Summer Nature Camps

Registration is underway at the EECO (Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan) in Mission Creek Regional Park for this summer’s Nature Camps.

This popular half day summer program for youngsters returns during July and August with camps for youth aged 5 - 7. There is also a special program for pre-school children aged 3 and 4 years running mornings July 3rd to 5th; July 30th to August 1st and August 6th through 8th. The camps use either Mission Creek or Bertram Creek Regional Parks as a backdrop for fun, active indoor and outdoor activities with a focus on environmental education to foster an appreciation for our natural environment.

For more information check out ‘Your Guide to Regional Parks’, go online to regionaldistrict.com/parks or contact Regional Parks Services at 250-469-6232 or the EECO at 250-469-6140.


Start date:  Wednesday, June 26th
End date:   Tuesday, August 27th – 9:00 am

Summer Storytime in the Park

Mission Creek Regional Park offers a fun and interactive weekly program for pre-schoolers this summer.

‘Summer Storytime in the Park’ takes place each Tuesday morning (rain or shine) during July and August for three to five year old children and their caregivers.  Meet at 10:00 am on the lawn near the playground in Mission Creek Regional Park, Springfield and Durnin Roads.  Participation is by donation.

During the hour, you’ll be treated to nature stories, songs, a mini nature walk and exploration to engage participants.  It’s a fun and active way to learn more about our Regional Parks and the animals of the Okanagan.

For more information visit the Regional District website regionaldistrict.com/parks or contact the EECO staff at 250-469-6140.

Start date:  Monday, July 1st
End date:   Sunday, August 25th  – 2:00 pm

Gibson House Tours

Delve into a bit of local history at the Gibson Heritage House in Kopje Regional Park on Carrs Landing Road in Lake Country.

It’s open for tours from noon to 4:00 pm each Saturday and Sunday during July and August.  Regional Parks staff and volunteers will guide you through the 1912 heritage house which has been restored and refurnished through community donations.

For more information please visit regionaldistrict.com/parks, check out ‘Your Guide to Regional Parks’ or contact the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan at 250-469-6140.

Start date:  Monday, July 1st
End date:   Saturday, July 13th  – 2:00 pm

Families in Parks

The ‘Families in Parks’ program continues with two special events during the month of July.

On Saturday, July 13th from 9:00 – 11:00 am at the Woodhaven Nature Conservancy Regional Park on Raymer Road in Kelowna join Artist Lori Mairs for this special free family-friendly interpretive session called ‘Listen to the Forest’ inside the confines of this special park with four distinctive natural ecosystems.

On Saturday, July 20th between 1:00 and 3:00 pm, we’re celebrating ‘Canada Parks Day’ at Bertram Creek Regional Park and invite your entire family to ‘Go Snaky’ with us.  There will be refreshments including a Canada Parks Day cake.  You can work off the cake with musical entertainment in the park amphitheater from ‘Yonisha Rhythms’ with the colours and sounds of Brazil.  Scott Alexander will bring his local and South American snakes and will entertain with snake facts.  There are two parking areas located just off the south end of Lakeshore Road in Kelowna to access this free family event.

For more information please visit regionaldistrict.com/parks, check out ‘Your Guide to Regional Parks’or contact the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan at 250-469-6140.

Start date:  Monday, July 1st
End date:   Saturday, July 13th  – 2:00 pm

Park Fun Zones

Our Regional Parks staff wants to have some fun with you this summer.  That’s why they’re gearing up for the Park Fun Zones program.  Here’s where you can catch up with them for a few hours of games and activities!

-  Thursday, July 4th – Mission Creek Regional Park (Springfield and Durnin Road) in Kelowna from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
-  Friday, July 12th – Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park (Whitworth Road) in West Kelowna from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
-  Thursday, July 18th – Bertram Creek Regional Park (south end of Lakeshore Road in Kelowna) from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
-  Friday, August 2nd – Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park (Whitworth Road) in West Kelowna from 12:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m.
-  Friday, August 9th – Reiswig Regional Park (Woodsdale Road in Lake Country) from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
-  Thursday, August 15th – Bertram Creek Regional Park (south end of Lakeshore Road in Kelowna) from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For more information please visit regionaldistrict.com/parks, check out ‘Your Guide to Regional Parks’or contact the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan at 250-469-6140.


