What happens when it rains at Camp Howl
Short answer: we play in it.
Vancouver averages 166 rainy days per year. If we cancelled camp every time it rained, we'd barely run a program. More importantly, we'd be teaching children that rain is something to avoid — when it's actually one of the best things that can happen to a day in the forest.
Why rain is good for kids
This isn't just camp philosophy. The research is clear.
A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that children who engage in outdoor play across all weather conditions develop greater physical resilience, stronger immune function, and higher confidence in their ability to manage discomfort. The Scandinavian concept of "friluftsliv" — open-air living in all seasons — is backed by decades of Nordic childhood development research showing that outdoor time regardless of weather improves children's physical health, emotional regulation, and cognitive development.
Children don't melt in rain. They discover that the world changes when it's wet. The forest smells different. The bugs come out. The creek rises. Puddles appear. The child who was bored on a sunny trail is suddenly transfixed by a raindrop sliding down a leaf.
What we actually do on rainy days
The program doesn't change much. We still hike. We still play games. We still explore. The forest is just wetter, which makes it more interesting, not less.
Here's what a rainy morning at Camp Howl might look like:
9:00 AM — Drop-off at the Rose Garden. Rain jackets on. Quick check: does everyone have rain pants? Extra socks? Great. Let's go.
9:15 AM — The forest trail to the Aquarium area. The canopy keeps most of the rain off the trail, but the ground is soft and the air smells like cedar. We stop to feel the moss on a tree — it's like a sponge when it's wet. Someone finds a banana slug. This is the moment the day becomes the best day.
10:00 AM — Lumbermen's Arch. We play capture the flag in the rain. Kids slide on the wet grass. Everyone is laughing. This is the kind of play that doesn't happen on a screen, in a gym, or on a sunny day when everything is comfortable and predictable.
10:30 AM — Snack break under the shelter at Lumbermen's Arch. Warm drinks if it's cold. We talk about what we noticed on the trail. Someone found a worm. Someone found a mushroom that wasn't there yesterday.
12:30 PM — Closing circle. The kids are wet, muddy, and beaming. Every single one of them wants to come back tomorrow.
When we DO cancel
Rain is not a cancellation. But genuine safety risks are. We cancel for:
- Lightning — The Environment Canada lightning safety guidelines are clear: no outdoor activities during lightning. We monitor radar and cancel before drop-off if storms are expected.
- Dangerous winds — Above 80 km/h, falling branches become a real hazard in Stanley Park's old-growth forest.
- Poor air quality — Wildfire smoke is an increasingly common summer reality in BC. We cancel when the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reaches 7 or above, consistent with BC Centre for Disease Control guidance for children.
- Government advisories — If any level of government advises against outdoor activity, we follow it.
When we cancel, families are notified by 7:30 AM via text. Makeup days are offered.
What your child needs on a rainy day
This is the practical part. Your child will be fine in the rain if they're dressed for it. Not "fine" as in "they'll survive." Fine as in "they won't even notice."
The essentials:
- Rain jacket (waterproof, not water-resistant — there's a difference)
- Rain pants (the kind that go over their regular pants)
- Waterproof boots (rubber boots, the taller the better)
- Warm socks (wool, not cotton — cotton holds moisture and gets cold)
- A fleece or wool mid-layer under the rain jacket
- Spare set of dry clothes in a waterproof bag inside their backpack
Where to find kids' rain gear in Vancouver:
MEC, SportChek, the Outdoor School Shop, Puddlegear, and Active Baby all carry children's rain gear. It doesn't need to be expensive. It needs to be waterproof.
The parenting shift
The hardest part of rainy-day camp isn't the logistics. It's the parenting instinct that says "it's raining, my child should be inside." That instinct is understandable. It's also worth examining.
Children are more adaptable than we give them credit for. A child who learns at age 5 that rain is something you play in — not something you hide from — is a child who develops resilience, confidence, and a relationship with the outdoors that isn't conditional on perfect weather.
There's a saying in outdoor education circles, often attributed to the Scandinavian tradition: "there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." It's a cliché because it's true.
Your kid will come home wet. They'll also come home glowing.
Camp Howl runs rain or shine, July through August in Stanley Park. Ages 5–8, 12 kids max. Register your interest →