Depending on the kids in the unit that year and their maturity level, we decide if we will offer a day camp or an overnight camp. Sparks will only ever sleepover for one night.

Unless there is a special event during the year, Sparks usually go camping at the end of the year in June. This year, we are doing a sleepover on June 12th. See more information here.

Yes! Usually when we offer overnight camp, we also give Sparks the option of just coming for the day.

For our upcoming Jungle Cat World sleepover, please speak to us to determine if coming for just the evening makes sense.

Please talk to us!  We can’t help if we don’t know and cost should never present a barrier to any Spark attending camp. There is subsidy we can help you access at both the national and unit level.

A Spark’s first sleepover can be a mix of excitement and nerves – for both caregivers and the Sparks! Know that Guiders are required to complete a rigorous Emergency Preparedness program any time we want to take Guides camping, and between the Spark leaders, we have more than 25 years of experience taking the little ones overnight.

For the Sparks, the trick is to keep the fun coming and really run them out right before bed. A sleepy Spark usually doesn’t notice anything but fun until pick up the next morning.

If you still aren’t sure if your Spark is ready for the overnight, here’s some things to try at home to get them ready: 

Have them try out a sleepover somewhere they know, like at a relative’s or family friend’s house. Send them with all the same things you’d send to camp and see how they do closer to home.

Be excited about the sleepover and talk about it at home! When we worry as adults, kids pick up on it. The more excited you are, the more excited they will be to try.

Don’t disrupt their routine. Do you read before bed? Tuck them in? Send them to camp with a favourite book, or show them how to do the same routine for a favourite stuffy so they can do the same at camp. Practice letting them get ready alone a few days before camp. Repeating a regular routine helps them feel safe in a new place. When things are too different, they start to remember they aren’t at home.

Don’t tell them they can call you anytime. It seems odd, but if a Spark knows they can go home, it’s the first thing they will ask for. Instead, let them know they can always ask a leader for help. We will call you if they really need to speak to you or go home.

Of course! But we’re going to try everything we can to try and get them through the night first. Usually a Guider can talk them down and back to bed. But if they are feeling unwell or we really can’t get them back to bed without speaking to you on the phone, we will call and determine if they need to be picked up. (But in 13 years, I’ve only had one kid actually need to go home)

Generally speaking, parents are not permitted to join us for sleepovers and camps. These adventures are an opportunity for your Spark to practice independence away from caregivers, just like their weekly meetings.

Additionally, Guiders go through and submit extensive emergency preparedness planning, first aid training, and criminal records checks before taking any Guide overnight.

However, if you have a genuine medical or behavioural concern regarding your Spark’s ability to participate without you, please speak to us and we will determine the need on a case by case basis.

This is pretty normal for Sparks. If your Spark wears pull ups and knows how to get ready for bed by themselves, they should be fine. If they only sometimes wet the bed, let them know it’s okay and to get a leader if they do. It would be a good idea to pack an extra blanket and PJs just in case.

Yes. We usually sleep in a separate section of the room or a nearby room depending on the layout of where we are staying.

As much as possible, we encourage you to let your Spark focus on camp and consider rescheduling or skipping other weekend activities.

While we do our best to accommodate, camp doesn’t run on an exacting schedule and follows the needs of the kids at the time. So it can be difficult to plan our activities around your schedule. Additionally, your Spark may miss out on most of the activities depending on your schedule.

We have done everything we can to keep kit list items to a minimum and supply unit items when we can.

So if it’s on the list, its a must for your child’s safety and to ensure they have a comfortable and safe time.

We’re here to help! Just ask us. We will also have a camp meeting with parents before the paperwork deadline to answer questions and help the Sparks feel ready for adventure.