The Urban Camp reserves the right to withdraw a student from any of the programs for late payments, negligence, dismissals due to disciplinary actions, alcohol or drug intake, bullying, physical or verbal harassment, and mistreatment of any of fellow campers and/or Team members. NO REFUND will be made. NO REFUND will be made for late arrivals or early departures for any of our programs.
I don't think my English is good enough to attend this camp. Can I still join?
We would love to have you in our camp. Let’s have a virtual interview and see your English level.
You can always take a minimum of 20 lessons of English pre-camp with our instructors online. These lessons are live from Canada and are delivered in a safe and low-key environment, so you can feel free to learn until you feel confident and comfortable joining this unique experience. Don’t worry; we will ensure you reach an A2 level and prepare you for the camp in Canada!
What makes you different from the other ESL camps?
We have the WOW Factor.
We understand how school and classic classrooms can make you feel. In Canada, you are on holiday. We want you to feel relaxed and enjoy your time while on vacation. Therefore practicing English in an immersive way is not only fun, but you will see more positive results than studying from a book in a classroom. Plus hey! You want to attend our Tech, Entrepreneurship and Wellness Labs! No matter how old you are.
Are my children going to be able to mingle with students from the other camp? (Full Experience)
Yes! And this is also where the magic happens. We ensure each camper gets two know two campers from other programs daily. Plus, your children can mingle with Asian, European, Central and South American students and Canadian and American students during our time on campus, during meals at the cafeteria and in Whistler! There are many chances to meet other campers!
Can students take this camp during winter or any other season?
Yes! We will be running a winter and Easter camp in 2024. Any other time during the year, we also host school groups! If you are a teacher or school owner, please contact us at edna@theurbancamp.com, and we will tailor a program according to your needs.
I am a mom, and I am interested in sending my three children to your camps. Do we get a family discount?
Yes. If you buy the camps directly with us, we can make that happen.
We have family discounts of 5% off the second or more campers. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
I would like to sell your camps to my children's friends. Do you have any affiliation programs?
Yes, we do! You can make up to $200 CAD per registered friend. The more, the merrier! Please get in touch with us for more details.
Where do the students stay while in Vancouver?
During our stay in Vancouver, we live at Totem Park Student Residence at the University of British Columbia. This is An excellent opportunity to live in a luxurious dorm where thousands of Canadian and international students live while they study their careers.
I heard you do a culinary tour for dinner. What does this mean?
We do have some dinners on campus so our Urban Campers can mingle with students from other nationalities; however, we also go out and take our students to try different cuisines. We have been to a Hawaiian, Indian, Thai, Japanese and Greek restaurants. Our Urban Campers love them all!
