Development Camps
For beginner to recreational players. Coaches create a fun environment to
apply technical drills as well as host games and scrimmages. Duration: Full
morning or afternoon.
Prospects Camps
For motivated to high-performance players. Coaches will create high-tempo,
energetic and technically focused sessions. Duration: Full morning or
afternoon.
Overnight Camps
For motivated to high-performance players. Coaches will provide players
daily training and evening match play. Classroom workshops and pre and post
analysis will also be included.
What do participants receive?
A Whitecaps FC Camps t-shirt, poster and Skills Challenge tracker. At
select camps, participants will meet club mascot Spike.
What is Sports Engine?
SportsEngine is the home of Whitecaps FC Youth programming directory and
registration channel.
How do I make an account on SportsEngine?
In order to register for Whitecaps FC Youth programming, you must create an
account. For detailed instructions, please click here
Do you take walk up registrations?
Yes, if it is the first day of camp, and it is not listed as “Full
Capacity” on the website. Payment options are debit / credit card or a
cheque made out to Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Can players register for camp a few days late?
After the first day of camp, registration requests will not be accepted. We
appreciate your understanding.
What group will my child be placed in?
Camp participants will be broken into appropriate age groups first then
skill level. If a player exceeds a skill level, coaching staff may move the
player. During the registration process, parents and guardians can request
player groups. Please note we cannot guarantee that all requests will be
fulfilled.
Is there any funding or grants available?
For program funding, we accept multiple grants including but not limited to
Canadian Tire Jumpstart, KidSport and local non-for-profit organizations
that provides financial assistance for youth.
What happens if there is an error in my camp registration?
Please email camps@whitecapsfc.com
What do I need to wear at Camp?
Players need to wear soccer specific-athletic attire for the camp,
including:
Soccer socks
Soccer cleats
Shin pads
Each player will receive a t-shirt at camp.
Some camps will be held outdoors, rain or shine, so come prepared with
appropriate clothing. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
What should I bring to Development & Prospects Camp?
Players are encouraged to bring a water bottle and snack. Due to allergies
of other players, ensure all snacks are peanut-free.
What should I bring to an Overnight Camp?
A full camp itinerary, including a schedule, item list and check-in
location will be emailed to parents one week prior to the start of camp.
My child has a medical condition, who should I inform?
During the registration process, please note all medical conditions,
including allergies and dietary restrictions. If your child is required to
bring any type of medical supplies or medication, please let staff know
during the first day of camp.
Do you offer pre or post camp supervision?
We do not offer any supervision before or after camp. We ask players to
arrive at the check-in tent 15 – 20 minutes early to be prepared for the
day. Pick up will be promptly scheduled at the end of camp.
Can my child walk or take the bus home after camp?
For safety reasons, we ask for all camp participants to be picked up by a
parent or guardian after camp. If a parent or guardian provides a signed
note giving permission, our staff will allow the player to leave on their
own. By providing a signed note, you acknowledge that Whitecaps FC are not
liable in this situation.
What happens in the case of thunder, lightning or rain?
In the case of thunder and/or lightning, campers will be taken to a safe
and secure area. If weather conditions persist, we will call parents and
guardians to ask you pick your child up from camps. We will use contact
numbers that are provided during the registration process. We ask all
campers to bring appropriate clothing for cold or rainy conditions,
including multiple layers such as jackets, long sleeves and athletic pants.
What are your air quality policies for camps?
Whitecaps FC is committed to ensuring a safe environment for your children
above all else. In the event of an air quality advisory, Whitecaps FC uses
the Government of Canada’s Observed Air Quality Index and Air Quality Guidelines as its two primary resources for making informed decisions around any changes, rescheduling or reduction of its camp programs. As conditions
change, the club and its staff will always make decisions in the best
interest of the players, parents and staff, and whenever possible, commit
to running the camp as scheduled.
Air Quality Rating: 7-10+ (High)
- Sessions may be rescheduled to a future date, or when possible, moved
indoors. Additional time may be added to any remaining days of the camp
to make up any missed sessions. - If a camp day has already begun, the camp will continue as scheduled
but the program will move to low-impact activities with high-exertion
or strenuous activities reduced to a safe level. - Players will be given longer rest and water breaks throughout the
session, and those with pre-existing health conditions (as indicated
under the section “Comments/Medical concerns” on their registration
form) will be monitored closely. - Players may choose not to participate in camp activities or withdraw
voluntarily.
Air Quality Rating: 4-6 (Moderate to Low)
- Camps will run normally.
- Players with pre-existing health conditions or those with health
concerns will be given additional rest or water breaks as required. - Activities may be adjusted for younger players & those with
pre-existing health conditions.
