Week of Welcome 2026

Please note: Children are the responsibility of the guardian. Our WOW events are not drop off events.

Please note: Photos and videos will be taken to celebrate the event and may be used for future HCOS communication. If you don't want your families picture taken, please speak with a staff member on site.

Click the link for your region or scroll down.

• Interior
• Lower Mainland
• North
• Island

Interior

Salmon Arm

• Date: Thursday, September 10th 2026
• Time: 1 to 3 pm
• Address: Black Burn Park, 480 5th Avenue SW, Salmon Arm
• Parking: There is lots of parking around the park 
• Event: Your Interior RA's, Joanna Cann, and local teachers will be bringing pizza to Black Burn Park. Come join us for pizza and a play.  
• Bring: Bring a water bottle and any snacks you would enjoy.  The waterpark may be open so bring a swimsuit and towel too! 

Vernon

• Date: Friday, September 11th 2026
• Time: 2:30 to 4:30 pm
• Address: Paddlewheel Park (7815 Okanagan Landing Rd, Vernon)
• Parking: Lots of parking
• Event: We encourage families come enjoy a park afternoon with our teachers and meet other families. The teachers will have a cool sweet treat to share.
• Bring:  Bring something to sit on, afternoon snacks and dress for the weather including sun protection. 

While the water may be tempting, our event is limited to the grass area and playground.

Kelowna

• Date: Friday, September 11th 2026
• Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm
• Address: Ben Lee Park, 900 Houghton Rd, Kelowna
• Parking: At the park and side streets
• Event: We welcome families to join us for a picnic in the park and some teacher led activities. Look for the HCOS flag! 
• Bring: Your picnic lunch, something to sit on and dress for the weather. 

Trail

• Date: Wednesday, September 16th 2026
• Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm
• Address: Gyro Park, 34 Park Rd, Trail, BC. Meet us by the playground. We'll be set up by the HCOS flag.
• Parking:  
• Event: Connect as a community through conversations, play and teacher led activities. Our team will have some treats to share too!
• Bring: Picnic lunch

Sparwood

• Date: Thursday, September 17th 2026
• Time: 11 am to 2 pm
• Address: Start at Titan Truck (141 A Aspen Dr) and end at Lions Park (367 Pine Ave)
• Parking:  
• Event: Join us for a walkabout and picnic. Led by our teachers, we will be explorers on a scavenger hunt starting at Titan Truck (141 A Aspen Dr) and ending for a picnic lunch at Lions Park (367 Pine Ave) next to the spray park. Our team will have a little treat to share too!
• Bring: Your lunch, something to sit on and dress for walk and spray park. If the weather is sunny and warm maybe we'll have some fun playing in the spray park! So kids bring your sun protection, towel and bathing suit.

Cache Creek

• Date: Thursday, September 17th 2026
• Time: 10:30 am to 12 pm
• Address: Cache Creek Recreational Park, 1500 Quartz Road, Cache Creek
• Parking:
• Event: Come join HCOS teachers for a park meet-up! We will have parachute and other games plus an ice cream treat for everyone.
• Bring:  

Cranbrook

• Date: Friday, September 18th 2026
• Time: 11 am to 2 pm
• Address: Wycliffe Park, 1200 Perry Creek Rd. Area 4 is the planned meeting spot (see map). Meet us under the white tent and close to the covered picnic tables. Meet us at the HCOS flag!
• Parking:
• Event: Connect as a community through conversations, park games and teacher lead activities including a little hike to the creek to see the salmon spawning. 
• Bring: Picnic lunch and lawn games

Kamloops

• Date: Friday, September 18th 2026
• Time: 1 to 3 pm
• Address: MacArthur Island Park, 1655 Island Pkwy, Kamloops, BC. Meet at the picnic shelter near the playground and disc golf area.
• Parking:
• Event: Meet for a time of connection with HCOS teachers and families. Enjoy good conversation, a fun craft, and a sweet treat together!
• Bring:  

Penticton

• Date: 
• Time:
• Address: 
• Parking:
• Event: 
• Bring:  

Lower Mainland

Cultus Lake

• Date: Monday, September 14th 2026
• Time: 10 am to 1:30 pm
• Address: Entrance Bay Day use area at Cultus Lake (3179 Columbia Valley Hwy, Chilliwack)
• Parking: Playground end of the parking lot
• Event: Picnic style with introductions and hanging out and meeting HCOS teachers and families
• Bring: Soccer balls, frisbees, etc. If you want to stay for a picnic, feel free to bring your own food. We'll be providing some drinks and snacks.

Richmond

• Date: Wednesday, September 9th 2026
• Time: 10 am to 1:30 pm
• Address: King George/Cambie Community Park at 4160 No. 5 Road, Richmond
• Parking: Meet near the playground
• Event: Picnic style with introductions and hanging out and meeting HCOS teachers and families
• Bring: Soccer balls, frisbees, etc. If you want to stay for a picnic, feel free to bring your own food. We'll be providing some drinks and snacks.
  

