Check out our list to make the most out of the season and enjoy this summer in the beautiful British Columbia.
1) Download the canoo app
Canoo is an app for newcomers to Canada with free VIP access to over 1,400 of our country’s most exciting cultural and outdoor experiences. Museums, science centres, art galleries, parks, and historic sites are available to you, free of charge. Additionally, newcomers can access discounts to live events, travel and entertainment. The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) created Canoo in 2010 to help new Canadian citizens celebrate their citizenship.
2) Read and learn about your community
Libraries in BC offer a plethora of books on the outdoors in your community. Stephen Hui’s book, Best Hikes and Nature Walks with Kids In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, can be found in many libraries, including the Okanagan Regional Library. Jayne Seagrave’s book Camping British Columbia, The Rockies, and Yukon, is another good option; available at your Surrey Public Libraries. If you’d rather stay urban, the Vancouver Public Library has created This Vancouver to share the stories and history of Vancouver communities.
3) Borrow an ExplorePACK with your Richmond Public Library Card
ExplorePACKS are perfect for a fun and educational way to spend time outdoors appreciating nature.
The Birdwatching ExplorePACK includes binoculars, National Geographic field guide to the birds of Western North America, BC birding map, and more.
The Fishing ExplorePACKS contain a tackle box, pliers, floaters, weights, lures, baitholders, fishing line, bottle plastic eggs, fishing rod, and printed material.
Hiking ExplorePACKS contains a headlamp, bivy sack, rescue whistle, first-aid kit, emergency radio and charger, trekking poles, backpack, and a compass.
4) Learn to Ride a Bicycle in Vancouver this summer
HUB offers ‘Newcomer Learn To Ride’ courses providing targeted cycling training that introduce immigrants and refugees to Metro Vancouver cycling culture, infrastructure and rules. Starting in-class and moving to on-road, Newcomer Learn to Ride courses are a fun, practical and hands-on way for all ages and abilities to become comfortable riding for transportation in Metro Vancouver. These courses are specialized for newcomers, and delivered at various skill levels – from participants who are just learning to balance and pedal for the first time, to those who have basic cycling skills and are ready to learn about riding safely and joyfully in the city. Need a helmet? HUB provides bikes and helmets for instruction. This program is funded by ISSofBC.
5) Take a Walking Tour of Your Community
Many communities offer self-guided tours. A simple Google search can provide you with information about your community. In Victoria, BC, you can take a self-guided heritage walk through some of the oldest parts of the city to discover Victoria’s hidden history: Mysterious Chinatown, Rollicking Boomtown, Haunted Victoria, and Victoria’s Law and Order. North Shore residents and visitors can experience public art located in town centres, parks, along trails and pathways, and outside civic and commercial buildings throughout North Vancouver. Whether you’re walking, hiking, cycling or wheeling, there’s lots of public art to discover here on the north shore. The North Vancouver Public Art Guide & Map is available at local community centres, libraries and arts venues.
There is so much to see and do in this beautiful province of BC; much of it is free. Get out there. Explore. Most of all, have fun.