Notification Procedures
Before a camp day:
- Check your email. In the event of a change due to air quality, the
email address on file will be emailed at least 1-hour prior to the
start of a camp day with any changes. - If a session needs to be rescheduled, participants will be notified by
email of the new date and/or time as soon as it has been finalized.
Every effort will be made to keep the rescheduled session within the
existing camp week.
During a camp day:
- Should the air quality deteriorate after a camp day has begun, camps
will run as scheduled with reduced activities. Parents will be notified
by email if activities are changed.
Refunds:
- Every effort will be made to first reschedule any sessions that are
affected by an air quality advisory. - Sessions that have been successfully rescheduled, or fulfilled by
adding additional time to a camp, will be non-refundable. - Parents with concerns may withdraw their children at any point,
however, any programming missed as a result of voluntarily withdrawal
is non-refundable. - Refunds/Credits will be issued on a per-session basis only under
circumstances where Whitecaps FC has formally cancelled sessions and
those sessions cannot be reasonably rescheduled.
How do I report a breach of Safe Sport?
Overview
At Whitecaps FC, providing a safe and supportive environment for athletes
to practice, learn, compete, and achieve their best is one of our primary
objectives. We are committed to creating and maintaining an equitable, and
non-discriminatory environment in which all individuals are treated with
respect and dignity.
Safe Sport Reporting
See something. Say something. We encourage all players, parents/guardians
and staff to speak up if they witness a violation of the Club’s SafeSport
principles, if there is an issue or if something just doesn’t seem right.
Call 911: If there is an immediate threat or danger to you or others or you
are aware of any behaviour which may require the attention of police and/or
emergency services please call 911 right away.
Confidential Hotline
If there is not an immediate threat or danger or something requiring the
attention of emergency services please file a report on behalf of yourself,
your child or another program participant using our designated third-party
Confidential Reporting Hotline. This service is administered by
IntegrityCounts, powered by WhistleBlower Security, an independent
third-party firm designated to provide confidential communication services.
NOTE: This is a reporting hotline and not a crisis line. Please see
additional resources section below for crisis services.
Access to this service is through the following channels and reports may be
made on a completely anonymous basis. Your identify will only be shared
with the Club if you consent to provide this information to the Club
through IntegrityCounts:
Phone: 1-866-921-6714
(you will be asked what organization you are calling about. Please say
Vancouver Whitecaps FC.)
WhitecapsFC@integritycounts.ca
Ethics Reporting Web Portal
All reports related to a violation of the Club’s Safe Sport policies and
practices which are made through this service will be sent in confidence to
the Whitecaps Safe Sport committee which currently consists of the Chief
Operating Officer, Head of Human Resources and Vice President, Soccer
Development.
Additional Resources
Canadian Sport Helpline
Open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., 7 days a week, this national toll-free confidential
helpline for harassment, abuse and discrimination provides a safe place for
victims and witnesses to report their concerns.
Call 1-888-83-SPORT (77678) or email info@abuse-free-sport.ca
The Canadian Sport Helpline will provide callers with advice on the next
steps they can take, as well as direct them to the most appropriate
national and local services and resources available to them, including the
police, child protection services, existing provincial/territorial
helplines, or any other relevant services.
For more information visit www.abuse-free-sport.ca
As a resource you can provide your athletes and participants Kids Help
Phone operates Canada’s only 24/7, professional counselling, referral and
information service for young people. Young people reach out to Kids Help
Phone from every corner of the country via phone, Live Chat, text, and
through Kids Help Phone’s online resources.
By texting CONNECT to 686868, young athletes can chat confidentially with a
trained, volunteer Crisis Responder for support with any issue — big or
small. You can also reach a Kids Help Phone counsellor 24/7 at
1-800-668-6868.
What is your Code of Conduct?
Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct establishes principles for team officials, players,
parents, guardians and spectators to ensure soccer is a fun, safe, and
positive experience for all. It is a condition that all participants read
and agree to abide by the Code of Conduct at all times. Failure to comply
with them will result in action from Whitecaps FC.
- Respect everyone and everything.
- Leave things better off then you found them.
- Do the best you can.
Players
As a Player I will:
1. Do my best.
2. Respect and play by the rules of the game.
3. Be prepared to the best of my ability for training and matches equally.
4. Promise to be a team player and encourage my fellow teammates to do the
same.
5. Ensure that I arrive on time to all training sessions and games.
6. Wear the assigned club attire for all training and matches with pride.
7. Listen to and follow instructions and decisions of coaching staff.
8. Always hold respect for opponents, coaches, referees and teammates.
9. Immediately report any injury to coaching staff.
10. Not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or negative communication with
players, coaching staff or families of the opposing team.
