Scouts Canada: Summer Camps in Alberta Celebrate Rich Heritage

Summary: Kids can make new summer memories at Scouts Canada's Summer Camps in Alberta. Registration is now open for the adventure and horseback riding camps at Camp Impeesa, with limited spots at Camp Woods, which has added a new week to meet demand.

LETHBRIDGE, AB, June 22, 2018 /CNW/ - If you listen carefully, you can hear the sound of laughter deep within the Alberta wilderness. Every summer, kids from all walks of life leave their electronic devices and stresses behind to take part in fun activities and exciting adventures offered at Scouts Canada's Summer Camps in Alberta.

2018 is no exception as Scouts Canada prepares for its popular overnight camps at Camp Woods and Camp Impeesa.

Following the principles set out by Scouts founder Robert Baden-Powell, both Camp Impeesa and Camp Woods are designed to give children a happy, healthy, and helpful experience while enjoying the great outdoors, says Fiona Nicholson, regional director for Scouts Canada, Western Canada.

"Our kids camps share a rich heritage of providing children with an unforgettable experience in the Alberta wilderness," says Nicholson. "We are excited to open up the camp season once again to both girls and boys. Our summer camps for kids are available to both Scouts and non-Scouts and offer children a way to go on fun adventures, make new friends, and experience new memories in a safe environment." 

The site of jamborees since the 1930s, Camp Woods is located on a beautiful 103-acre property on the shores of Sylvan Lake. It was developed by Scouts in Red Deer to give youth a campsite to develop their leadership and skills in the great outdoors. 

Camp Woods still plays host to large jamborees and its summer camps have grown in popularity. Today, kids from ages eight to 10 come from Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and elsewhere to attend the four-night overnight camps, where they learn to overcome challenges and build self-esteem with activities such as archery, sailing, hiking and climbing the camp's 35-foot Aspire Challenge Tower.

Founded in 1967 as a base for Scouts going on backpack trips, and later as a residential program for Cubs and Scouts, Camp Impeesa is nestled south of the Crowsnest Highway, off the shores of Beaver Mines Lake. Open to children ranging in age from eight to 17, the newly renovated camp's numerous activities and facilities make it one of the top kids camps in Alberta within driving distance to Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Calgary.

At Camp Impeesa, kids learn outdoor adventure skills while participating in activities including hiking, climbing, backcountry camping, orienteering, paddling, tomahawk throwing and more. They also learn imperative Scoutcraft skills such as building shelters, starting a campfire, sleeping outdoors, cleaning up camp, as well as knowing how to stay safe in the wilderness.

Among Camp Impeesa's adventure programs is the Timber Trails Horse Camp, which returns this year from August 5 to 10. One of the only horseback riding camps in Alberta, which also offers Calgary horse camps, it is open to Scouts and non-Scouts who are 13 to 17 years old. The youth are introduced to riding and skills, while exploring the backcountry and camping overnight.

All of Scouts Canada's overnight camps in Alberta include healthy meals and nightly group campfires under the stars.

About Scouts Canada Alberta Summer Camps:
Both Camp Woods and Camp Impeesa offer adventure programs for Scouts and non-Scouts.

Camp Woods, located 25 kilometres east of Red Deer on the shores of Sylvan Lake, offers four weekly camps from Monday to Friday through July. A fifth camp has been added, Aug. 6-10, to accommodate its waitlist and growing interest. Only a few spots are left. To register, visit: http://campwoods.ca/register-now.html.

One of Canada's premier high adventure and mountain wilderness summer camps located in the Rocky Mountains near Pincher Creek, AB, Camp Impeesa offers adventure program and horseback riding camps Sunday to Friday through the months of July and August. Camp Impeesa is still accepting camp registrations for their adventure summer camps and Timber Trails Horse Camp. To learn more, visit http://campimpeesa.ca/summer-camps/overview.html.

SOURCE Scouts Canada