Camp Camp, May Long 2017

Camp Camp is Vancouver's own grown up summer camp. It's your favourite local Vancouver workshops, mixed with the best summer camp to-dos wrapped into an all-inclusive long weekend getaway. 

Seven Minutes in Questions with the founders of Camp Camp, Ashley and Nader:

q1: How did Camp Camp come to be?

Ash - We've both been camp lovers all our life - from camper to counsellor. When I moved to Vancouver from Toronto 3 years ago I fell in love with this city not just for it's obvious beauty, but for it's energy. There's such cool momentum and support around entrepreneurship and a general willingness to participate in growing Vancouver and learning as individuals. So with camp, we're stepping into those two things. Plus I have n itch for throwing events both professionally and for fun - it

Nader - We had been talking about doing Camp Camp for a couple years now. Then, the tipping point was as we were coming off of the high from our destination wedding in Tulum, where we hung out with all our friends and family for a whole week, we felt inspired to keep the momentum going by organizing another gathering of people and letting the good times roll. 

 q2: Who named named it?

Ash -  We did over a bottle of wine and lots of laughs. "Camp camp" came out as a joke and then it just stuck because who doesn't love a good "camp camp camp fire" or a "camp camp camp activity"? I couldn't say it without LOL'ing so I thought that was a pretty good reaction we'd like to carry into the weekend.

Nader - When Ash first mentioned the name, it just had a ring to it, stuck out in my head. I had to say it out loud a few times trying to convince myself to not like the name. Who was I kidding, it was an awesome name and it was a keeper.

q3: You two are married, how is it doing business together?

Ash - side hustles are the best and who better to do it with than your bestie? (sorry for the sap fest) 

Nader - Any successful partnership, be it business or marriage, needs open communication. We can talk about ideas we like and don't like, and make decisions together. Also, as far as Camp Camp is concerned, we know who's the boss (spoiler alert: she is).

q4: What was your favourite childhood camp memory?

Ash - as a camper it was crawling through the mudpit during colour war at Camp Medley back in New Brunswick. I distinctly remember picking and packing a mudpit outfit that was pre-approved by my parents, fully knowing those clothes weren't going to see another day.

As a counsellor - I spent the summer in upstate NY (with none other than Jennifer Brott) as the music counsellor for an all summer long sleep away camp called Timberlake. So, it was seeing my campers conquer fears and step on stage to perform the musicals.

Nader - as a camper, my fav memory was playing Predators and Prey in the fields at North Vancouver Outdoor School. I also remember the night walks in the forest, where we would turn off our flash lights and be in the total dark listening to the sounds of the forest and trying to scare our friends. 

As a counsellor, I loved teaching archery. Robin Hood was my fav Disney cartoon (before Lion King was released) so I always had a respect for bow and arrows and now I was owning the moment and showcasing my skill to an audience of young campers as they cheered me on.

q5: How did you find the venue?

Ash - Nader.

Nader - Growing up in North Vancouver, I went to Outdoor School many times as part of our school curriculum. I had also gone back as a counsellor so I had many fond memories of this venue. The venue's name has changed from Outdoor School to Cheakamus Centre, and they've built an amazing building which serves as the learning centre and cafeteria, and this didn't exist back in the day. Everything else though is pretty much the same. 

q6: What about the weekend are you most looking forward to?

Ash - the vibes. There is no energy like the energy you get at camp - meeting new pals, trying new activities, being outside and just all around good times. Plus we have some pretty rad camp counsellors coming up to help pull it all together.

Nader - I'm looking forward to the nostalgia. Kind of a paradox I guess. Just to feel carefree like we did back in the day and focus on the moments we'll be sharing with new (and old) friends.

q7: If you had to choose one camp activity to do on repeat, what would it be?

Ash - colour war. colour war. colour war! 

Nader - Camp fire. Just watching the flames dancing and hearing the popping sounds, staying warm, telling scary stories, singing songs and sharing tons of laughs. 

Bonus question round:

What did you spend your tuck money on as a kid?

Ash - sour keys and popsicles all day long

Nader - I didn't get tuck money. I did sneak up some candy though, my camp go-tos were Nerds and Pop Rocks.

What: At Camp Camp your weekend will come complete with eats, bunks, Postmark craft beers and of course the campiest of CAMP CAMP activities including My Edible Advice's DIYs, Feelosophy Yoga, RSVP33's Beyonce Dance Class, Ally Pintucci's hike and how to snap the best iphone photos, Marlon Thompson's bootcamp, Sidebar soap DIYs, Postmark's craft beer and sommelier 101, colour war, bon fires, and so much more.

When: May 19-22 (May long weekend)

Where: Cheakamus Center in Squamish (we'll pick you up from downtown Vancouver and bus you up)

How Much: $525+ tax for an individual camper with My Edible Advice's Friend Link  https://www.campcamp.ca/register-friends-individual

all transport, food, bunk, craft beer and workshops included

To learn more about Camp Camp and to save you bunk, head over here. Countdown to the ultimate May Long is on!