We are the All Stages Education Foundation and we proudly power these three amazing programs.

click to learn more about each program

What sets us apart

WE ARE NOT YOUR AVERAGE CAMP

What began in 1983 as a simple seed of an idea – a dance class in Daajing Giids, a village on Haida Gwaii has since evolved into a longstanding, wide-reaching set of programs for Children, Teens and Families.

What sets us apart is that we’re not like a regular camp; we specialize in providing a mixed-age natural experience where individuals of all ages come together in a way that fits with our need for a specific type of psychosocial development. Perspective-taking development is a social experience that needs to be taught in social environments and is best absorbed. In school, children are typically separated into age groups and are expected to sit down and try to understand different perspectives through academia. As a result, there are often not enough adults who have proper abstract thinking. Our programs allow kids and teens to make leaps toward adult thinking in a natural social environment rather than in an academic setting.

Let’s Support the Next Generation Together.

We have been tackling these challenges for over forty years, and we are just getting started. In 2021 we officially became a registered Canadian Non-Profit called the All-Stages Education Foundation so this mission can live on.

Whether you’re a parent seeking an enriching environment for your child, a donor wanting to support youth-led empowerment, or a venue interested in partnering with our programs, we welcome you. Contact us today to help children journey through life with joy and resilience.

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“Our programs have grown out of the Haven with its many gifts – a product of this beautiful environment – a place with a history of healing, growing, and learning – a history that even little children recognize as peace-bringing. Not just a venue – our spiritual home.”

Denise Goldbeck
Founder

We Utilize the Performing Arts... BUT we are not your average theatre camp.

We use the performing arts as a vehicle to teach social interaction skills, leadership skills, and perspective-taking. This approach enhances social awareness and self-esteem, while providing individuals with the confidence to speak up for themselves. It helps them hear and feel their own voice, and develops their ability to make an impact on others.

We happen to use the performing arts to do this because it allows for endless possibilities in creative expression.

  • We love the power of voice as singing and public speech fosters confidence.
  • We love the power of movement as it supports various aspects of nerve development in the body and helps individuals understand their awareness in space.
  • We love the power of costumes and props and how it aids in perspective taking and teaches a sense of personal responsibility and care over ones belongings.

We love our large natural venue... BUT you won't learn archery here.

We love to be in an environment that’s natural where children and families can explore and learn about the space around them. Nowadays, kids often miss out on these experiences. This setting allows children to develop a sense of geography, understanding where their cabin is, where we eat, where we dance and play, and where the beach and pool are located.

Since 1987 our homebase for our programs have taken place at the Haven on Gabriola Island.

Our Challenge

We attempt to fill in the gaps from School and Family life... AND embrace mixed-age learning

Our programs emphasize mixed-age interactions, which are often absent in traditional schools. While schools and families strive to meet children’s developmental needs, they have limitations. Our experiences help bridge the gap between what schools provide and what children encounter in their home lives. Many neighbourhoods confine children to peers of similar ages, limiting the diversity of their interactions.

We believe that children thrive in a multigenerational community.

By interacting with peers of varying ages, children and adolescents foster creativity, empathy, and understanding. Each interaction offers opportunities for growth, whether a young child learns from an older peer or a teenager gains insights from a mentor. These moments create a supportive community where knowledge and wisdom are shared across generations.

Our Solution

We are Youth-Led...AND the tools provided carry forward into adult life.

To train our youth leaders, we utilize the concept of scaffolding which turns learning a new skill into a social process done alongside peers. We also use psychological models to enhance the self awareness of our leaders. Our leaders are encouraged to explore their own interests, talents, and skills within our program. We provide them with opportunities to try out their talents and pursue their interests, helping them develop in ways that benefit not only the program but also themselves.

Our goal is for participants to discover something meaningful about themselves throughout their journey from a first year leader giving their first recognition to a participant to a more senior leader directing the show. We hope that this experience will lead them to a deeper understanding of their life purpose—whether that is to accept, discover, or create it. This understanding supports them in forming better intimate relationships, becoming better parents, and learning how to connect with people from all walks of life.

We are multi-generational

Since the 1980s, many families have come to view our programs as an annual tradition. Some participants start with us as small children and remain involved until they graduate from high school or university. Now, many alumni of our KITS and LAUNCH programs are beginning to have families of their own and are bringing their children to participate. What a special experience to take on the same role as your parent or relative and to connect and relate to them in a new unique way.

Our people

Leaders who help empower us

Denise Goldbeck

Executive Director

Denise Goldbeck is the Founder and Executive Director of All-Stages and is the driving force behind its growth since 1987.
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Jacob Goldbeck

Senior KITS & Launch Leader

Jacob Goldbeck has been a senior KITS and Launch leader for seven years, overseeing the program structure and content, and mentoring younger leaders.

Maddy Marchildon

Senior KITS & Launch Leader

Maddy is a senior KITS and Launch leader who has attended our programs since she was little. She continues to provide mentorship in our groups but also provides ongoing support to the foundation by helping with administration, outreach, and building community.

Our Board of Directors

We have a dedicated Board of Directors, led by Tracey Brown, who support the organization with their guidance, direction and expertise.

A Selection of our Youth Leadership Team

Our Amazing Team

Back Row: Maddy, Nic, Sarah, Kiera and Ellie. Front Row: Andrew, Ruby, Denise, Jacob, Zoe and Sasha.

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