Register for Summer Day Camps

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

This popular summer program for youngster’s returns during July and August with camps for Junior youth aged 5 - 7, Senior youth age 8 - 11 and Eco-Challenge camp for those age 12 - 15 in either morning or afternoon sessions. There is also a special Parent and Tots program for youngsters that are 3 and 4 years of age. The camps use Regional Parks throughout the Central Okanagan as a backdrop for fun, active indoor and outdoor activities with a focus on environmental education creating an appreciation for our natural environment.

For more information check out ‘Your Guide to Regional Parks’, follow this link or contact the Regional Parks Department at 250-469-6232 or the EECO at 250-469-6140.

Free 'Take a Hike' Program Returns

Expand your horizons, get out in the fresh air and learn some interesting things about our Regional Parks.

During June, July and August, the popular ‘Take a Hike’ program visits different Regional Parks with guided hikes that are designed for all ability levels.  Link to Take a Hike Schedule

There’s no cost to participate.  Our park interpreters guide you each Wednesday and Friday morning and we’re continuing this year with some special weekend outings.  Each hike is rated Easy, Moderate or More Difficult and is designed for almost every age and fitness level.  Participants should dress for the weather conditions, wear sturdy shoes and bring along a water bottle.  You may want to pack a camera to capture the special features or creatures our staff might point out in each park!

Several outings this summer are connected with the “Forest Story” exhibit at the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan. Participants will see how some areas have been impacted by the pine beetle and how we’re responding to the pest.  Waggers are also welcome on some of our outings.  This feature was so popular last year that we’re allowing leashed dogs to accompany their owners on 16 of our hikes.  Participants are asked to check the schedule to ensure dogs on leash are allowed and to remember to pick up after their pet!

Wednesday morning hikes start at 10:00 am and last approximately one hour.  Friday morning hikes begin at 9:00 am; are usually a little more challenging and last from two to three hours.  Participants on these outings are encouraged to bring water, a snack or light lunch.  Weekend morning hikes also begin at 9:00 am and go anywhere from one to three hours, depending on their difficulty rating.

For more information about the ‘Take a Hike’ program, dates, times and meeting locations, check out ‘Your Guide to Regional Parks 2008’.  It’s also available at municipal offices, recreation facilities and tourist information centres from Lake Country to Peachland.

The Ultimate Treasure Hunt - Geocaching

Your entire family can participate in the latest high-tech treasure hunt.

From now until October, the Regional Parks and Recreation Department is offering this exciting new program for families.  Geocaching combines your mental and physical skills using modern and ancient technologies in order to discover a series of clues and prizes, leading you to the ultimate treasure.

Each family that registers in the free ‘Geocaching for Families’ program, will receive a mystery clue each month that leads them on a chase to find special prize caches using a GPS (global positioning satellite) unit.  Besides the fun you can have as you solve each new mystery location, you have a chance to win great prizes like a GPS unit or a gift certificate that can be used towards geocaching gear!

Parks Interpreter Alison Campbell Urness says, “Geocaching is a world-wide phenomenon.  We thought it would be fun to introduce it in the Central Okanagan as it’s an activity that the entire family can get involved in and our Regional Park system provides a great playground for geocaching participants.”

If you’d like to try your hand at geocaching, take in a guided instruction session in one of our Regional Parks.  They’re being held at 1:00 pm Saturday, May 24^th; Sunday, July 6^th; and Sunday, October 12^th.  Contact the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan (EECO) to register for the Geocaching program and receive your clues.  Your name will also be entered to qualify for the draw prizes.

Follow the link to the Regional Parks webpage for more information about programming, pick up ‘Your Guide to Regional Parks’ or call the EECO at 250-469-6140.

No Fires In Parks

Even though we’re very early into the fire season, the Regional District of Central Okanagan and City of Kelowna ask park visitors to be aware of their surroundings.

Please remember that campfires are not allowed in Regional District or City of Kelowna parks.   Residents are also reminded that smoking is not allowed in any Regional District park.   Under the Regional Parks Regulations Bylaw, anyone smoking or causing a fire in a Regional District park could face a minimum $100 fine.

Regional District Communications Coordinator Bruce Smith says, “Worse yet, you wouldn’t want to be responsible for carelessly causing a fire.  We’ve already had one small fire in the Sutherland Hills area of Mission Creek Regional Park.  A quick response from Kelowna fire fighters snuffed it out and kept it from spreading.”

People visiting natural areas within the City, such as Knox Mountain Park and Crawford Falls Park, are also asked not to smoke.

Park users and park neighbours should be vigilant; anyone noticing smoke or fire in any park should immediately call 9-1-1 and ask to be connected to their area fire department.

Investigate 'The Forest Story'

Pine trees purify our air and are home for many species of wildlife.  But our forests are the scene of an all-out natural battle, as tiny pine beetles, bore into tree after tree.  Green needles turn red, evidence of the swath of death the pests are leaving behind. 

This cycle is the focus of the latest exhibit at the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan:  ‘The Forest Story:  The Trees, the Beetles and You’.  It’s showing until late August inside the EECO in Mission Creek Regional Park, Springfield and Durnin Roads.  The EECO is open every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and each Thursday until 8:00 pm. 

The Forest Story exhibit is designed to appeal to a variety of your senses.  As soon as you walk through the door, you’ll notice the fragrance of pine in the air, like you’re walking through a pine forest.  And the exhibit is very visual.  Our displays show what the beetle is, its lifecycle and habitat.  Pull up a blue stained stump in the ‘Pine Beetle Theatre’ area of the EECO and watch a short video explaining the history of the infestation throughout the province, the stages of the beetle attack and the impact it’s having on our economy.

Many of those visiting the exhibit so far have commented that they’re amazed that such tiny insects, no larger than a grain of rice, can leave behind such a path of destruction.  Like many property owners throughout the region, we have first hand experience with the damage caused by the pine beetle, as we’ve had to remove thousands of infested trees from many of our Regional Parks.

As part of our Forest Story exhibit, join a Regional Parks interpreter for a tour of the exhibit followed by an interpretive walk in Mission Creek Regional Park.  You’ll see how some areas have been impacted by the pine beetle and how we’re responding to this natural predator of the forest.  For dates and times of these ‘Nature Programs for Families’ please check ‘Your Guide to Regional Parks 2008’.  You can link to it anytime or pick up a copy at local municipal offices or visitor information centres.