Camping 2026: Memories Made in the Mountains
Camping Week is almost always the highlight of the Wynchemna summer, and this year's adventure did not disappoint! Our students spent seven unforgettable days exploring the incredible Rocky Mountains, trying new activities, making memories with friends, and experiencing some of the very best that Alberta has to offer.
Day 1 – Welcome to the Mountains!
On Monday, July 20, the adventure officially began as we travelled to Pocaterra Group Campground in beautiful Kananaskis Country. Our Junior campers got an early start, leaving camp first to hike the scenic Troll Falls Trail. While they explored the forest and admired the stunning waterfall, our Senior students were picked up and made their way into the mountains to join them.
After both groups completed the hike and soaked in the breathtaking mountain scenery, everyone arrived at the campground ready for what many consider to be the best week of Wynchemna! The hardworking Juniors jumped in to help unload the truck while the Super Seniors quickly got the campsite organized by setting up tents. Once camp was ready, students enjoyed a delicious homemade chicken souvlaki dinner before gathering around a warm campfire. The evening was filled with songs, laughter, and great conversations before everyone headed to bed for an early start the next morning.
Day 2 – Horses, Olympics, and Mountain Adventures
Tuesday brought another action-packed day as students split into two groups for horseback riding and our annual Olympic Games. The horseback riding group started bright and early with croissants and fresh fruit before boarding the bus for Lake Louise, where they met their new four-legged companions. After enjoying hot dogs for lunch, students spent two unforgettable hours riding through the stunning mountain trails surrounding Lake Louise. Everyone took time to admire the famous turquoise lake and finished the afternoon with a shopping trip through Banff. Back at camp, the Olympic group wasted no time jumping into an intense game of Capture the Flag. Students raced through the forest searching for hidden flags while working together to outsmart the opposing team. After refuelling with bacon burgers for lunch, the Olympic Games officially began. Teams competed in a variety of exciting events including slacklining, badminton, volleyball, CanJam, axe throwing, and log toss. Throughout the afternoon, students encouraged one another, showed fantastic teamwork, and gave every event their best effort. For dinner, the horseback riding group enjoyed a pizza picnic in Canmore while campers back at the campsite gathered for a hearty spaghetti Bolognese dinner before another relaxing evening around camp.
Day 3 – Glaciers, Games, and a Surprise Water Fight
Wednesday saw the two groups switch adventures.
The students who had competed in the Olympics headed north to the Columbia Icefields, while the horseback riders returned to camp for their own Olympic competition. The Columbia Icefields group experienced one of the most unique adventures of the week. Equipped with ice spikes and ice picks, students hiked across the glacier, drank fresh glacier water, and enjoyed spectacular views of one of Canada's most impressive natural landscapes. After a hot dog lunch, the group travelled through the Icefields Parkway, taking in countless mountain views before stopping in Banff for shopping and finishing the day with a pizza picnic in Canmore.
Meanwhile, excitement remained high back at camp. Another competitive game of Capture the Flag had students sprinting through the forest until one team claimed victory. Following another round of delicious bacon burgers, students competed in the Olympic Games, testing their skills, teamwork, and determination in each event. With temperatures climbing throughout the afternoon, the teachers had one final surprise waiting. Armed with water guns, they launched a surprise water fight that quickly turned into one of the funniest moments of the entire week. Students and teachers alike were soaked from head to toe, laughing and chasing one another around camp. After enjoying spaghetti Bolognese for dinner and finishing camp chores, everyone gathered around the fire to make s'mores while waiting for the Icefields group to return and share stories from their incredible day.
Day 4 – Lake Day!
Thursday brought one of everyone's favourite traditions: Lake Day!
The morning began with delicious breakfast sandwiches prepared by the teachers, with a few students lending a helping hand in the kitchen. After breakfast, everyone gathered for an energetic game of volleyball, getting warmed up before loading onto the bus for another unforgettable day in the mountains. Once we arrived at beautiful Lower Kananaskis Lake, students spent the day paddleboarding, boating, swimming, and soaking in the spectacular scenery. Although the water was refreshingly cold, that didn't stop our adventurous campers from jumping right in and making a splash! Whether balancing on paddleboards, exploring the shoreline by boat, or swimming with friends, everyone embraced the adventure with huge smiles and plenty of laughter.
For lunch at the lakw, the teachers prepared sausages on a bun alongside an incredible charcuterie board packed with fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses, meats, crackers, and snacks—a well-earned feast after a busy morning on the water. We all went back in the water to cool off, but the fun wasn't over yet. Students challenged the teachers to an exciting volleyball match, with both teams diving for every ball and cheering each other on. It was the perfect way to wrap up another action-packed day together.
