Finding The Right Jam Camp Fit!

2026 Jam Camps

Jam Camp on the Island: July 12-17, 2026 @ Camp Gilwell Scouts Camp near Courtenay, BC on Vancouver Island

Jam Camp in the Mountains: July 26-31, 2026 @ Wells, BC, in the Cariboo

Jam Camp on the River: Aug. 9-14, 2026 @ Mabel Lake Community Hall on the Shuswap River, near Lumby, BC

Jam Camp Quebec: details coming soon!

Not sure how to choose which camp to go to?

Some things are the same no matter what Jam Camp you attend.

All camps welcome participants of all ages and musical abilities.
All Jam Camps are in beautiful locations with plenty for you to explore
All camps will have similar schedules focusing on: jamming, instrument instruction, song writing, musical theater, and cultural workshops

That being said, factors that might help you choose which camp(s) best fit your family will be 1) geographical location, 2) instruments you play or wish to learn, 3) safety, and 4) comfort.

Geographical Location

Whether you live in the Lower Mainland, on the Coast, in the Kootenay, Okanagan, or Thompson Valleys, Northern BC, or out of province- you will need to choose for yourself how long you want your road trip to be.

Instruments You Play or Wish to Learn

There will be acoustic instruments of all kinds at all camps, but if you wish to play or learn an electric instrument that requires being plugged into a power source, you will need to choose Jam Camp on the River or Jam Camp in the Mountains, as Jam Camp on the Island will not have access to plug-ins.

Safety

At all Jam Camps, parents need to be 100% responsible for their children's safety at all times. At Jam Camp on the Island and Jam Camp on the River, both sites are great for campers of all ages, the only difference is the rivers they are on. We tend to spend a lot of our time- both instructional time AND free time near these rivers, so it's good to know what you're getting yourself into.

Water Safety

Jam Camp on the River: The Shuswap River is large and swift. The majority of the riverfront at the camp has a strong current and slippery rocks. This makes for a ton of fun for older campers and experienced swimmers. Many afternoons are spent floating down the river and jumping off big rocks. There is one section of the river which is gentle and safer for younger children. It is a short 5 min walk from the center of camp. However, it is ESSENTIAL that young children are never left alone near the river. Parents MUST supervise their children AT ALL TIMES at Jam Camp on the River.

Jam Camp on the Island: The Browns River is gentle and meandering. In August the water level is often quite low, however there is still a nice swimming hole close to the campsites for taking dips and enjoying yourself in the refreshing water. Children still must be supervised around the water by their parents at all times, but there is less of a safety risk at the Browns River then there is at the Shuswap River.

Jam Camp in the Mountains: You can wade or swim in the Willow River at the edge of Wells. Please note that there is no lifeguard on duty and parents/guardians MUST supervise children at all times.

Comfort

This note is especially for those considering Jam Camp on the Island and Jam Camp on the River. Jam Camp is full of fun and excitement, and sometimes, Jam Campers have a hard time putting their instruments down for the night in group camping situations. The littlest Jam Campers will insist that they don't need to go to sleep at all, and this can sometimes be challenging for parents when the older Jam Campers are still rocking out around the campfire. In the past we have often implemented "quiet time" so that everyone is able to get the rest they need. You can also choose to set up your personal campsite further away from other families or common areas so that you are not disturbed by noise at night. Above all, Jam Campers are encouraged to be respectful to their neighbors so that everyone can get the rest they need and everyone can be happy campers!

For the past few years, the largest population at Jam Camp on the River (besides parents) have been the 16-26 year old crew. They are a lively and incredibly creative group, and we are so blessed to have them as part of the Jam Camp family. Families with younger children have often commented on how much they value having their younger children surrounded by such positive, older role models. The 16-26 year old crew in turn have developed a strong bond with both the younger children and their parents alike, and this has resulted in one big, happy family full of diversity.

At Jam Camp on the River there is no "quiet time". River Jam Campers govern their evening noise levels on their own while respecting their neighbors. This means that closer to the Hall and Campfire there will likely be music and singing into the late hours of the night. The feedback that we have gotten from many alumni families with younger children is: that doesn't matter to us!

If having a “quiet time” does matter to you, it might be wise to choose Jam Camp on the Island, where music making will be all acoustic, and a quiet time of 10pm - 8am will likely exist, potentially with a campfire set far away from tent sites for late night acoustic playing and quiet singing.

Jam Camp in the Mountains is a NEW option for 2026! Formerly Jam Camp North, our new location in Wells is a great choice for those in Central BC or the North, or those who want to stay in lodging (tent and RV options are available too.)

Regardless of your choice, we will try to make Jam Camp as comfortable for you and your family as possible.

No matter which camp you end up at, Jam Camp is dedicated to being inclusive to Jammers of any age, ability, race, religion, socioeconomic status, place of origin, or gender. It's all about the LOVE, people!!