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Getting To and From Thetis Island Camp Columbia is located on Thetis Island, one of the Canadian Gulf Islands off Vancouver Island. Ferry service to Thetis Island is provided by BC Ferries, from the village of Chemanus. Fares and Schedules are updated seasonally, so check out the latest information at www.bcferries.com/schedules/southern/chti-current.html. If you are travelling from the Mainland, the closest ferry terminal is Departure Bay in Nanaimo. Chemainus is approximately 30-40 minutes south of Nanaimo off the Island Highway. Once you are on the island, Camp Columbia is approximately 10 minutes away on the North Cove Road. Simply follow the signs. There are no regular services on Thetis Island. If you need food, money, gas, or other services, pick them up in Chemainus before you come to the island. Camp Columbia 
Camp Columbia is located on the water, with a small shell beach and a sloping sandstone shoreline. The main building offers a cafeteria, a large common room, a smaller meeting room, and shared accommodation. There are also a series of outlying bunk houses offering additional shared sleeping space. Photo's and additional information are available on the camp's website www.campcolumbia.com. View Larger Map Meals Meals are served cafeteria style. The kitchen provides a hearty, basic menu and can accommodate reasonable requests for vegetarian meals. If you have a special/restricted diet, please let us know as soon as possible, so we can make the necessary arrangements. Feel free to bring alcohol, but remember, we have a busy schedule. Accommodation The camp can accommodate up to 70 people in comfort. This means we will have an intimate, and highly interactive conference. All accommodation and washroom facilities are shared, with 2-3 people per bunk room, and 4-6 per bunk house. Services Internet There is no internet access at the camp. Telephone There is land line telephone service. Also, there is limited cell coverage at the camp. Audio/Visual The Conference will provide a digital projector and screen, a dry erase board and markers, and flip charts and markers for presentations. If you require any special AV equipment or presentation resources let us know as soon as possible so we can make the necessary arrangements. Weather and Sea State May is an in between month on the we(s)t coast. Average day time temperatures are around 12C. Water temperatures range from 9C to 12C. Winds are light to moderate, with stronger, convective winds in the afternoon. Historical and current conditions are available online at www.weatheroffice.gc.ca. The camp is located on the west side of Thetis Island along Stuart Channel, which has a normal maximum current of .5 knots. General Information Tide and Current Tables Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) Tide and Current Tables Volume 5. The primary reference port is Fulford Harbour; secondary stations are available for Chemainus, across Stuart Channel and Preedy Harbour, on Thetis Island. Charts Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) Chart #3443 covers Stuart Channel, Thetis Island, Chemainus, and Ladysmith. Local History Sea Kayak the Gulf Islands by Mary Anne Snowden, and published by Rocky Mountain Books provides a good overview of local paddling. Additional paddling information is available on-line at www.bckayaker.com. |