11. Never use profanity, display temper tantrums, violent behaviour, or
engage in harassment or bullying of any kind.
12. Not engage in negative comments towards players or teams through any
social media platforms.
13. Not engage in any reprisal or retaliation after any concerns or
complaints have been raised against me or any member of the team or camp.
14. Ensure that all communication on personal social media between coaches
and players should be limited to non-personal topics
Parents, Guardians and Spectators
As a parent/guardian/spectator I will:
15. Set a positive example for my kids by maintaining a positive attitude
and promoting fair play at all times.
16. Help my kids understand their role and the importance of their
contribution to the team by highlighting their progress instead of focusing
on results.
17. Ensure punctual arrival and always inform my coach if I will be late or
absent.
18. Inform the coach of any injury or health problem.
19. Not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or negative communication with
players, coaching staff or families of the opposing team.
20. Not publicly question the coaches or manager’s judgment or question
their integrity.
21. Never criticize game officials and always respect the decisions they
make.
22. Not discriminate, harass, or bully any team official, player, or
spectator.
23. Not engage in offensive or abusive language or behaviour, or physical
threats.
24. Communicate privately with the coach if you have questions, concerns,
or suggestions.
25. Remain outside the field of play and within the Designated Spectator
Area (where provided)
26. Refrain from yelling or coaching from the sidelines during training
sessions or games.
27. Not to engage in any reprisal or retaliation after concerns or
complaints have been raised against myself or any member of the team or
camp.
Coaches
As a coach I will:
28. Adhere to and promote the Code of Conduct to players, parents and
spectators alike.
29. Consistently display the highest standards of behaviour and be a
positive role model.
30. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person
regardless of gender, place of origin, colour, sexual orientation,
religion, political belief or economic status.
31. Teach players and parents to act fairly and respect the rules, referees
and opponents
32. Encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behaviour
and performance
33. Show zero tolerance for offensive language, behaviour or any form of
bullying.
34. Never engage in public criticism of anyone in any situation on or off
the field.
35. Communicate openly to ensure all expectations and feedback are
understood.
36. Make sure that equipment/facilities are safe and in good standing.
37. Inform parents of any injuries their child might have suffered without
delay.
38. Co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials,
sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interests of the
player.
39. Place well-being and safety above all other considerations, including
performance and results.
40. Abstain from the use of any alcohol, tobacco or drugs while in the
presence of athletes
41. Never exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.
42. Ensure activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and
ability of players.
43. Ensure players, staff, spectators respect the field boundaries for
training and match play.
44. Ensure that all coaches adhere to the Rule of Two (at least two adults
present) when interacting with minors on and off the field.
45. Ensure that all communication on personal social media between coaches
and players should be limited to non-personal topics.
46. Ensure that any reprisal or retaliation after concerns or complaints
have been raised against myself or any member of the team or camp not be
tolerated.
What are your cancellation and refund policies for Development and
Prospects Camps?
Refund requests:
- Received more than 14 days before the start of a camp will be subject
to a 15% administration fee on the registration amount paid. - Received less than 14 days but more than 2 days before the start of a
camp, will be subject to a 25% administration fee on the registration
amount paid. - Received less than 2 days before the start of a camp will not be
granted.
Further details:
- Registration refunds for medical reasons can only be processed upon
receipt of a note from a medical professional. These refunds will be
subject to a 15% administration fee, plus a fee for any sessions
transpired. - Approved refunds can take up to 6 weeks to process.
- No partial refunds will be issued for individual sessions missed by the
participant. - Whitecaps FC reserves the right to move players to the appropriate
training group. - In the event that a session is cancelled due to weather, we will do our
best to reschedule.
What are your cancellation and refund policies for Overnight Camps?
Refund requests:
- Received more than 30 days before the start of a camp will be subject
to a 50% administrative fee on the first payment. - Received less than 30 days but more than 14 days before the start of a
camp will be subject to an administration fee equal to the first
payment. - Received less than 14 days before the start of a camp will not be
granted.
Further details:
- Registration refunds for medical reasons can only be processed upon
receipt of a note from a medical professional. These refunds will be
subject to an administration fee, plus a fee for any sessions
transpired. - Approved refunds can take up to 6 weeks to process.
- No partial refunds will be issued for individual sessions missed by the
participant. - Whitecaps FC reserves the right to move players to the appropriate
training group. - In the event that a session is cancelled due to weather, we will do our
best to reschedule.
Who should I contact regarding a camp cancellation?
Please email camps@whitecapsfc.com