The brainchild of maverick entrepreneur George Harris, GIFTS is the only rural summer camp in Canada dedicated to training youth (old and young) in film and video production. Since its inception, over 3000 teens and adults have experienced GIFTS’ innovative 6-day media production intensives. Together they have created a total of over 900 videos - including dramas, documentaries computer animations - from the initial script right through to the final screening!

Not your average school, GIFTS practices learning by doing, and boasts a faculty not of teachers but of award-winning media professionals: Nettie Wild, Aerlyn Weissman, Heather Frise, Velcrow Ripper, Gail Noonan, Richard Reeves, Marcus Youssef, George Johnson, Jill Sharpe, and Carmen Aguirre, among others.

GIFTS’ meteor-like ascendancy is partially due to its unique blend of rustic and high tech: students get access to state of the art media production technology while enjoying the peace, quiet and beauty of a lush island locale.

The work produced in this ideal environment has captured the attention and support of: The BC Ministry of Education, ICBC, The National Film Board, IBM, The Directors Guild of Canada, BC Film, BC Hydro, The Creative Peace Network and The Union of BC Performers. TV Networks are also keeping an eye on what’s gong on at GIFTS and are regularly airing student productions. The calibre of the films is also reflected in the over 125 awards that GIFTS productions have landed at national and international Film and Video Festivals in the years.

The doors of opportunity that GIFTS is opening for youth don’t stop here. On the strength of the work produced at GIFTS, numerous grads have gotten into film programs at universities across the country, landed jobs at the BBC, CBC and WTN. Students are now also selling their student productions to webcasters.

Dr. Grauer and her colleagues studied GIFTS’ model of learning by doing, concluding that “the value of [GIFTS and other such institutions] is in the lessons they offer for creating a democratic place where the curriculum and pedagogy foster communication, collaboration, and collective problem solving” The studies feature in-depth research on the educational model of the school as innovatively different from the traditional classroom setting.

Read the first report by Dr. Grauer. (pdf format)

Read the second report by Dr. Grauer’s team. (pdf format)

Rooms:
There are 6 rooms for male students and 6 rooms for female students. Each room can accommodate up to 3 students.

Bathrooms:
There is one uni-sex bathroom with sink and toilet.
There is one men’s bathroom with sink, toilet and shower
There is one women’s bathroom with sink, toilet and shower
There are also two shower-only facilities

Water: 
We are on an excellent well which is tested monthly by the Vancouver Island Health Authority. Drinking water is, therefore, always freely available from the tap. It is not our policy to provide bottled water.
Food:
Snacks: Fruit (Apples, Oranges) & Granola Bars (asst.) are always out; Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate & Fruit Drink are always available; Noodles are usually available with assistance from a staff member.
Sample Menu
(subject to seasonal adjustments; GIFTS can accommodate most allergies & dietary restrictions):
Monday
Breakfast: Cold cereal (Honey Os, Corn Flakes, Rice Crisps, Cranberry Crunch Flakes), some sweet cereal (Captain Crunch or Cinnamon Toast Crunch or similar), Granola, Raisins, Cranberries, Milk, Soy or Rice Milk, Yoghurt, Apples, Oranges, Bananas, Toast (Whole Grain, Cinnamon or White), Butter, Jam, Peanut Butter, Orange Juice, Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate
(these items are usually out each day for breakfast)
plus Hot Cereal (Oatmeal or Red River type)
Lunch: Soup, Salad, Rice, Fresh Baked Bread, Butter, Cheese
Dinner: Spaghetti with vegetarian tomato vegetable sauce (Meatballs on side) , Garlic Bread, Salad, Meatballs
Tuesday
Breakfast: Cold Cereals & Toast et al., Pancakes, Syrup
Lunch: Hot Dogs or veggie dogs, Whole Grain & White Buns, Toppings, Soup, Salad, Chips 
Dinner: Bean Burritos or Chili, Salad, Corn Bread, Rice, Sour Cream, Salsa, Chocolate Cake
Wednesday
Breakfast: Cold Cereals & Toast et al., Toaster Waffles, Syrup
Lunch: Quesadillas, Salad, Corn Chips, Guacamole, Sour Cream, Salsa, Soup or Gallo Pinto (Rice & Beans)
Dinner: Fish (Cod or Salmon), Baked Potatoes, Sour Cream, Butter, Chives, Salad, Seasonal Vegetables 
Thursday
Breakfast: Cold Cereals & Toast et al., plus Bacon, Eggs, Home Fries 
Lunch: Grilled Cheese, Salad, Tomato Soup, Cookies 
Dinner: Pizza (Veggie & Meat), Salad, Vegetables, Fruit crisp
Friday
Breakfast: Cold Cereals & Toast et al., plus Hot Cereal 
Lunch: Hamburgers, Toppings (Tomatoes, Lettuce, Cheese, Onions, Catsup, Mustard, Relish, Hot Peppers), Salad, Chips, Fruit
Dinner: Baked Chicken or Vegetarian dish (Tofu/Tempe), Fresh salad, potatoes and or rice, Cake or pie 
Saturday
Breakfast: Cold Cereals & Toast et al., plus Muffins
Lunch: Macaroni and cheese, Salad, Chips, Fruit
Snack: Cookies, coffee, tea, fruit drinks available for students and parents before the screening.