Langley

• Date: Friday, September 11th 2026
• Time: 10 am to 1:30 pm
• Address: Walnut Grove Community Park at 8919 Walnut Grove Drive
• Parking: Far end of the parking lot, to meet at the shelter on the west side
• Event: Picnic style with introductions and hanging out and meeting HCOS teachers and families
• Bring: Soccer balls, frisbees, etc. If you want to stay for a picnic, feel free to bring your own food. We'll be providing some drinks and snacks.
  

Sunshine Coast

• Date: Saturday, September 26th 2026
• Time: 11 am to 2 pm
• Address: Porpoise Bay Provincial Campground, 6451 Sechelt Inlt Rd, Sechelt, BC V7Z 0L2
• Parking:
• Event: Hang out, visit, and share a potluck lunch.
• Bring: Soccer balls, frisbees, etc.

North

Prince George

• Date: Thursday, September 10th 2026
• Time: 12 to 2 pm
• Address: Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park: 17th Ave, Prince George, BC
• Parking: By The Exploration Place - Meet at the Picnic Shelter 
• Event: Come hang out, play games, and meet other home learners! A snack will be provided.
• Bring: Clothes for the weather and a picnic lunch if wanted!

Fort St John 

• Date: Monday, September 14th 2026
• Time: 10 am to 12:30 pm
• Address: Beatton Provincial Park, 248 Rd, Charlie Lake, BC V0C 1H0
• Parking: Picnic Area Parking
• Event: 
• Bring: Clothes for the weather, water bottles, your Own Picnic Lunch: Drink and Dessert Provided! 

Williams Lake

• Date: Tuesday, September 15th 2026
• Time: 10 to 11:30 am
• Address: Scout Island Nature Reserve - 1305A Borland Rd, Williams Lake BC
• Parking: Plenty available
• Event: Frisbee golf and rock painting. A snack will be provided.
• Bring: Clothes for the weather

100 Mile House

• Date: Tuesday, September 15th 2026
• Time: 1:30 to 3 pm
• Address: Centennial Park, 105 Evergreen Crescent, 100 Mile House BC
• Parking: Plenty available
• Event: Play, Connect and Snack (Snack provided)! 
• Bring: Clothes for the weather and play. Water bottle. 

Terrace 

• Date: Friday, September 18th 2026
• Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm  
• Address: Thornhill Tree Park 3630 Aspen Ave, Kitimat-Stikine E, BC V8G 5A9
• Parking: Plenty available
• Event: Connect, Play at the Park and Snack. A Snack will be provided.
• Bring: Clothes for the weather.

Smithers / Telkwa 

• Date: Tuesday, September 15th 2026
• Time: 10:30 am to 12 pm
• Address: Tyhee Lake Park picnic shelter a 5640 Tyhee Rd, Telkwa BC
• Parking: Plenty available
• Event: Play and Connect. Drop in for snacks, lake play (with parent supervision), and conversation with fellow local HCOS families. A snack will be provided.
• Bring: Clothes for the weather (Bring a picnic lunch for after if the weather is nice!)

Island

Parksville

• Date: Wednesday, September 9th 2026
• Time: 12:30 to 2:30 pm
• Address: Parksville Community Park, 193 Island Hwy E, Parksville (see map). Look for the HCOS signs.
• Parking: Easy access and plenty of parking available
• Event: Join us for a fun afternoon at the beach! This is a great opportunity to meet other home learners and local teachers as we kick off the new school year. We’ll also be hosting a sandcastle contest—all ages welcome to participate. Snacks will be provided.
• Bring: Chair or blanket to sit on. Sandcastle building tools.

Miracle Beach

• Date: Friday, September 11th 2026
• Time: 10 am to 12 pm
• Address: Miracle Beach Provincial Park, 1720 Miracle Beach Dr, Black Creek. Meet at the Picnic Shelter (see map)
• Parking:
• Event: Wide games, Lego Table, snacks! We will once again host a Curriculum Swap. Please feel free to bring resources to swap or give away and take some new resources home! 
• Bring: Clothes for the weather and water bottles. Resources.

Victoria

• Date: Tuesday, September 15th
• Time: 10:30 am to 12 pm
• Address: Beckwith Park, 857 Beckwith Ave, Victoria, BC V8X 3S3
• Parking:
• Event: Join us to kick off the school year in community as you meet up with HCOS teachers, staff and other home educating families for a Week of Welcome with snacks, games and park play.
• Bring:  

Powell River

• Date: Wednesday, September 16th 2026
• Time: 2 to 4 pm
• Address: Willingdon Beach Park, 4845 Marine Ave, Powell River, BC V8A 1V4
• Parking: At the beach
• Event: Join us for an afternoon of family games, fun, and meeting other HCOS families. 
• Bring: The whole family, a snack to share, folding chairs for adults and a picnic blanket for kids. 
• RSVP: Please email ingrid.devilliers@onlineschool.ca by September 11th to register.