Canoe Island French Camp

Canoe Island French Camp (CIFC) is a children's overnight camp located on Canoe Island in the San Juan Islands in Washington state.

Le Colombier

The camp was founded in 1969 by Dr. Warren Austin and his wife, as they had a deep interest in the French culture and child development. They wanted to send their daughter to a French camp, but there were none on the West Coast, so they started CIFC on Orcas Island. The camp moved to Canoe Island in 1975. Currently CIFC is the sole French summer camp in North America west of the Mississippi River.[1]

Most of the campers come from the western Washington area, while others are from western Oregon and California. Some arrive from foreign countries, including France, Canada, China, Poland and Argentina.[2]

The goal of the camp is to encourage curiosity; by engaging kids in a new culture, they are exposed to different lifestyles, studying everything from French cuisine to the French Revolution. Campers use the French language throughout the day and attend classes in the morning to learn vocabulary and grammar. Campers also participate in other activities, such as art, theatre, photography and archery.[3][4]

Camp Orkila, Camp Nor'Wester, and Camp Four Winds Westward Ho join CIFC as overnight camps for children in the San Juan Islands. CIFC is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA).[5]

References
  1. Pickett, Beth (June 26, 2009). "Canoe Island French Camp with Justine Robinett". Countdown to College. WSRADIO.
  2. Reichle, Heather (November 2009). "A La Carte Camping". Camp Business. Northstar Publishing.
  3. Margolies, Jane (May 2009). "Summer Camp for All (That Means Parents, Too!)". Budget Travel.
  4. Stuteville, Sarah (May 15, 2014). "Summer camps grow up, give kids a world view". Seattle Times.
  5. Peterson's (2008). Summer Programs for Kids & Teenagers 2009. Peterson's. p. 223.


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