Old Testament Class, Ladysmith Light Up and Caving

Last week students learned about the Old Testament

Last week Don Taylor came in from Briercrest to teach our students about the history and significance of the Old Testament.  Again, this was another exciting class for our students as there were many new things to learn.  

One of the major assignments associated with this class was the Old Testament Video that they had to produce.  This was a collective project that included the entire student body.  Alex MacKay, Dale Thielmann and Clint Kjar were assigned as the producers and directors of the video, while the rest of the students carried out tasks such as props, costume design and acting.  Overall, the video was a great success and we were proud to see the hard work that our students put into this assignment.

As an annual Camp Qwanoes tradition, staff and students gathered into the lounge at the end of the week to watch the video together.  We had a great time admiring the hard work of our students and pleased to see the end result.  Here is a link to the video so that you can enjoy it too!…

This week we attended the annual Ladysmith Light Up!

Every year the town of Ladysmith puts together an event that draws people from all over Vancouver Island.  Each Christmas season the town of Ladysmith, as well as its businesses, decorate main street with countless Christmas lights and decorations.  Santa Clause is then invited to flip the switch, lighting up the entire street with an array of lights!  This is then followed by a Christmas parade and concluded with fireworks!

As staff and students, we all bundled up in our winter clothing and headed into Ladysmith to partake in this festive event.  This was a great way for the students to take a break from their hard work and studies to simply enjoy a fun, festive event in preparation for Christmas!

We also went caving!

To end the week, we headed north to go caving!  Horne Lake Provincial Park is a locally-famous spot for caving and spelunking.  Other than most of our adventures which have consisted of a vast outdoor space, this was a chance to challenge ourselves with the small, dark and confined space of a cave.  For some of us (including myself) this is an experience that can be more mentally challenging than physical.  Regardless, we were happy to see all of our students partaking in this adventure with enthusiasm and excitement!

Please be in prayer

As this year draws to an end and Christmas break is on the horizon, our students still have one more class to go.  Please be in prayer for them as they read and prepare for their class on Monday.  Please also be praying for Qwanoes’ Mens Retreat that is taking place this weekend and that God will continue to do his work in the men that are enjoying camp and having a chance to relax.  Thank you so much for your continued prayer and support.  Merry Christmas from everyone here at Qwanoes!

In Him,

Dustin Smith

Kaléo Program Intern, Camp Qwanoes

Week of Prayer and Sr High Retreat

Last week we entered into our Week of Prayer

Another annual tradition that we hold here at the Kaléo Program is our Week of Prayer.  This is a chance for our students to slow down and take the opportunity to spend time with God in a different way than they might usually experience.  For the week, Qwanoes dedicates a room in Pacific Woods lodge specifically for prayer.  At the beginning of the week, students sign up for hour-long blocks throughout the Week of Prayer.  The idea is that for the entire week, there will always be someone engaging in conversation with God.

The prayer room itself is also meant to be a place of creativity and inspiration.  At the beginning of the week, the room is a blank canvas left with paper, sticky notes, window markers and tape.  Students are encouraged to use what ever they feel necessary to express how God is working through their lives and prayer.  By the end of the week we were excited to see how beautifully decorated the room was, expressing the unique creativity of our students.

We have heard a lot of great feedback from students about their time in the prayer room.  Although there are many great stories to share, here are a few examples from our students…

“It seemed that whenever I saw a prayer request posted on the wall, someone had always responded to it right away.  It was neat to see the support system here.”

-Colson Schulz

“I entered the week with expectations of God breaking me down.  That didn’t happen.  Instead through the silence God taught me a sense of fear and reverence of him.”

-Shinwon Yoon

“I was surprised to see the amount of progress through only a day in the prayer room.  There were so many prayer requests.  To see the anonymous struggles and pain of other students showed a whole different side of our community.  But it was equally amazing to see the love and response to those prayer requests too.”

-Rebekah Sheppard

We ended the week with Sr High Retreat

Last weekend camp was flooded again with another wave of campers, but this time they were older.  Campers aged 15-18 came to camp to enjoy our annual Fall Jr High Retreat.  Though only a couple of our students were serving as counsellors, many of them were serving in other areas such as programming, maintenance, worship, kitchen and dishes.  We were so impressed to see our students jump into the retreat with such excitement and enthusiasm!

Please be in prayer

This week our students are back in the classroom studying the Old Testament with Prof. Don Taylor.  Please be in prayer for them as they are in class this week, that they will be able to retain and focus on everything that they are learning.  Please also be in prayer for the staff team as they enter into their own week of prayer starting November 22.  Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers for our students and program!

