Summer Independence Camps

Camp Bowen is a summer camp for blind, low vision, and Deafblind individuals. It is located on beautiful Bowen Island, a quick twenty minute ferry ride off the coast of British Columbia. Established in 1963, the camp is now operated by the Camp Bowen Division of the Canadian Organization of the Blind and Deafblind, in partnership with the Canadian Council of the Blind’s Bowen island Chapter. Our team works tirelessly to ensure Camp Bowen continues for generations to come.

Children and Teens

Linda Evans Memorial Music Camp
Alex Jurgensen and Matthew Alvernaz stand, facing the camera. Matthew is holding his Saxophone with Alex in the background.
From left to right: Alex Jurgensen (16) and Matthew Alvernaz (13), two friends who met at Camp Bowen. Photo by Stuart Davis for the Vancouver Sun
Ages
8-18
Next Session
July 12-19, 2024

Learn more about the
Linda Evans Memorial
Music Camp

Community Exploration Camp
The picture shows the hands of a young person reading a Braille book. The ends of white sleeves are visible as the hands, which have medium-dark skin, rest on the book which is placed on a black table.
Ages
8-12
Next Session
August 2-8, 2024

Learn more about the
Community Exploration Camp

Foundations of Independence Camp (Teen Edition)
Kadija, who has dark curly hair and beautiful dark skin smiles at the camera while holding a package of butter. She is wearing a military green shirt with a white apron. Kadija is standing in front of a stainless steel kitchen counter, where a white and red bowl and a red stand mixer are visible in the background.
Photo by Araceli Jurgensen for Camp Bowen
Ages
13-19
Next Session
August 9-15, 2024

Learn more about the
Foundations of Independence Camp
(Teen Edition)

Adults

Adult Retreat
All campers from the 2016 adult retreat on the patio of the Bowen Island Lodge with Deep Bay in the background.
All Campers from the 2016 adult retreat. Photo credit: Lorraine Ashdown.
Ages
19+
Next Session
August 26-31, 2024

Learn more about the
Adult Retreat

Music Lovers Camp
Sky and Alex, two young blind men, sharing a piano bench at a grand piano with its lid open. Sky is to the left. He is slightly bald, wearing learning shades and holding a travel mug. To his right, Alex is looking down while playing during a concert. Both have light skin and dark brown hair, and they are both wearing dark blue shirts. In the background, the sun bathes the trees of a nearby mountain on a sunny day.
Photo by Camp Bowen
Ages
19-29
Next Session
July 12-19, 2024

Learn more about the
Music Lovers Camp