Fill up your summer calendar with fun events for you and the family at the Kokanee Visitor’s Centre at Kokanee Creek Park beginning this Friday for Canada Day.
“We’ve got a terrific line-up this year,” says the centre’s coordinator Mel Reasoner.
“In addition to interpretative programs, we’ll be trying some new things like art and yoga in the park, photography classes, music in the park and movie nights. It should be a very exciting summer with programs seven days a week.”
New to the visitor’s centre this year will be an Internet coffee shop with Oso Negro Coffee, Otter’s Book Nook, posters, cards and fair trade gifts. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5:30 to 9 p.m. Evening presentations will start at 7:30 p.m.
Reasoner is joined by naturalists Monica Nissen, Genna Lintz and Olivia Van Jarrett for a summer of science, fun, environmental stewardship and discovery.
The ever-popular Jerry’s Rangers are back by demand for the school children, he says.
Opening day will see a ceremony at 3 p.m. to thank all the sponsors and volunteers for their contributions. That evening at 7 p.m. campers and visitors are invited to a tour of the Centre and a sing-along at the Hootenanny Fire Pit.
“Come ready to join in some songs and wolf down some marshmallows and wieners,” says Reasoner.
“This is a great start to the summer. If it ever starts,” he jokes.
This is the first year the West Kootenay EcoSociety is partnering with the Friends of West Kootenay Park and BC Parks to operate the centre. Plans are to offer community events as well as presenting programs for campers and residents in July and August and to make these programs available in the shoulder seasons.
Reasoner is putting out a call for volunteer hosts at the center.
“We are amazed at the response we’ve had from the community,” he says. “Volunteers are a key component to our success and we can always use more volunteers.”
If you would like to volunteer, call Suzy Hamilton, 250-825-9372. A schedule of each week’s activities is at ecosociety.ca.
