prepare to feel empowered
TRAVEL INFORMATION
-
The Empower Camp Kick-Off starts at 3pm on Thursday, July 10.
If you are arriving by air, you can:
Organize your own transportation to Whistler.
Book our Airport Shuttle add-on and be greeted by our staff at the airport (details in the “Airport Shuttle” section below).
If you are arriving by car:
Meet our crew at the Whistler Athletes’ Village at the scheduled check-in time.
The Empower Camp Wrap-Up is at 10am on Sunday, July 19.
If you are leaving by air, you can:
Organize your own transportation to the Vancouver Airport.
Book our Airport Shuttle add-on and be driven to the airport by our staff (see details in the “Airport Shuttle” section below).
If you are leaving by car:
Parents/Guardians should plan to pick-up their camper at 10am at the Whistler Athletes’ Village.
For late arrivals or early departures, please email us to discuss logistics.
-
We recommend booking our Airport Shuttle so campers can get to know each other & our Empower Staff from the moment they step foot at the airport. This shared travel experience will help campers form connections right away. The experience starts now!
To take advantage of this add-on, select “Airport Shuttle” at registration. You will be asked to provide a flight itinerary. Empower Staff will individually reach out to campers to organize transportation.
Campers flying in to YVR on July 10 will be greeted and supervised by Empower Staff from 8am until their scheduled shuttle.
Campers flying out of YVR on July 19 will be driven to the airport, receive assistance to check-in, and be walked to the security gate.
This optional add-on is $149 + GST each way.
-
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended.
Emergency Medical Insurance is a mandatory insurance policy for international campers. When selecting a policy, ensure it includes coverage for overnight summer camp programs, and outdoor activities such as mountain biking, zip lining, camping, and hiking.
International Campers must submit proof of policy.
Canadian Campers must submit a copy of their provincial health care coverage card.
Unforeseen medical expenses can be expensive without the required coverage. Ensure to purchase your policy at the time of registration.
-
Children under the age of 18 must travel with the following documents:
Their own Passport
A copy of their Birth Certificate
A Letter of Authorization signed by both parents or legal guardians
Click here for the Letter of Authorization’s requirements.
Click here to find out whether your child needs a Visitor Visa to enter Canada.
You are responsible for ensuring your child has the proper travel documents.
camper safety
Camper safety is our top priority, and campers themselves will learn about duty of care, best class management habits, and safe teaching practices throughout their experience at Empower Leadership Camps.
The Whistler Health Care Centre is located in the village and operates from 8am to 10pm. For urgent and emergency care between 10pm and 8am, an after-hours physician can be reached.
Medical centre
our staff
Our Empower Staff is certified in First Aid and CPR. We operate with ratios of 8:1, with an on-call camp counsellor and director. Campers are supervised at all times by Empower Staff or Pathway Coaches.
All training sessions and activities take place in or around Whistler, within cell phone coverage. The guided overnight hike takes place in the Sea to Sky Corridor, on known hiking paths between Pemberton and Vancouver.
emergencies
packing list
Gather your gear, clothes, and bags! Campers should refer to the Packing List and the general guidelines below.
Campers are permitted up to 2 bags. Duffle bags or soft, foldable luggage is ideal (avoid rigid suitcases).
BAGS
label
All camper items should be labelled with durable label stickers or permanent markers.
All sports equipment is provided, except for mountain bikes. Some camping equipment is provided, including tents and camp kitchen gear. Campers may select add-on equipment at registration.
gear
Campers in the Mountain Bike Pathway should bring their own protective equipment and hip pack/back pack.
Campers may bring their own bike and helmet, or select the add-on at the time of registration.
mtb
Campers in the Tennis Pathway should bring their own court shoes. They may borrow a racquet from the WRC or bring their own.
TENNIS
-
Empower Leadership Camps pack a whole lot in 10 days, and no camper wants to spend their free time doing laundry. We recommend packing enough clothing for the entire camp.
Complimentary laundry facilities are available at the Whistler Athletes’ Centre should campers need to do a load of laundry. Soap is available for purchase at the front desk.
-
The Whistler Athletes’ Centre in-house catering team will work around your dietary restrictions and/or allergies.
If this applies to you, indicate your dietary restrictions and/or allergies clearly on the appropriate registration forms. We encourage campers with anaphylaxis allergies to email us with more details.
-
For the purpose of connection, Empower Leadership Camps is a phone-free and tablet-free environment during activities and sessions. Specific times are built in each day’s schedule for campers to use their phones/tablets:
Before breakfast (around 7am-8am PST)
Before dinner (around 5pm-6pm PST)
Campers will not have access to their phones/tablets during sessions, activities, or overnight.
-
How to reach your camper
We understand that you may want to contact your camper while they are at Empower Leadership Camps. The best times to reach them at are:
Between 7am-8am PST
Between 5pm-6pm PST
Note that campers will not have access to their phones outside of those times.
How to reach our staff
Should you need to contact Empower Leadership Camps:
*Phone line monitored between 8am-6pm. Refrain from calling between 6pm-8am unless it is for very time sensitive matters.