Please consider the following PSA’s for use in your Community Calendar, Meetings or Events areas.

Spring Tracks Walking Club
Start date:  Immediate    
End date:   Wednesday, June 25, 8 a.m.

There’s still time to get in on the free ‘Spring Tracks Walking Club’ that gets you outside and active.

The beginner walking program runs Monday and Wednesday mornings at 9:00.  Club members and our walking leader walk along the Mission Creek Greenway and in Mission Creek Regional Park gradually increasing the duration of their walks at each outing with the goal of walking for 90 minutes by the end of the program.

Members also receive a walking journal, walking tips, seminars and motivational tips to keep them moving.  ‘Tracks’ is a registered Hearts in Motion Walking Club with the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation.

There’s no charge to join but please register by either dropping in to the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan, email eeco@cord.bc.ca or phone 250-469-6139.

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

Story Time at the EECO
Start date:  Immediate    
End date:   Tuesday, June 24, 9 a.m.

Here’s a weekly activity that gets three to five year old children moving, learning and playing.

‘Story Time at the EECO’ takes place each Tuesday morning at 10:00 through June 24th in the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan located in Mission Creek Regional Park, Springfield and Durnin Roads.

It’s a free one-hour drop-in program for children aged three to five and their caregivers and features nature-themed stories and songs followed by an art or craft project. The program is an excellent way for younger children to play while learning more about the natural world.

For more information about this or other Regional Parks programs or events please visit regionaldistrict.com/parksevents, drop-in or call the EECO at 250-469-6140.

Families in Parks
Start date:  Immediate     
End date:   June 21, 4 p.m.

Help celebrate the 40th anniversary of our fantastic Central Okanagan regional park system by joining our ‘Families in Parks’ activities in June.

These outings with our park interpretation staff are designed so that every member of your family can take part!  Please pre-register by either dropping in to the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan, email eeco@cord.bc.ca or phone 250-469-6139.

-    Saturday, June 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. take part in a ‘Voyager Canoe Tour’ on the water of Okanagan Lake off Kopje Regional Park on Carrs Landing Road in Lake Country.  Paddle along the shoreline and learn about some cultural history of the area.  Participants must pre-register to reserve a space with a cost of $25 for each adult and $15 per child.  This program is offered by Selah Outdoor Adventures.

-    Sunday, June 22 from noon to 3 p.m., bring the whole family out for our annual ‘Old Fashioned Teddy Bear Picnic’ at Kopje Regional Park on Carrs Landing Road in Lake Country.  Families are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch, bring along a blanket or chairs and don’t forget that stuffy.  You’ll be able to take part in the various family activities, games and entertainment that our Regional Parks crew has planned.  Finish off your picnic with some cookies and lemonade served on china!

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

‘Go Fish’ in a Regional Park
Start date:  Immediate    
End date:   Sunday, June 15  1 p.m.

The ‘Go Fish’ program is underway with rainbow trout being caught at two easy to access regional park locations!

Each Saturday and Sunday until June 15th from 10:00am to 3:00 pm visit the Hall Road pond in Mission Creek Regional Park or the special fishing area in Shannon Lake Regional Park.

The program offers youth age 15 and under, a chance to catch one rainbow trout each day without a fishing license.  A limited number of rods, reels and bait will be available each weekend for youngsters to use and try their luck!

Participants are reminded to please respect our park neighbours by parking only in the designated areas and not to block any driveways.

‘Go Fish’ is being offered once again with the generous support of the Peachland Sportsmen’s Association, Lonely Loon Flyfishers Society, Kelowna and District Fish and Game Club along with the Ministry of Environment, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and the Summerland Trout Hatchery.

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

Take a Hike
Start date:  Immediate      
End date:   Wednesday, June 25, 4 p.m.

You’re invited to take part a series of interpretive hikes in different Central Okanagan Regional Parks.

While there’s no cost to join in the guided ‘Take a Hike’ program, please pre-register at the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan by emailing eeco@cord.bc.ca or call 250-469-6139.   All outings begin at 9:00 am.  Participants are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing, footwear and bring their own water and snack for these two to three hour outings.

-    Thursday, June 12th – join our park interpreter and geologist Murray Roed as we explore Scenic Canyon Regional Park.  Our geologic expedition sets off from and returns to the Field Road parking lot.

-    Thursday, June 26th – learn about the newest Regional Park in the Central Okanagan, the more than 400-hectare Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park along the south slopes.  Bring a camera for fantastic northerly views of the valley and Okanagan Lake.  This outing passes through an area that’s regenerating from the devastating 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park firestorm.  It begins at the Chute Lake Road parking area.

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

Outings with Adaptive Adventures

Start date:   Immediate

End date:  Thursday, June 12, 10:30 a.m.

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.

-    Thursday, June 5th – experience the serenity and ruggedness of phase 2 along the Mission Creek Greenway through Scenic Canyon Regional Park.

-    Thursday, June 12th - meet at the Collens Hill Road parking lot as we set out to discover the beauty and scenic waterfront views in Kalamoir Regional Park.

Learn more about CRIS and their services for these hikes at www.AdaptiveAdventures.ca

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

Summer Nature Camps
Start date:  Sunday, June 1     
End date:   Monday, August 18   

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 morning 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 age 3 and 4 years running mornings July 2nd to 4th and August 5th through 8th.

The camps use three Regional Parks (Mission Creek, Gellatly Nut Farm or Bertram Creek) 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 on camp locations, dates and registration prices 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.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014