Concession:

Concession items available for sale usually include: chocolate bars, chips, pop, juice,
popcorn, cookies, hot items (pizza pops &/or burritos) & iced cream novelties.

Schools give credits on an individual basis. Students desiring school credits for their time at GIFTS will need to consult with their school counsellor to challenge the Media Arts 11 or Film and TV 12 course. Students will need to show him/her their certificate & finished video or game, and discuss what they have learned. Students have completed a minimum of 50 hours of work during a Media Intensive Program at GIFTS; most students do 80 or more. Counsellors are usually flexible in crediting in a needed area, e.g. fine arts, applied arts, technology, drama, CAPP, or work experience. Depending on the amount of work a student has done, or in the case of multiple GIFTS’ programs, students may be awarded credits in multiple course areas. Rules may vary among school districts, but we do know a lot of our students get credits recognized this way.

A completed GIFTS video or game can also act as a portfolio reel, valuable for college or university entrance applications.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. Please call (250) 539-5729 or write [email protected].

The Gulf Islands Film and Television School is a unique media camp, offering intensive training in the media arts in a beautiful and somewhat remote location, and most of our courses are directed at youth. Our students often come from far afield, and have to negotiate some complex transportation connections to get here.

We want students to arrive safe and rested, so we are providing an Extended Service Package to make arriving and departing as simple and hassle-free as possible. Long-distance travellers will appreciate the relief this service offers, and parents can be reassured that their teens will arrive safe and sound. Local travellers will appreciate the convenience and comfort.

Limousine/Shuttle Pick-up:

PICK-UP 1: Vancouver bus/train Terminal, 4:30 PM Sunday, 1150 Station St, close to the Science Centre
PICK-UP 2: Vancouver International Airport, 5:00PM Sunday

Students are delivered to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and board the ferry as foot passengers (ferry fare not included).

An extra overnight stay for easier connections:

Students stay at G.I.F.T.S. for the final Saturday instead of leaving right after the screening, and return to Vancouver on Sunday morning well-rested (dinner and breakfast included).

Limousine/Shuttle Drop-off:

DROP-OFF 1: Vancouver International Airport, 11:30AM Sunday
DROP-OFF 2: Vancouver bus/train Terminal, NOON Sunday

Cost:

Prices will vary based on day and the vehicle selected plus GST.
Town Car, Escalade, Limo or shuttle. 1 way or Round Trip.

FERRY FARE NOT INCLUDED: round trip fare is approximately $28.00 and must be paid by cash or credit card (BC Ferries does not accept debit cards)

Please call (250) 539-5729 or write [email protected] for more details