Start date:  Monday, July 15th      
End date:   Friday, September 6th  – 4:00 pm

‘Take a Hike’

This summer the ‘Take a Hike’ program invites you to learn and explore the variety of our Central Okanagan Regional Parks.

A Regional Parks Interpreter and a special guest act as your guides to highlight special features in each park visited during these two to three hour outings that begin at 9:00 am.

-  Saturday, July 27th learn about ‘The Trepanier Saga’ as historian Bob Hayes joins our moderately challenging hike through Trepanier Creek Greenway Regional Park.   Meet in the parking area on Trepanier Road – take Trepanier Road off ramp from Highway 97-C the Okanagan Connector, just west of Peachland.

-  Friday, August 23rd explore ‘Something Fishy’ during this easy rated outing at Hardy Falls Regional Park.  Meet in the parking area on Hardy Road, off Highway 97 along the south end of Peachland.

-  Saturday, September 7th participants will be ‘Sleuthing Invasive Plants’ in this moderately rated hike in Kalamoir Regional Park.  Participants should meet in the lower parking area off Collens Hill Road in West Kelowna.

Participants should wear appropriate footwear and clothing, have sun protection and bring water and a snack.  Please pre-register for these free outings at the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan by emailing eeco@cord.bc.ca or call 250-469-6140.

Each hike is being held in conjunction with the Community Recreational Initiatives Society or CRIS, providing barrier-free access to our Regional Parks.  Learn more about CRIS and request their services for these hikes at www.AdaptiveAdventures.ca

For more information on our other hikes or any of our Regional Parks programs visit the Regional District website regionaldistrict.com/parks or contact the EECO staff at 250-469-6140 or email eeco@cord.bc.ca.

Start date:   Tuesday, July 10th
End date:  Thursday, September 12th  – 12:30 pm

Walks-Hikes with Adaptive Adventures

Regional Parks Services is teaming up with the Community Recreational Initiatives Society (CRIS) Adaptive Adventures, for a series of walks and hikes, making our Regional Parks accessible for everyone.

Everyone is welcome to take part in these outings, from beginner to expert and those needing assistance to enjoy the outdoors.  The following hikes begin at 1:00 pm.

-  Wednesday, July 17th - please meet at the Hollywood Road South entrance to the Mission Creek Greenway as we explore the Scenic Canyon Regional Park section of the recreational trail.
-  Thursday, July 18th – meet in the parking area of Mill Creek Regional Park – off Spencer Road for a walk through this sheltered and pretty riparian park, ending with a close up view of the waterfalls.
-  Wednesday, August 28th – please meet at the EECO (Springfield and Durnin Roads) as we tour the Sutherland Hills trails in Mission Creek Regional Park .
-  Thursday, August 29th – please meet at the EECO (Springfield and Durnin Roads) as we walk the spawning channel and the Mission Creek Greenway with a visit to the old homestead site.   
-  Thursday September 12th – please meet at the EECO (Springfield and Durnin Roads) as we walk the Mission Creek Greenway and spawning channel to discover the wonder of the Kokanee Salmon lifecycle.

For more information and further hikes and dates visit the Regional District website regionaldistrict.com/parks or contact the EECO staff at 250-469-6140.

Start date:  Monday, August 19th
End date:   Monday, October 14th  – 8:00 am

Join the Free, Tracks Walking Club

Get active, improve your health and enjoy some fresh air.

Register now for the free fall session of the popular ‘Tracks Walking Club’ at the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan in Mission Creek Regional Park.  There’s no cost to sign up and members receive a walking journal, walking tips, seminars and motivational tips that keep you moving.

The program runs for seven weeks starting September 4th and wraps up October 16th.  Each Monday and Wednesday morning at 9:00 (no walk Thanksgiving Monday) club members will take part in a graduated walking program along the Mission Creek Greenway and in Mission Creek Regional Park.  People at a beginner fitness level are encouraged to take part and along with our walking leader will over the course of the program increase their health, stamina and walking duration to 60 minutes.  The goal is for participants to join in on the Kokanee Run/Walk on Saturday, October 19th.

For more information about this or other Regional Park programs please visit the Regional District website regionaldistrict.com/parks or contact the EECO at 250-469-6140.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013