Did you work at or attend YMCA Camp Elphinstone, Camp Howdy, Camp Deka or Camp Kanannaq?
Stay in touch with YMCA Camps and your camp friends!
Join the Alumni Program
If you were an employee, camper or parent of a camper at any of our YMCA Camps, we invite you to join our Camp Alumni Program.
Be the first to hear about upcoming events, important updates and other ways to get involved! Click below to join our mailing list and get started.
Alumni Events
When you're part of the YMCA Camp Alumni program, you'll get invites to fun events bringing the alumni community together! Our events are a great way to reconnect with old friends, share past memories with family members, and to be in the know about what's happening with our current and future camp programming.
We are delighted to announce the schedule for 2026 Camp Alumni events! Please mark your calendars, plan to attend these gatherings and reconnect with the YMCA camp community.
March 28, 2026 - Opening weekend work party at Camp Elphinstone
Alumni are invited to help open the camp facilities for the spring and summer season. Activities include bringing out of storage the boats and out-trip equipment, clearing trails of and ready to open to guests. This is a day trip at camp. Work in the morning, have lunch, work in the afternoon and return home at the end of the day. Click here for more information.
May 3, 2026 - Volunteer at the BMO Vancouver Marathon
The YMCA will have a water station set up at Second Beach in Stanley Park to support marathon runners. Join the camp alumni team and cheer on the athletes as they pass the 33km mark. Click this link to register as a volunteer.
July 18, 2026 - Alumni Picnic and BBQ
Whether you went to Camp Elphinstone, Camp Howdy, Camp Deka or Camp Kannanaq, you are invited to mingle with camp alumni from across the generations as well as meet up with your old camp friends. Details about the time and place will be made available this spring. Express your interest today!
August 16, 2026 - Alumni Day at Camp and Alumni Swim Challenge
Are you curious about open water swimming? Join a group of camp alumni swimmers who will make a lifeguard-supported, early morning crossing from Gambier Island to the camp dock. Or, come later in the day for lunch and a walking tour of camp property. This event was a great success in 2025. Get on the invite list!
August 30, 2026 - Summer Family Camp
Join us for three nights at camp in the week before Labour Day. This is usually a great time of year for dry summer weather and waterfront activities. Registration opens January 30.
October 9, 2026 - Fall Family Camp
A two-night stay at Camp Elphinstone featuring the annual Pumpkin Drop on the Thanksgiving Day long weekend. Registration opens January 30.
October 17 & 18, 2026
Fall weekend work party at Camp Elphinstone. Interested in overnighting at Camp Elphinstone again? This event starts with an afternoon of putting away boats and camp equipment into seasonal storage. After dinner, test your memory of campfire songs and recollection of skits from Elphinstone’s past. The next morning after breakfast, work continues to make camp ready for the winter season. Express your interest today!
Alumni Newsletter
Want to learn more about the latest from our YMCA Camps or updates of interest for camp alumni? Alumni Program members will receive our recurring newsletter, featuring alumni stories, upcoming alumni events and other camp news. Click below to read our current issue!
Support Camp
Make a donation to support ongoing operations at YMCA BC Camps, or to help those without the means to attend camp to access financial assistance!