In Him,

Dustin Smith

Kaléo Program Intern, Camp Qwanoes

Tofino Surf Trip and Jr High Retreat

 Last week we went surfing in Tofino

After a long week of studying and writing assignments, we decided that it was time to pack our bags and head for the most western coast of British Columbia.  Tofino’s beaches are world famous for locals and tourists to come and learn how to surf.  This three day trip was much needed for our students and a fun way to switch gears after Gospels class.

We took a few stops along the way

Although Tofino was the destination, we decided to stop at a few scenic spots along the way to experience the true heart of BC.  One of theses stops was Cathedral Grove, a beautiful forest hike amongst some of Canada’s largest and most spectacular trees.  With some trees measuring as tall as 250ft in height and 29ft in circumference, this was truly an amazing experience to see yet another amazing aspect of God’s amazing creation.

We hit the water with style

It was finally time for us to go surfing!  So we packed into the vans and drove to Cox bay, where our surf instructors Estuardo and Antonio were waiting for us.  Once we arrived we cinched on our wetsuits, grabbed our surfboards and headed to the beach to hang-ten on the water!

Although our first day of surfing was rather cloudy, our second day on the water was sunny and beautiful, which helped a bit while jumping into the cold 12 degree water.  It was also quite entertaining to watch as we all shrieked while putting on our cold damp wetsuits early in the morning!

After two long, and very tiring, days of paddling and fighting waves, we were excited to see everyone stand on their boards and ride the waves of Tofino, most for their first time ever.  This was by far one of our most memorable experiences so far in the Kaléo Program.  Though challenging, this trip was just another example of how God’s creation can be experienced in so many unique ways.

Camp Qwanoes and the Kaléo Program would like to thank our instructors Estuardo and Antonio, as well as Tofino Surf Adventures for a memorable experience on the water this year!  We would also like to thank Christ Community Church for opening up their doors and giving us a cozy home for the week.

We ended the week with Jr High Retreat

To end off the amazing week we had in Tofino, Camp Qwanoes was flooded once again with a wave of campers.  This time around we hosted Jr High campers aged 12-14.  Many of our students were involved in serving during the retreat in roles such as counselling, activity support, maintenance, and the kitchen.  As always it was a very successful weekend and we were sad to see the campers go after only a few short days.

Please be in prayer

Please be in prayer this week for our students as they are entering into one of their busiest times of the program.  Currently they are immersed in reading assignments, papers, group projects and serving in retreats.  As this is a full schedule, they are beginning to feel the weight of the program and need prayer for energy and focus.  Additionally we would like to ask that you would be praying for the many campers that have been, and will be involved in our retreats this season.  Again we thank you for your support and prayers for our students!

In Him,

Dustin Smith

Camp Qwanoes, Kaléo Program Intern

Gospels Week and Harvest Season

Last week, we had Wes Olmstead join us from Briercrest

Our students began their study of Gospels with Dr. Wes Olmstead.  Wes’ experience with the Gospels is quite substantial and we were very glad to have him here to share his take and approach to the four books, with a primary focus on the Book of Matthew.

This class is one of the heavier classes the students will be taking through the Kaléo Program.  While the classes were long and full of information, they have without a doubt been learning a lot about the Gospels and how it applies to their faith.  This class has made a large impact on our students and we are amazed to see the unique ways in which it has challenged them.

As a part of their class, students were also asked to carry out a group presentation based on assigned texts from the Book of Matthew.  Groups were each tasked with a five minute presentation, discussing commentaries and reflecting on the text.  We were impressed to see students take to this assignment with such enthusiasm and hard work!

We came together with staff to watch The Passion of the Christ

Later in the week, Qwanoes staff and students came together to watch The Passion of the Christ.  This is an annual event here at Qwanoes in which we take the time to admire and remember the loving sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and not simply limiting it to Easter.  Afterwards we had a time of discussion, reflection and prayer about the parts of the story that impacted us the most.

We celebrated October 31st with a Harvest Party!

Another annual tradition of the Kaléo program is to throw a Harvest Party for our students.  After a long week of classes, this was a great opportunity for them to unwind and relax.  Everyone took the time to dress up in fun costumes and share in treats, games and dancing!

Please pray for our students

We still have two more classes until winter break, which means our students are still working diligently at their studies to prepare for assignments and exams.  Please be in prayer for them that they can keep focussed and continue to take in everything that they are learning and reading.  Additionally, we still have a few more retreats left this season and our students will be heavily involved in camp ministry here at Qwanoes.  Please pray for strength and energy for them throughout these retreats.  Thank you so much for your prayers and support!

In him,

Dustin Smith

Kaléo Program Intern, Camp Qwanoes