Camp Caravan 2026 Site Application
  • Camp Caravan 2026 – Site Application


    Hosting Information & Partnership Overview

    Interest in hosting Camp Caravan continues to grow, and the ways we partner with congregations and community sites continue to evolve as we look toward the 2026 season.

    Congregations and community partners interested in hosting Camp Caravan in 2026 are invited to complete this short application. The information you share will help us better understand your site, assess readiness and capacity, and support thoughtful matching between Camp Caravan and host communities.

    Camp weeks are confirmed based on a range of factors, including site suitability, community capacity, staffing considerations, geographic balance, and the details provided in this application.

    Please note: An inability to answer “YES” to all questions will not automatically disqualify a site from consideration. We value conversation, creativity, and shared problem-solving as part of our discernment process.

    Applications for the 2026 season will remain open until all available camp weeks are confirmed.

  • Why Camp Caravan?
    In partnership with local United Church congregations and community partners across Chinook Winds Region, Camp Caravan provides trained and equipped leaders who nurture the spirit of each child and support children and families in living lives shaped by faith, hope, compassion, and belonging.

    Camp Caravan is hosted in United Church and community spaces to support meaningful relationship-building with children and families—both those already connected to the church and those from the surrounding community. By bringing Camp Caravan into local neighbourhoods, we strengthen ministries with children, youth, and families and help foster connections that continue well beyond the camp week.


    Why Host Camp Caravan?
    Hosting Camp Caravan is an opportunity to open your space to children and families in a joyful, welcoming, and values-based environment. Rooted in the Christian faith of the United Church, Camp Caravan expresses faith through hospitality, compassion, curiosity, and care for one another.

    Through this partnership, your site becomes a place where children experience belonging, kindness, creativity, and community—while enjoying a meaningful and memorable summer camp experience. Camp Caravan is intentionally designed to be welcoming of children and families from all backgrounds, with faith shared in inclusive, age-appropriate, and accessible ways.


    Why Is a Camp Caravan Site Host Important?
    The Camp Caravan Site Host plays a vital role in ensuring a successful, safe, and welcoming camp experience. Site Hosts help ground the camp in the local community and provide essential on-site support.

    Areas of support include:

    • Building Relationships
      Acting as a bridge between the congregation, community, campers, and families—helping foster connections that extend beyond the camp week.
    • Logistical Support
      Assisting with access to spaces, daily setup needs, and supporting smooth camp operations.
    • Health & Safety Support
      Partnering with Camp Caravan staff to help ensure a secure, well-managed environment for children, volunteers, and staff.
    • Hospitality & Welcome
      Helping create a space where all participants feel valued, respected, and at home.

    Camp Caravan: A Summer of Fun, Friendship & Faith

    Camp Caravan is a joyful, week-long summer day camp for children entering Kindergarten to Grade 7. Each day is filled with adventure, creativity, and connection—inviting kids to explore kindness, community, and the joy of being themselves.

    Through hands-on activities, outdoor play, music, stories, and team games, campers experience faith in action in ways that are welcoming, inclusive, and fun. Led by a caring team of trained leaders, Camp Caravan creates a space where every child feels safe, supported, and celebrated.

    Rooted in the Christian tradition of the United Church of Canada, Camp Caravan reflects a faith that is open, relational, justice-seeking, and grounded in love. Faith is shared through curiosity, creativity, and compassion, honouring diverse identities, beliefs, and family experiences while centring values of belonging, care, and community.

    Camp Caravan also nurtures leadership and growth across ages. In addition to our core camper program, many sites welcome Junior Youth (ages 12–14) who enjoy the full camp experience while stepping into emerging leadership by supporting younger campers. YouthCrew (ages 15–17) serve as junior staff, receiving mentorship from senior leaders while gaining leadership experience, responsibility, and volunteer hours—all at no cost to participate.

    Come discover a week of friendship, laughter, and meaningful moments—for campers, youth, and leaders alike—because at Camp Caravan, adventure is always on the move.

    What Makes Camp Caravan Special

    • Everyone Belongs
      Camp Caravan is intentionally inclusive. Every child and youth is welcomed just as they are.
    • Faith You Can Experience
      Faith is explored through play, creativity, service, and storytelling—meeting young people where they are.
    • Learning Through Doing
      Hands-on, experiential activities keep campers engaged, curious, and excited.
    • Outdoor & Community-Based
      We spend time outside every day and connect with local neighbourhood spaces.
    • Accessible to Families
      Subsidy options are available so finances are never a barrier to participation.

    Core Values
    Belong • Wonder • Care • Create
    Rooted in Belonging. Guided by Wonder. Grounded in Care. Lived through Creativity.

    Camp Caravan is a ministry of First Third Ministry, in partnership with Fish Creek Shared Ministries and Chinook Winds Regional Council, offering community-based summer programs where Christian faith is lived through relationship, play, and shared purpose.

     

  •  Becoming a Camp Caravan Host Site: What We Need From You

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Camp Caravan Staff Accommodations – Communities of Faith Outside the Calgary Area

    Camp Caravan prioritizes community-sourced accommodations, which help build relationships and reduce costs. As part of this approach, we have moved away from housing staff in hotels or rented accommodations whenever possible.

    Our accommodation requests are as follows:

    Homestay Option

    For locations within the Chinook Winds Region but outside the Calgary area, we ask host sites to provide:

    • Homestays for up to six staff members, with a minimum of two staff per home, each with separate beds, within a 20-minute travel distance to the church/camp location.

    A Homestay includes:

    • At least two separate beds in a home with a Police Record Checked adult(s) living there
    • Kitchen access and groceries for breakfast preparation
    • Kitchen access and groceries or dinner prepared for homestay guests
    • Homestay hosts are referred by your Community of Faith and vetted by Camp Caravan
    • A per-person, per-night remuneration is provided to the homestay host

    Alternative Accommodation Option

    If homestays are not available, an alternative accommodation arrangement may be made by providing:

    • A location with separate beds for up to seven people (six staff + one local chaperone), such as an empty home, camp buildings, lodge, or Vrbo
    • A vetted responsible adult (age 25+) to stay with the team for the week (job description available)
    • Camp Caravan will contribute the equivalent homestay remuneration toward this accommodation and food

    For further details, the 2025 Homestay Guide is available below.

  • Rows
  • Thank You & Contact Information

    Thank you for taking the time to complete this application and for your dedication to creating a meaningful Camp Caravan experience. Your thoughtful responses help ensure we build a program that is well-equipped, capable, and ready to serve our Communities of Faith.

    If you have any curiosities, wonders, questions or would like to discuss any details further, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Lisa Penzo at lpenzo@united-church.ca . 

    Thank you for your commitment to this ministry—we look forward to partnering with you!

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