Join the Canoe Island French Camp Family!

At Canoe Island French Camp, we are a family. Camp activities and songs focused on French language and culture take place on our own pristine island in the San Juan archipelago and connect us for a lifetime. Just last week I posted a photo from 1986, and a camper from that summer was able to recall exactly what day of the week the photo took place. This highlights the lasting memories that are shared by Canoe Islanders. There are many benefits to sharing these experiences with your family by attending family camp.

The American Camp Association collaborated with Virginia universities to examine the impact of family camp on youth and their families in a 2012 study. The study supported the idea that residential family camps are an excellent environment to enhance family relationships through quality family time, a relaxing environment, spending time away from the stress of day-to-day routines and teamwork involved in activities or living together. Here at Canoe Island French Camp we offer three wonderful family camps throughout the year. Space is still available for our 2016 programs! We'd love to welcome you to the Canoe Island French Camp family.

families enjoy a sail at a Canoe Island French Camp Family Camp

Charcuterie Creations

Devin Lowder, chef extraordinaire, is returning for another summer at Canoe Island French Camp and we couldn't be more excited. Especially since he has started back in the kitchen and begun curing salami, sausage and black forest ham for our spring and summer programs! The large walk in fridge used for camp is currently being used for most of the charcuterie operations. During the summer Devin says he will need to do one more round of curing meats to meet our programming demand. By then the walk in fridge will be in use, and Devin will use la cave, Dr. Austin's old wine cellar, to cure the remainder of the mouth watering viande! When is the soonest you can come try these savory delights? Sign up for one of our three Family Camps this spring and you'll be one of the first to taste these fresh charcuteries!

Devin and his first round of 2016 charcuteries

French uproar over labor reforms

France is known for their 35 hour work weeks and ample paid vacation time. They seem to know how to balance work and leisure. A new set of labor reforms, leaked to the press in February, are the cause of recent protests in France. The reforms lift many constraints on employers including increases to maximum work hours, what time is counted while someone works 'on call' and even benefits employees in some cases by giving legal protection to those who don't check work emails after hours. For more details about the work reforms check out this article featured in 'the Local in France'. Don't worry folks, we aren't making any big schedule changes to camp this summer! Everyone still gets a daily 'repos'. What do you think of the reforms? Are the French becoming less French?

don't become a goat by these literal translations!

Literal translations of foreign phrases don't always make sense. Here are four French phrases that make no sense when written out in English.

Enfoncer des portes ouvertes~ to break down open doors

Poser un lapin~ to leave a rabbit

Quand les poules auront les dents~ when chickens will have teeth

Devenir chèvre~ to become a goat

To discover the more sensible English equivalents of these phrases, enjoy this hilarious video. 

Enacting literal translations of French phrases could make a great set of sketches for French classes this summer! ;)

One ring to France returned

At Canoe Island French Camp we celebrate the bravery and generosity of knights of old during our 4th session, Les Chevaliers. Joan of Arc, a medieval French heroine, fought against the English towards the end of the Hundred Years War and is famous for her role in the battle of Orleans, which ended in a French victory and revived the French morale. She was eventually captured by the English, charged with sorcery, and burned at the stake. She was nineteen years old. The night before her execution, she gave her ring to an English cardinal. The ring has remained in England for over 600 years. Today, it was returned to France. The Puy du Fou Foudation, which purchased the ring for $425,000, will display the ring at a historical theme park in Nantes. For more details on its history, see the full BBC article.

Joan of Arc's ring

Camper, Amira El-Hafi, competes in Concours d'art oratoire

We at Canoe Island French Camp are always so amazed at the wonderful things our campers are involved with in their home communities: theater club, debate club, coaching a sport, or organizing bake sales to support local charities. And some campers are even competing in French speaking competitions!

Amira El-Hafi, Canoe Island French Camper and 8th grader at St. Michael's University School in British Columbia, recently competed at the school district level in the pan-Canadian French public speaking competition, Concours d'art oratoire. She was one of almost 200 middle school participants and was the first runner up for advancement to the provincial competition in May. Her rendition of "la rage de l'emballage" will have you think twice about purchasing inconveniently wrapped products!

What have you been up to this school year? We'd love to hear from you!

We have so many amazing campers at Canoe Island French Camp. We'd love to welcome an even greater diversity of ambitious and creative students. Help us support our campers be making a donation to our scholarship fund.

Continue the Love

We are so thankful for all the support we receive from our Canoe Island French Camp Friends and Family! Our Bistro Canoe 2016 was a huge success! Spunky zydeco music by the Folichon Trio, delicious food by our past chef Aaron Andrews who donated his time and talent, huge support from Eat-Drink Catering and Hotel Deca and original artwork auctioned. Everyone had so much fun! Check out our photos of folks dressed to the nines and dancing the night away. Most importantly, we raised $15,000 towards our goal of $25,000 to build a new Atelier-- the art workshop on Canoe Island


You can keep the good times rolling by helping us raise the last $10,000. If you weren't able to come to the gala, you can still donate right now. We can even send you a thank you gift if you would like a Canoe Island French Camp momento. Don't forget to take your donation receipt to work as your employer might be able to match your gift.

Enjoy more updates in our current Camaraderie (Canoe Island French Camp's newsletter) including our search for a new nurse, les choses à raconter, coin français and our most recent registration numbers for camp and family programs!