We are excited to welcome you for Joy-filled time away at an Intercultural Christian retreat that delights in families of all makes, shapes, and sizes! 

Family Retreat 2025
October 10-13 2025
On Site at Camp Fircom
Gambier Island, Chá7elkwnech
​
On the unceded traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) Coast Salish peoples. 

Registration Is Open! 

Registration is: $250 per Adult, $150 per Child or Youth (3-17), $75 per Child under 3

Accommodation, Meals & Snacks, Water Taxi to Gambier Island and all Programming Supplies are Included.

Bursaries from generous donations and grants are available!
25% and 50% discount rates are options in the online registration. 75% and 100% discount rates are available by email request: [email protected]

This event supports racialized, indigenous, and equity denied families across the many diasporic communities of faith within The United Church of Canada. It will incorporate anti-racism, cultural sharing and have a relational focus. The planning team for this event has a clear vision to plan with, rather than planning for the families involved, and we are grateful for the diverse voices and leaders who are part of the planning process.

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How to register?

STEP 1 - Main family contact 

Register a 'Main Family Contact' - this person will be registering themself, and letting us know some information about your family.
Know before registering:

• Is your family willing or interested in sharing a sleeping space with another family?
  • If yes, did you have a particular family in mind? (If not, we can pair you with another group!)
• How many people are in your family group in total?
• Will your family need support regarding travel to and from Camp Fircom?
• Some of the spaces at Camp Fircom are rustic cabins, with electricity and lights, but a little walk is required to get to the showers. Is your family comfortable with rustic accommodation, or not?

Can't decide who your Main Family Contact should be? We suggest you pick the adult in your family group who's the best at checking their email!

STEP 2 - register the rest of the family

We have three different form options: one for any additional adults (those who are not​ the main family contact), one for children 4-17, and one for children 3 & under. 

step 3 - that's all!

Feel free to contact us with any questions! We'll be in contact in advance of the event with travel details (if needed), and pre-event emails, including a packing list.

The Family Retreat Flow

This is a DRAFT schedule. It is subject to change! 
​Use it to get the idea of how First Third's Family Retreats flow, based on previous retreat schedules.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10

• Meet at Horseshoe Bay for a Water Taxi 
• Dinner: 6:30pm
• Community Gathering & Vespers (evening worship time): 7pm
• Evening Snack & Quiet Activities such as Board Games: 8:15pm
• Quiet Hours: 9:30pm (to 7am tomorrow)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11

• Coffee & Tea in the Dining Hall & Optional Morning Swim: 7am
• Breakfast Bar Is Open: 7:45-8:30am
  Families come as they are ready, within this 45 minute window. 
• Community Gathering/Worship Time: 9:30am
• Morning Snack: 10:45am
• Workshops/Games: 11:15 am
• Lunch: 12:30pm
• Rotation 1 ~ Afternoon Activity Options: 1:30pm
• Afternoon Snack: 3pm
• Rotation 2 ~ Afternoon Activity Options: 4pm
• Camp-Wide Game: 5pm
• Dinner: 6pm 
• Campfire Circle & Vespers: 7pm
  Families choose their evening engagement based on their personal bedtime routine and needs.
• Evening Snack: 7:45pm 
• Late-Night Options such as Chatting, Crafting, Board Games: 8:30pm
• Quiet Hours: 9:30pm (to 7am tomorrow)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12

• Coffee & Tea in the Dining Hall & Optional Morning Swim: 7am
• Breakfast Bar Is Open: 7:45-8:30am
  Families come as they are ready, within this 45 minute window. 
• Community Gathering/Worship Time: 9:30am
• Morning Snack: 10:45am
• Workshops/Games: 11:15 am
• Lunch: 12:30pm
• Rotation 1 ~ Afternoon Activity Options: 1:30pm
• Afternoon Snack: 3pm
• Rotation 2 ~ Afternoon Activity Options: 4pm
• Camp-Wide Game: 5pm
• Dinner: 6pm 
• Evening Worship: 7pm
• Evening Snack: 7:45pm 
• Late-Night Options such as Chatting, Crafting, Board Games: 8:30pm
• Quiet Hours: 9:30pm (to 7am tomorrow)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13

• Coffee & Tea in the Dining Hall: 7am
• Breakfast Bar Is Open: 7:45-8:30am
  Families come as they are ready, within this 45 minute window. 
• Personal Packing & Accommodation Clean Up: 9am
• Gathering & Fairwells: 10:30am
• Families depart