What's Happening?
Belted Kingfisher: Cheakamus Centre Bird of the Year 2018
It was a close race with the American dipper, hooded merganser, and red-breasted Sapsucker in the first-ever Cheakamus Centre Bird of the Year contest, but in the end the belted kingfisher rose to the top.
Votes were earned by identifying several of the different species that call the Cheakamus Centre home for at least part of the year. In total, 212 votes were cast with 86 going to the Belted Kingfisher.
Kingfisher Photo © Alan and Elaine Wilson (https://www.naturespicsonline.com/about)
Grant Writing Workshop Available!
Are you part of a not-for-profit organization, a community volunteer, or individual seeking grants and sponsorships? During this collaborative workshop you will learn how to write applications, structure budgets, and prepare proposal materials.
Fee: Donation of $35 - includes Friends of Cheakamus membership and support for environmental education initiatives.
Date: Monday, June 25th
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
To register, please contact Sarah at sarah@cheakamuscentre.ca
Summer camps are almost here ...
Cheakamus Centre is host to some incredible camps this summer!
Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures has partnered with us to provide the very best in overnight activity-based adventure summer camps. Offering exciting adventure experiences you won’t find in any other summer camp! Fun, Experiential, Educational. Your child will explore life outdoors through high quality mountain experiences. The action-packed schedule includes Via Ferrata climbing, hiking, waterfall tour, Sea to Sky Gondola, a low ropes course and sports activities and more. Learn more and register today!
Every year, Artists for Kids takes a group of 8 to 18 year old children and youth up to Paradise Valley for Summer School of the Arts. Both the junior group (ages 8 to 12) and the senior class (ages 13 to 18) are paired with a professional artist who presents on their work throughout the week. The students work with Art Specialist Teachers to make art of their own in response to the presentations from the Visiting Artist. There are also blocks of recreation time where the students go canoeing, hiking, or sketch the gorgeous scenery that surrounds them. Learn more.
Chef Wade Making Maple Syrup!
Our Executive Chef, Wade Rowland has been very busy this fall and winter season. Chef and his team have been engaged in tapping maple trees at Cheakamus Centre for a few years now. Recently, it has played a role in our Outdoor School programming and the children have been more involved than ever in this wonderful experience. Check out Chef's Lesson Plan to learn more.
Check out this Video of how maple syrup is made, from tapping to reducing and all of the steps in between!
Check out Chef Wade's new Blog too!
Call for Memories!
In the lead up to Cheakamus Centre’s 50th Anniversary in 2019, we are calling all students, parents, and teachers to submit pictures, postcards, and stories of their favourite Outdoor School and Skw’une-was experiences. Materials can be emailed to kulvir@shaw.ca or sarah@cheakamuscentre.ca
Wintering Bald Eagles Walk - A Friends of Cheakamus Event was a Success!
On January 6, 2018 more than two dozen adults and children gathered at Cheakamus Centre for the first Friends of Cheakamus members’ event of the year – Wintering Bald Eagles Walk. After fueling up on hot coffee and freshly-baked bannock, the group headed out in the field. Members viewed bald eagles close-up in their winter habitat, and learned about the unique ecology and wildlife of the area from volunteer experts Victor Elderton and Kate Keogh. Vic and Kate shared their knowledge and enthusiasm in a way that intrigued adults and children alike, and opened everyone’s eyes to the wonders of these magnificent birds of prey. Jason Bigelow, longtime Cheakamus friend and talented birder, also came along and helped with bird identification. The rain held off and there was a good handful of sightings on this easy-paced, highly interpretive walk along the Cheakamus River dyke trail.
Everyone had a great time and this event was so successful that we will be hosting a spring nature walk for Friends of Cheakamus members when the weather warms. Stay tuned!
"An amazing day! Learning about eagles from engaging experts in the field. I’m looking forward to the Spring event." ~ Luke Smeaton from SD 44 - Manager of Sustainability, Energy & Environmental Planning
"I have been telling everyone who will listen that they should become a Friend of Cheakamus so they can check out the next event - and bring their kids!" ~ Steph
Check our our Friends of Cheakamus page to learn how our Spring Friends of Cheakamus Forest Botany Walk went!
Finalist for Best Wedding Reception Venue!
We are thrilled to share this amazing news that Cheakamus Centre and more specifically our beautiful LEED® Platinum Environmental Learning Centre was recently named a finalist for the BC Wedding Awards 2017 - Best Wedding Reception Venue. Congrats as well to all of the other winners and finalists nominated for a BC Wedding Award.
The Transat Sustainable Tourism Award
We are thrilled to share this exciting news about our hospitality partner, The Listel Hospitality Group, who was recently named as a finalist in the Sustainability category at the 2017 Canadian Tourism Awards! Congrats as well to co-finalists; Churchill Wild of Ile des Chenes, Manitoba and Mistaken Point Cape Race Heritage Site of Trepassey, Newfoundland.
Cheakamus Centre launches new membership program
Cheakamus Centre launches a brand-new Friends of Cheakamus program. Outdoor enthusiasts of all ages with a love for nature, the environment, and education are encouraged to join today. As a Friend of Cheakamus, members receive a range of benefits that includes special member events, free access to over 140 nature centres, and more. Sign up!