Dinner featured a delicious coconut chicken stir-fry served over rice, prepared by our talented kitchen team with a special shoutout to Macoto for helping create another fantastic meal! As the sun set behind the mountains, everyone gathered around the campfire to relax, share stories, sing songs, and enjoy another memorable evening together beneath the Alberta sky.
Day 5 – Mountain Hikes and Volleyball Rivalries
Friday began with the perfect hiking breakfast: French toast! It may have been the best French toast we have ever had, thanks to the students who helped prepare it. With everyone well fed and ready for adventure, the Senior students left first for a challenging hike through Burstall Pass. While waiting to depart, some of the teachers collected wildflowers for the students before the Junior group boarded the bus for their hike to Chester Lake. Both groups tackled long trails, but the incredible mountain views, fresh air, and smiles along the way made every step worthwhile. Even Roland managed to make a new friend during the adventure!
Students enjoyed sandwiches along the trail, and everyone agreed that nothing tastes better than a sandwich after hiking through the mountains. After returning to camp, the students helped the teachers prepare a delicious taco dinner. Once everyone had eaten, it was time to settle some unfinished business on the volleyball court. Heading into the evening, the students held a 1–0 lead in the Wynchemna Teachers vs. Students volleyball series, and the teachers were determined to even the score. What followed was an exciting, hard-fought match filled with spectacular rallies, impressive saves, and plenty of friendly competition. After battling point for point, the teachers came away with the victory, tying the series 1–1 and setting up a winner-take-all championship match on the final day of camp. The stage was officially set for an unforgettable finale! The evening ended with s’mores around the campfire before everyone climbed into their tents for another peaceful night sleeping beneath the stars.
Day 6 – Canmore Adventures and One Last Night Together
The final full day of Camping Week was all about relaxing, exploring, and soaking up every last moment together in the Rockies.
After breakfast, the students headed into Canmore for a day of swimming, shopping, and enjoying one of Alberta's most beautiful mountain towns. The morning was spent cooling off at the lake, where students swam, played by the water, and enjoyed the sunshine with friends.
For lunch, everyone gathered by the lakeshore to enjoy ramen noodles before refuelling for an afternoon exploring downtown Canmore. Students browsed local shops, picked up souvenirs, treated themselves to snacks, and enjoyed spending time together before making the trip back to camp.Back at Pocaterra, there was one more important event to settle—the latest chapter in the legendary Teachers vs. Students Volleyball Series. After trailing the series 0–1, the teachers were determined to fight back. Standing in their way was the students' secret weapon: their towering 6'7" Spanish superstar and his talented teammates. Despite the height advantage, the teachers battled through long rallies, diving saves, and plenty of laughter to earn a thrilling victory, giving the teachers the series win in the inaugural TVL Championships. Following the match, everyone pitched in one last time to help prepare dinner before sitting down together for a comforting pasta supper. As the sun began to set over the mountains, students reflected on an unforgettable week filled with new friendships, incredible adventures, and memories that will last a lifetime.
The evening was spent enjoying one final campfire together—sharing stories, laughing about the week's adventures, singing songs, and appreciating one last night beneath the stars before returning home the next day. Camping Week may have been coming to an end, but the friendships, confidence, and experiences made throughout the week will stay with our campers long after the tents came down
Day 7 – Until Next Time
Before the sun was fully up, campers were already awake for one final morning in the mountains. Before enjoying a simple breakfast of cereal and fresh fruit, everyone worked together to pack up camp. Tents came down, sleeping bags were rolled up, and the truck was carefully loaded with all the gear from another successful Camping Week.
Once everything was ready, the first busload of students began the journey back to Calgary. The second group stayed behind a little longer to help with the final campsite cleanup, making sure we left Pocaterra just as beautiful as we found it.
With camp packed away and chores complete, there was still time to enjoy a few final moments together. Students gathered for one last game of volleyball, relaxed with friends, and took in the peaceful beauty of Kananaskis Country before boarding the final bus home.
As we drove away from the mountains, everyone carried home far more than just their camping gear. Throughout the week, students challenged themselves on mountain hikes, paddled across glacier-fed lakes, rode horses through the Rockies, competed in Olympic Games, sang around campfires, and built friendships that crossed cultures and continents. Camping Week is always a highlight of the Wynchemna summer, and this year was no exception. Thank you to all of our incredible students and staff for making it such a memorable adventure—we're already looking forward to the next one!
