Limited spots remaining
Compass Outdoor Education
Winter Camp 2026
Real outdoor adventures across Vancouver every day
Choose Your Favorite Theme
The Secret of Snow
Age: 3-5 and 6-12
Date: December 21
Location: VanDusen Botanical GardenFrom winter plants and hidden buds to seasonal changes, campers explore how nature adapts to colder weather. Through outdoor observation, sensory activities, creative projects, and hands-on discovery, children build curiosity while learning how plants and ecosystems survive through winter.
Inventors & Artists
Age: 3-5 and 6-12
Date: December 22
Location: Vancouver AquariumWhere creativity meets discovery. Campers observe colours, shapes, patterns, and movement in the world around them, then turn their ideas into hands-on art and design projects. Through creative challenges, building, and experimentation, children explore the connection between art, science, and engineering.
Elf Engineers
Age: 3-5 and 6-12
Date: December 23
Location: Science World
Step into Santa’s workshop and become an engineer for the day! Campers explore how simple machines, force, balance, and movement work through hands-on building challenges. From designing structures to testing sleighs and ramps, children develop problem-solving, teamwork, and early engineering skills.
Age: 3-5 and 6-12
Date: December 24
Location: Vancouver Maritime Museum
Christmas on the Sea
Set sail on a winter adventure and discover what life at sea is really like. Campers explore ships, navigation, crew roles, and the challenges of travelling through cold waters while taking part in hands-on building, role play, and team activities inspired by maritime exploration.
Frozen Seas
Age: 3-5 and 6-12
Date: December 24
Location: Vancouver Maritime Museum
Dive into the world of animals that survive in icy oceans. Campers investigate how marine animals stay warm, move through water, and adapt to cold environments through observation, simple experiments, creative projects, and guided aquarium exploration.
Winter Wonder
Age: 3-5 and 6-12
Date: December 30
Location: Granville Island
Discover winter through real-world exploration at Granville Island. Campers observe how the season shapes our surroundings and daily life while taking part in creative challenges, hands-on activities, and team-based problem-solving that encourage curiosity, communication, and exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our camps are designed for children ages 3–12. We have two levels: Junior Trailblazers (ages 3–6) and Mighty Explorers (ages 7–12).
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We are an outdoor program and go outside in most weather. We ensure children come in with appropriate clothing (raincoat, rain pants, rainboots). We monitor forecasts and communicate with families in advance if conditions become unsafe. In these cases, we will move to a community space that is sheltered from the weather.
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Comfortable outdoor clothing, rain jacket, water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, extra socks and appropriate footwear. A full packing list is sent before the sessions.
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Location maps and meeting points are confirmed by email before each session. We explore multiple locations across the Lower Mainland.
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Absolutely! Our small group format with an experienced Compass team creates a safe, welcoming environment for all children, including those joining for the first time.
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out using the contact form, and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
