Magical Summer Camp
Magical Mayhem Camp 2022! Registration is Open!
We are back with our beloved magical summer camp for ages 7-14, July 25th to 29th, 2022! Over the years our summer camp has evolved from our origins as “Hogwarts West” to the newly discovered land of Integria, an archipelago nation in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle. Every summer we have explored social and environmental justice issues through the avenue of role play, theatre, and ritual. Underpinning it all is our value of Radical Inclusivity and support for every child to thrive, be themselves, show up and participate in the way that works for them.
When:
July 25-29, 2022, 9:00am–4:00pm (optional after-care until 5:30 pm)
Register here: https://vancouver.breezechms.com/form/MagicCamp2022
Mythical Creators–ages 10-14
Register for Mythical Creators to focus on building lore and creating a theatrical story adventure to share with families at the end of the week. The entire UCV campus, buildings, gardens, and grounds are waiting for your magical touch. The week culminates with a Faire and Festival for family and friends.
Magical Explorers–ages 7-9
Register for Magical Explorers to focus on creating a magical character through improv, exploring the gardens, crafting and creating a world of magic and mystery. Bring your character to life in a story to share at our family faire at the end of the week.
Camper Code of Conduct
We have three simple rules that everyone from the Director to new students are expected to follow. These rules are created in the spirit of our 8 Unitarian Universalist principles and are:
- We make sure every living being is cared for, respected, and safe.
- We respect the work of others.
- We take care of our space and what we use.
The Camp Director reserves the right to remove a camper from activities out of concern for safety and respect. If a camper cannot return to right relations with the group, a parent/guardian will be asked to remove them from camp.
Camp Fees and Policies (2022)
Date and time: July 25-29, 2022, 9 am – 4 pm
Camp fee: sliding scale $100–$410
About Sliding Scale Pricing:
We follow the Canadian Unitarian Council’s lead on making our program as financially accessible as possible. Sliding scale fees are designed to allow participants to choose how much they are able to pay for registration. If you are unsure how much you should be paying, here are a few words about sliding scale to think about:
“When I pay more, I know that I am helping others to access the event. When I pay in the middle, I know I am helping the organizers cover costs. And when I pay at the bottom, I know I am letting my community hold me and support me. All of these are wonderful and acceptable ways of participating.”
“Please be mindful that if you purchase a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher ticket prices, you are limiting access to those who truly need the gift of financial flexibility. Being honest with yourself and your financial situation when engaging with sliding scale practices grows strong and sustainable communities.” (Source: Sliding Scale Why, How, and Sorting Out Who)
Use this “Green Bottle” chart from “Worts and Cunning” to help you figure out on which end of the scale you should be paying (click to enlarge):
Camperships
The Unitarian Church of Vancouver intends to be inclusive and accessible to everyone. If the lowest end of the camp fee still presents a barrier to your participation we provide camperships. A campership may include before and after care, public transportation, and lunch if requested. Applications will be processed on an ongoing, first-come, first-served basis as long as funds are available. A deposit in good faith of an amount you can afford is requested to hold your spot. The deposit will be refunded if available campership funds do not meet your needs and you decide to release the spot. Once you accept the campership, the deposit is nonrefundable.
Donate to Campership Fund
Donations to our Campership Fund are tax deductible and ensure that all children are able to attend camp with us, regardless of their family’s financial situation. Click the link above to send a secure donation by credit or debit card. Cheque donations to The Unitarian Church of Vancouver with “HP Summer Camp Donation” in the memo can be submitted using the Sunday morning donation envelopes or mailed to:
Unitarian Church of Vancouver
Attn: Summer Camp
949 West 49th Ave
Vancouver, BC V5Z 2T1
Cancellation and Refund Policy
All requests for refunds must be submitted to the Program Director, by e-mail (dre@vancouverunitarians.ca). Requests for refunds receive a full refund less a 15% administrative fee per registrant. If less than one week’s notice is given 50% of the fee will be refunded. If notice is given on or after the start date of the program, no refund will be given.
Where we came from:
We created a camp in 2018 based on the Hogwarts and Harry Potter theme. It was an immersive experience expanding upon the beloved books using a Unitarian Universalist social action curriculum, “Harry and UU,” written for grades 4-5 Copyright 2014, Karen Hager, Blacksburg, VA. We combined the structure and tools of this curriculum with theatre and improv to create a unique and engaging summer camp experience.
In 2018 our Hall became Hogwarts. We held classes in potions, herbology, charms, and muggle Quidditch. Imaginations evolved a truly magical week. We explored the Horcrux of Waste and how to move towards zero waste living.
For 2019 our social justice focus centred around water, its importance, influence, and keeping it clean. We identified two local water issues for the children to explore and learn about. We had a week of living theatre, social justice, and a whole lot of fun.
2020 brought many restrictions on how we could run camp, and we ran it with limited numbers. We put in place many innovations to get us outside as much as possible, which was a great motivator. We learned about aspects of child labour and the harm it causes, and how we can change our buying patterns and raise our voice for change.
Where we are now:
Vancouver Unitarians is a Welcoming Congregation, which means we work to be inclusive of and welcoming for people of all identities, genders, and sexual orientations. As Unitarians we value the inherent worth and dignity of every person. In light of J. K. Rowling’s public, far-reaching, and harmful statements about transgender women and girls, we cannot implicitly endorse her views by promoting her work through our summer camp program.
Our camp was never authorized, approved, endorsed, nor licensed by J.K. Rowling, or any corporation or person associated with her work. However, to publicly promote a Hogwarts Summer Camp implies that we, as a community and institution, are at least neutral to her views. This could not be further from the truth and Vancouver Unitarians must be clear where we stand. Authors with a far-reaching voice must be held accountable when they cause harm or promote harmful actions. If you have questions about this controversy, this open letter from Mermaids, a transgender support organization in the UK, explains the issues and the harm clearly and compassionately. Since 2020, J.K.R. has continued to stay firm in her assertions and extol biological absolutes while refusing to enter into conversation with transgender people and advocates.
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